Models: Job Description
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.
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What Do Models Take On?
The core tasks performed by models cover:
- Pose for artists and photographers.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective models rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
These are the skills that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Models Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Agent Model
- Art Class Model
- Art Model
- Artist's Model
- Character Impersonator
- Clothes Model
- Fashion Model
- Figure Model
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 1,282,821 models working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +5.6% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Models Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $47,704 |
| Hourly median | $22.93 |
| 10th percentile | $33,342 |
| 25th percentile | $40,523 |
| 75th percentile | $54,885 |
| 90th percentile | $62,066 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $89,990 |
| California | $62,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,530 |
| Indiana | $51,570 |
| Alaska | $49,880 |
| Texas | $49,510 |
| Illinois | $46,960 |
| Maryland | $45,760 |
| Virginia | $44,860 |
| Florida | $44,510 |
| Ohio | $39,310 |
| New Jersey | $33,970 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Earnings for models differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $62,400 | 57.9% | 1.41 |
| Middle Atlantic | $55,176 | 9.9% | 0.52 |
| Southeast | $44,860 | 3.3% | 0.34 |
| Great Lakes | $40,266 | 26.3% | 1.62 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $89,990 | |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $66,310 | 600 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | PA | $52,140 | 80 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | IL | $50,760 | |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $49,780 | 60 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | TX | $49,510 | |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $45,760 | 50 |
| Cleveland, OH | OH | $44,080 |
Which Industries Hire Models
The largest employers of models work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Services | 1,210 | $43,310 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 560 | $46,870 |
| Information | 390 | $124,380 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 140 | $64,820 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 140 | n/a |
Models work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Operating system software: Apple iOS (hot technology)
- Internet browser software: Apple Safari (hot technology)
- Web page creation and editing software: Facebook (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of models reflects the following characteristics:
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Contact With Others
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Freedom to Make Decisions
How to Become Models
Most models positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Art Directors (Supplemental)
- Craft Artists (Primary-Short)
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (Primary-Short)
- Special Effects Artists and Animators (Supplemental)
- Fashion Designers (Primary-Long)
- Graphic Designers (Supplemental)
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers (Supplemental)
- Set and Exhibit Designers (Supplemental)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Students preparing for models typically earn programs in:
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 41-9012.00 (Models).
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