Models Salary
Sales and Related Occupations · 3.8K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$48,470
Median hourly
$23
Average annual
$72,800
Typical range
$34,190–$131,470
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Models is $48,470 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $23 an hour at a full-time schedule.
Model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments. May pose for photos to be used in magazines or advertisements.
Most earn between $34,190 and $131,470 a year. There are roughly 3.8K people employed as models in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Models.
- Hourly
- $23.30
- Daily
- $186
- Weekly
- $932
- Bi-weekly
- $1,864
- Monthly
- $4,039
- Annual
- $48,470
$48,470 a year is around the 50th percentile for Modelss. The median is $48,470.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1Arizona$109,910
- 2New York$107,280
- 3New Jersey$60,520
- 4California$57,400
- 5Illinois$53,280
- 6Maryland$47,170
- 7Texas$46,840
- 8Florida$45,900
- 9Virginia$45,720
- 10Rhode Island$45,060
- 11Oregon$42,880
- 12Ohio$42,550
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Rochester, NY$208,000
- 2Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$109,820
- 3New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$107,280
- 4Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL$99,320
- 5Anchorage, AK$81,520
- 6Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$53,700
- 7Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$51,150
- 8San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$48,570
- 9Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$47,170
- 10Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$45,060
- 11St. Louis, MO-IL$34,610
- 12Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$34,330
Related job titles
Employers advertise Models roles under these titles.
Related occupations
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators$55,490
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance$97,150
- Photographers$44,660
- Craft Artists$46,080
- Costume Attendants$50,400
- Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film$74,990
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$39,390
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters$39,320
What a Models does
- Pose for artists and photographers.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Models make?
- The median annual wage for Models is $48,470 ($23 per hour). Pay ranges from about $34,190 at the 10th percentile to $131,470 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Models?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $72,800, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Modelss the most?
- Arizona has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $109,910.
- Is Models a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 3.8K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Models do?
- Pose for artists and photographers..