Modeling is a much sought-after gig for beautiful people across the globe. Money earned is a critical topic for both prospective models and those interested in the profession. The following is an in-depth look at how much do models make from the start of their career all the way to superstardom.
How much do models make: it does matter where they are
What State You Work in Matters
There is no set wage for models across different states. Models in some areas tend to earn more money than others. California is the best place to model, with an average income of about $42,000. How much do models make in the rest of the country? Colorado models earn around $40,000 per year. Ohio, Washington, and Missouri are next in line, netting an average of $38k, $30k, and $29k, respectively.
Industry they specialize in affects how much models will make
Industry Matters, Too
Promoting products for different industries can also create wide gaps in prospective income. How much do models make in the most lucrative industry? Models in professional, scientific, and technical services sectors earn around $51,000 per year. By contrast, models who sell products for educational services earn an average of $33,000 annually.
How much do models make: experience adds value
Tenure Means Business
The largest gap for models is, of course, their experience level. New models earn an average salary of $32,000 while more tenured models earn up to $42,000 in annual income.
Many models need a second job
Payment Isn't Consistent
Even with the figures mentioned above, the payment system for models is not the traditional weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly level most people live by. Models often go weeks, sometimes months without work. For professional models, this means more time to vacation. For newcomers, this means a second job is a must.
How much do models make: diverse portfolio means more opportunities
Payment Through Exposure
Beyond the large gaps in payment, some jobs, especially those for new models, can be devoid of any wage at all. Young models may take on many free or low-paying gigs to gain exposure and important contacts that could help them develop their portfolio.
How much models make depends on the brands they choose to work with
A Day in the Life for an Upstart Model
To answer the question of how much do models make when they are starting out, here is a general idea of what a new runway model can expect to make. More widely-known brands are known to pay anywhere between $800 and $1000 per shoot, while lesser-known brands surprisingly pay much more. Online stores tend to pay more than average, with payments ranging wildly between $300 and $2500 per shoot. Don't pass on smaller brands.
How much do models make: take a peek at some of Victoria's Secret models' salaries
Salary of Victoria's Secret Models
The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is the most famous runway walk in the world. As such, it is estimated that the models earn $100,000 each for their performance. That said, one may wonder how much do models make when they are household names. Adriana Lima earns about $9 million per year, Alessandra Ambrosio and Candace Swanepoel net around $5 million annually, and Lily Aldridge pulls in about $2 million as the face of Michael Kors.