The average salary for a model in California is around $57,400 per year.
Avg Salary
Models earn an average yearly salary of $57,400.
Wages typically start from $35,400 and go up to $131,470.
11% below national average Updated in 2025
Model earnings by seniority
90th percentile
Top-level model earnings begin at:
$63.21 per hour
$131,470 per year
75th percentile
Senior-level model earnings begin at:
$51.88 per hour
$107,900 per year
50th percentile
Mid-level model earnings begin at:
$27.60 per hour
$57,400 per year
25th percentile
Junior-level model earnings begin at:
$17.02 per hour
$35,400 per year
10th percentile
Starting level model earnings begin at:
$17.02 per hour
$35,400 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Model salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $99,667 |
| New Jersey | $60,520 |
| California | $57,400 |
| Illinois | $53,280 |
| Maryland | $47,170 |
| Texas | $46,840 |
| Florida | $45,900 |
| Virginia | $45,720 |
| Rhode Island | $45,060 |
| Oregon | $42,880 |
| Ohio | $42,550 |
| Nebraska | $41,600 |
| New Hampshire | $39,890 |
| Wisconsin | $37,590 |
| Missouri | $34,610 |
| Washington | $34,000 |
| Idaho | $31,200 |
| Massachusetts | $23,770 |
| Tennessee | $18,450 |
| Iowa | $18,200 |
| Georgia | $15,080 |
| Arizona | $109,910 |
| New York | $107,280 |
How do model salaries compare to similar careers?
Models earn 39% more than similar careers in California. On average, they make more than sewing machine operators.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Model salary | $57K |
| Esthetician salary | $39K |
| Tailor salary | $44K |
| Hairdresser salary | $39K |
| Sewing machine operator salary | $38K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)