Models Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for models in the U.S. is $48,470 ($23.30 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $48,470
- Mean annual wage
- $72,800
- Median hourly wage
- $23.30
- Employment
- 3,780
3,780 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,190 | $16.44 |
| 25th percentile | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Median (50th) | $48,470 | $23.30 |
| 75th percentile | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| 90th percentile | $131,470 | $63.21 |
Highest-paying states for models
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $109,910 | — |
| New York | $107,280 | — |
| New Jersey | $60,520 | — |
| California | $57,400 | 990 |
| Illinois | $53,280 | 60 |
| Maryland | $47,170 | 40 |
| Texas | $46,840 | — |
| Florida | $45,900 | 620 |
| Virginia | $45,720 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $45,060 | — |
Lowest-paying states
- Georgia: $15,080 median annual wage
- Missouri: $34,610 median annual wage
- New Hampshire: $39,890 median annual wage
- Nebraska: $41,600 median annual wage
- Ohio: $42,550 median annual wage
About this occupation
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. May pose as subject for paintings, sculptures, and other types of artistic expression.
Typical tasks
- Report job completions to agencies and obtain information about future appointments.
- Assemble and maintain portfolios, print composite cards, and travel to go-sees to obtain jobs.
- Dress in sample or completed garments, and select accessories.
- Pose as directed, or strike suitable interpretive poses for promoting and selling merchandise or fashions during appearances, filming, or photo sessions.
- Gather information from agents concerning the pay, dates, times, provisions, and lengths of jobs.
- Follow strict routines of diet, sleep, and exercise to maintain appearance.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: No formal educational credential
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 8.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 20.7% |
| Some college, no degree | 22.8% |
| Associate's degree | 12.1% |
| Bachelor's degree | 27.6% |
| Master's degree | 5.4% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 2.4% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Retail Salespersons$35,410
- Cashiers$32,880
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$69,990
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$72,080
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$48,520
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$78,660
- Insurance Sales Agents$62,280
- Counter and Rental Clerks$41,300
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.