Top 12 cities for models by average salary
| Rochester, NY | $155,500 |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $111,390 |
| New York, NY | $109,200 |
| Anchorage, AK | $93,590 |
| Dallas, TX | $92,410 |
| Chicago, IL | $82,850 |
| Miami, FL | $70,330 |
| San Francisco, CA | $59,630 |
| Providence, RI | $54,950 |
| Washington, DC | $46,570 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $43,500 |
| St. Louis, MO | $38,600 |
Map: Models salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Models salary by state
New York pays models the most statewide, $116,450 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $116,450 | $107,280 | n/a | 2 | $155,500 | $109,200 |
| Alaska | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $93,590 | $93,590 |
| Arizona | $87,790 | $109,910 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Illinois | $80,460 | $53,280 | 60 | 1 | $82,850 | $82,850 |
| California | $72,810 | $57,400 | 990 | 2 | $111,390 | $59,630 |
| Florida | $65,990 | $45,900 | 620 | 1 | $70,330 | $70,330 |
| New Jersey | $64,230 | $60,520 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $54,350 | $46,840 | n/a | 1 | $92,410 | $92,410 |
| Rhode Island | $48,760 | $45,060 | n/a | 1 | $54,950 | $54,950 |
| Ohio | $48,370 | $42,550 | 120 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Virginia | $47,780 | $45,720 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $46,570 | $46,570 |
| Maryland | $45,080 | $47,170 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $43,500 | $43,500 |
| Nebraska | $43,300 | $41,600 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Hampshire | $40,780 | $39,890 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oregon | $40,320 | $42,880 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | $35,330 | $34,610 | n/a | 1 | $38,600 | $38,600 |
| Georgia | $28,840 | $15,080 | 130 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Models salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | $155,500 | $208,000 | $74.76 | 50 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $111,390 | $109,820 | $53.55 | 400 |
| New York, NY | $109,200 | $107,280 | $52.50 | n/a |
| Anchorage, AK | $93,590 | $81,520 | $45.00 | 40 |
| Dallas, TX | $92,410 | $51,150 | $44.43 | n/a |
| Chicago, IL | $82,850 | $53,700 | $39.83 | 50 |
| Miami, FL | $70,330 | $99,320 | $33.81 | n/a |
| San Francisco, CA | $59,630 | $48,570 | $28.67 | n/a |
| Providence, RI | $54,950 | $45,060 | $26.42 | n/a |
| Washington, DC | $46,570 | $47,170 | $22.39 | 30 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $43,500 | $34,330 | $20.92 | n/a |
| St. Louis, MO | $38,600 | $34,610 | $18.56 | n/a |
Related jobs
- Real Estate Sales AgentsU.S. average $69,510
- Sales and Related Workers, All OtherU.S. average $58,510
- Demonstrators and Product PromotersU.S. average $45,580
- Sales EngineersU.S. average $130,140
- TelemarketersU.S. average $37,370
- Real Estate BrokersU.S. average $83,950
- Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related WorkersU.S. average $43,850
Models salary: questions
Where do models make the most money?
In Rochester, NY, with an average of $155,500 a year, among the 12 metro areas we cover.
What is the average models salary in the U.S.?
$72,800 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $48,470, so half of models earn more than that and half less.
What salary should models ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of models nationwide earn between $35,710 (25th percentile) and $99,320 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays models the most?
New York, with a statewide average of $116,450 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is models pay the lowest?
St. Louis, MO, at $38,600 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 41-9012.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.