Illinois Median
$53,280
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $48,470
State Rank
#5 of 16
60 employed here
How much does a Model make in Illinois?
A Model working in Illinois earns a median salary of $53,280 per year, or about $25.62 per hour. That is 10% above the national median of $48,470 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $36,450 while the top 10% make $156,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,910 and $143,970 a year.
Model salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,450 | $17.52 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $42,910 | $20.63 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,280 | $25.62 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $143,970 | $69.22 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,000 | $75.00 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 5th out of 16 states and territories for Model pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Model salary in other states
Arizona $109,910New York $107,280New Jersey $60,520California $57,400Maryland $47,170Texas $46,840Florida $45,900Virginia $45,720Rhode Island $45,060Oregon $42,880Ohio $42,550Nebraska $41,600New Hampshire $39,890Missouri $34,610Georgia $15,080
Working as a Model in Illinois
Nationally, about 4,000 people work as Models in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($53,280) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Model make in Illinois?
The median Model salary in Illinois is $53,280 per year, or about $25.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,450 at the entry level to $156,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Models about 10% more than the national median of $48,470. Illinois ranks 5th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Models?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $53,280 a year. About 60 Models are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Model salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.