Models pay range in Philadelphia
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,330 a year or less, while the top 10% make $56,520 or more. The middle half of models in Philadelphia earn between $34,330 and $50,380.
- $34K10th
- $34K25th
- $34KMedian
- $50K75th
- $57K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $43,500 | $3,625 | $20.91 |
| Median | $34,330 | $2,861 | $16.50 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $34,330 | $2,861 | $16.50 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $50,380 | $4,198 | $24.22 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Models pay in Philadelphia vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Models in Philadelphia earn 40% less than the U.S. average ($72,800). At the median the gap is -29% against the U.S. median of $48,470.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $43,500 | $34,330 | $34,330 | $56,520 | n/a |
| United States | $72,800 | $48,470 | $34,190 | $131,470 | 3,780 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Models salary after taxes in Philadelphia
On the average salary of $43,500, a single filer in Philadelphia takes home about $35,797 a year, or $2,983 a month and $1,377 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in NJ | $36,277 | $3,023 |
| Working in PA | $35,797 | $2,983 |
| Working in DE | $35,285 | $2,940 |
| Working in MD | $35,278 | $2,940 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Philadelphia a good place for models? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Philadelphia area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 102.6), so the average $43,500 buys what about $42,417 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Philadelphia ($54,310). A typical home costs $390,463, or 9.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Models salary in nearby metro areas
- New York, NY$109,200
- Washington, DC$46,570
- Providence, RI$54,950
- Rochester, NY$155,500
- Chicago, IL$82,850
- St. Louis, MO$38,600
Highest-paying cities for models
Rochester, NY pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($155,500).
- Rochester, NY$155,500
- Los Angeles, CA$111,390
- New York, NY$109,200
- Anchorage, AK$93,590
- Dallas, TX$92,410
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Models salary in Philadelphia: questions
How much do models make an hour in Philadelphia?
$20.92 an hour on average, and $16.51 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level models salary in Philadelphia?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,330 a year and the 25th percentile is $34,330, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the models take-home pay in Philadelphia?
About $35,797 a year ($2,983 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $43,500. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do models earn more in Philadelphia than elsewhere?
The average here is 40% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,800).
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; area Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD (37980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 25.7%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
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