Models salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,190 | $16.44 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $48,470 | $23.30 |
| Mean (average) | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| 90th percentile | $131,470 | $63.21 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Models pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 16 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $109,910 | $35,050 | $109,920 | ||
| California | $57,400 | $35,400 | $131,470 | 990 | 2.23 |
| Florida | $45,900 | $34,190 | $99,320 | 620 | 2.55 |
| Georgia | $15,080 | $15,080 | $55,790 | 130 | 1.05 |
| Illinois | $53,280 | $36,450 | $156,000 | 60 | 0.38 |
| Maryland | $47,170 | $40,980 | $47,170 | 40 | 0.65 |
| Missouri | $34,610 | $28,600 | $45,380 | ||
| Nebraska | $41,600 | $40,730 | $42,790 | ||
| New Hampshire | $39,890 | $35,080 | $46,840 | ||
| New Jersey | $60,520 | $50,290 | $117,070 | ||
| New York | $107,280 | $44,720 | $213,740 | ||
| Ohio | $42,550 | $31,990 | $67,790 | 120 | 0.85 |
| Oregon | $42,880 | $33,450 | $45,720 | 40 | 0.74 |
| Rhode Island | $45,060 | $45,060 | $45,070 | ||
| Texas | $46,840 | $29,010 | $72,850 | ||
| Virginia | $45,720 | $31,910 | $48,820 | 40 | 0.35 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for models
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 700. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 7.6%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for models
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Fashion Modeling CIP 52.1903
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Pose for artists and photographers.
Technology skills
- Apple Safari (hot technology)
- Apple iOS (hot technology)
- Facebook (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Tumblr
- Web browser software
- YouTube
Transferable skills for career changers: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Time Management, Judgment and Decision Making, Persuasion, Negotiation.
Common job titles: Art Class Model, Art Model, Artist's Model, Figure Model, Fine Arts Model, Life Drawing Model, Model, Nude Model, Studio Model, Undraped Artist Model.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do models make?
The national median annual wage for models was $48,470 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $34,190 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $131,470. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do models need?
BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is models a growing career?
BLS projects employment of models to change -2.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 700 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay models the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Arizona ($109,910), New York ($107,280), New Jersey ($60,520). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.