Careers / Models

Models — Career Decision Dashboard

United States

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Median annual wage

$48,470

United States, 2025

Employment

3,780

United States, 2025

Typical education

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)

Job Zone 2

Skills identified

35

10 related careers

Career overview

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.

O*NET code
41-9012.00
Job zone
2
Experience required
None

Typical tasks

  • Pose for artists and photographers.
  • Record rates of pay and durations of jobs on vouchers.
  • Gather information from agents concerning the pay, dates, times, provisions, and lengths of jobs.
  • 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.
  • Pose as directed, or strike suitable interpretive poses for promoting and selling merchandise or fashions during appearances, filming, or photo sessions.
  • Follow strict routines of diet, sleep, and exercise to maintain appearance.
  • Apply makeup to face and style hair to enhance appearance, considering such factors as color, camera techniques, and facial features.

Choose a location

Salary analysis — United States

$34,190
10th
$35,710
25th
$48,470
Median
$99,320
75th
$131,470
90th

10th percentile

$34,190

25th percentile

$35,710

75th percentile

$99,320

90th percentile

$131,470

Most important skills

  • Social Perceptiveness2.9
  • Speaking2.8
  • Active Listening2.8
  • Coordination2.6
  • Critical Thinking2.6
  • Time Management2.5
  • Reading Comprehension2.5
  • Judgment and Decision Making2.1
  • Persuasion2.0
  • Negotiation2.0
  • Writing2.0
  • Complex Problem Solving1.9

What skills do you need?

No skill ratings are recorded for this occupation in the current O*NET release.

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Talent Directors

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How salary varies by location

LocationMedianEmploymentYear
Rochester, NY$208,000502025
AZ$109,9102025
Los Angeles, CA$109,8204002025
New York, NY$107,2802025
NY$107,2802025
Miami, FL$99,3202025
Anchorage, AK$81,520402025
NJ$60,5202025
CA$57,4009902025
Chicago, IL$53,700502025
IL$53,280602025
Dallas, TX$51,1502025
San Francisco, CA$48,5702025
Washington, DC$47,170302025
MD$47,170402025
TX$46,8402025
FL$45,9006202025
VA$45,720402025
RI$45,0602025
Providence, RI$45,0602025
All locations with published data

Career transition paths

Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Models to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.

Build a transition comparison

Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0.

Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).

Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.