Model salary in New York
Models in New York earn a median of $107,280 a year ($51.58 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $44,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,740 for the top 10%. That is 121% higher than the national median of $48,470. New York ranks 2nd of 16 states for models pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. The average (mean) salary is $116,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for models in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| 25th percentile | $91,620 | $44.05 |
| Median | $107,280 | $51.58 |
| 75th percentile | $160,920 | $77.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,740 | $102.76 |
| Average (mean) | $116,450 | $55.98 |
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 | $8,940 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,470 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,126.15 |
| Weekly | $2,063.08 |
| Hourly | $51.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Model salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | $208,000 | 50 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $107,280 | 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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $102,990 | $49.51 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Sales Engineer | $137,480 | $66.10 |
| Telemarketer | $41,400 | $19.91 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $55,270 | $26.57 |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,720 | $18.13 |
| Cashier | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $92,190 | $44.32 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $168,340 | $80.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $46,270 | $22.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $121,780 | $58.55 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for models in New York is $107,280 a year, or $51.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid models make in New York?
The top 10% of models in New York earn at least $213,740 a year. The top 25% earn $160,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for models in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,720 a year, and a quarter of models earn $91,620 or less.