How much does a Model make?
A Model earns a median annual salary of $48,470 in the United States, which works out to roughly $23.30 per hour for full-time work. Most Models earn between $34,190 at the entry level and $131,470 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $35,710 and $99,320 a year.
That is $12,920 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Model salary range by percentile
Half of all Models earn between $35,710 and $99,320 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,190 | $16.44 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,710 | $17.17 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,470 | $23.30 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $99,320 | $47.75 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,470 | $63.21 |
Highest-paying states for Model
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Arizona leads the country for Model pay at $109,910 a year, followed by New York ($107,280) and New Jersey ($60,520). At the other end, Georgia posts the lowest median at $15,080 — a gap of $94,830 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | $109,910 | $52.84 | +127% |
| 2 | New York | $107,280 | $51.58 | +121% |
| 3 | New Jersey | $60,520 | $29.10 | +25% |
| 4 | California | $57,400 | $27.60 | +18% |
| 5 | Illinois | $53,280 | $25.62 | +10% |
Model salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 16 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 4,000 people work as Models in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $72,800 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Model make in the United States?
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