Models Salary in U.S.

The salary statistics of models are shown in Table 1. In the next few tables we compare the average salaries of models within different industry sectors and in the 50 states of the United States. The models annual salary statistics are from the national compensation survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2022 and published in April 2023 [1].

Table 1. Models Salary in U.S. (2022 survey)

Percentile BracketAverage Annual Salary
10th Percentile Wage
$27,170
25th Percentile Wage
$29,540
50th Percentile Wage
$43,130
75th Percentile Wage
$95,000
90th Percentile Wage
$156,000

Table 1 shows the average annual salary for models. The average annual salary for the 90th percentile (the top 10 percent of the highest paid) models is $156,000. The median annual salary (50th percentile) is $43,130. The average annual salary for the bottom 10 percent is $27,170. Take note that in the United States, the annual salary of the 90th percentile (the top 10 percent of the highest paid) is almost 474% higher than that of the bottom 10 percent.

Median salary trend (2012 to 2022)

The table and chart below show the trend of the median salary of models from 2012 to 2022.

YearMedian SalaryYearly Growth10-Year Growth
2022
$43,130
26.01% 56.53%
2020
$31,910
11.16% -
2019
$28,350
16.16% -
2018
$23,770
3.66% -
2017
$22,900
4.50% -
2016
$21,870
-25.88% -
2015
$27,530
27.46% -
2014
$19,970
4.66% -
2013
$19,040
1.52% -
2012
$18,750
- -

Table 2. Models Salary by Industry Sector (2022 survey)

The average salaries of models in 8 major industry sectors are shown in Table 2. We note that the salaries vary considerably within different industry sectors. The highest paying industry sector for models occupations is the administrative and support and waste management and remediation services sector with an annual salary $133,410. The lowest paying sector is the retail trade sector (annual salary $24,500).

Industry Sector Median Annual Salary
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
$133,410
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
$127,270
Wholesale Trade
$52,720
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
$46,740
Educational Services
$43,150
Management of Companies and Enterprises
$33,590
Health Care and Social Assistance
$31,200
Retail Trade
$24,500

Table 3. Median Annual Wage of Models by States (2022 survey)

From the above tables we note that not only models salaries vary considerably based on one's education and experience, and the industry sectors, they also change considerably from state to state. In the following table we compare the median salary of models in all 50 states of the United States. We note that the median annual salaries range from $18,200 to $57,250. The highest paying state for models is New York with a median annual salary of $57,250. The lowest paying state is Iowa with a median annual salary of $18,200. For more salary information of models profession in a specific state, use the links in the table.

State Name Median Annual Salary
New York
$57,250
New Jersey
$52,540
Maryland
$42,160
South Carolina
$40,010
California
$39,950
Texas
$38,930
Illinois
$38,610
Pennsylvania
$37,900
Oregon
$37,600
Kentucky
$35,800
Washington
$35,250
Florida
$33,500
Wisconsin
$32,120
Idaho
$31,200
Georgia
$31,200
Missouri
$29,210
Virginia
$28,180
Ohio
$27,840
Arizona
$26,050
Kansas
$24,270
Massachusetts
$23,770
Tennessee
$18,740
Iowa
$18,200

Related:

💰 Highest paying states for models

💰 Highest paying cities for models

💰 Highest paying industries for models.