Models
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$89,990
~$43/hr · ~$7,499/mo
US Jobs
7K
Decline
AI & Automation Risk
8/10
High Risk
AI & Automation Risk
High Risk 8/10
While runway and live event modeling require physical presence, the majority of modeling work results in digital or print imagery which is highly vulnerable to AI-generated synthetic media. AI can now create hyper-realistic virtual models or 'digital twins' of existing models, allowing brands to showcase clothing and products without physical photo shoots, significantly reducing the demand for human labor in commercial and catalog sectors.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJBEST VALUE | $89,990 | Above avg (112.6) | $79,888 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $66,310 | Above avg (114.7) | $57,787 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $52,140 | Average (102.4) | $50,936 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $50,760 | Average (102.5) | $49,529 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $49,510 | Average (102.5) | $48,307 |
| Cleveland, OH | $44,080 | Below avg (92.9) | $47,444 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $49,780 | Above avg (113.1) | $44,030 |
| Akron, OH | $38,830 | Below avg (92.9) | $41,787 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $45,760 | Above avg (109.5) | $41,774 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $39,780 | Above avg (107.3) | $37,059 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
No formal educational credential
10-Year Growth
-1% (Decline)
Hourly Rate
~$43/hr
Monthly Income
~$7,499/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)