Model salary in Illinois
Models in Illinois earn a median of $53,280 a year ($25.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,000 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $48,470. Illinois ranks 5th of 16 states for models pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.01 models per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $80,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for models in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,450 | $17.53 |
| 25th percentile | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Median | $53,280 | $25.62 |
| 75th percentile | $143,970 | $69.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,000 | $75.00 |
| Average (mean) | $80,460 | $38.68 |
Half of models earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,440 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,220 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,049.23 |
| Weekly | $1,024.62 |
| Hourly | $25.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Model salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $53,700 | 50 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $34,610 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for models
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $109,910 |
| New York | $107,280 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Sales Engineer | $99,710 | $47.94 |
| Real Estate Broker | $62,540 | $30.07 |
| Telemarketer | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Cashier | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,370 | $17.00 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $66,900 | $32.17 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $64,280 | $30.90 |
| Parts Salesperson | $42,240 | $20.31 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 41-9012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a model make in Illinois?
The median salary for models in Illinois is $53,280 a year, or $25.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid models make in Illinois?
The top 10% of models in Illinois earn at least $156,000 a year. The top 25% earn $143,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for models in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,450 a year, and a quarter of models earn $42,910 or less.
How many models work in Illinois?
About 60 models are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.