Model Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Models in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
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 levelAnnual salaryHourly 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:

RankStateMedian salary
1Arizona$109,910
2New York$107,280
3New Jersey$60,520
4California$57,400
5Illinois$53,280

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.