Model salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Models in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area earn a median of $107,280 a year ($51.58 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $50,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,920 for the top 10%. That is 121% higher than the national median of $48,470. Pay here is about the same as the New York statewide median of $107,280. The average (mean) salary is $109,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for models in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,290 | $24.18 |
| 25th percentile | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Median | $107,280 | $51.58 |
| 75th percentile | $107,280 | $51.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,920 | $77.37 |
| Average (mean) | $109,200 | $52.50 |
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.
Buying a home? On a $107,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Model salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | $208,000 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,330 | 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 |
See Model pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $103,550 | $49.78 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $74,530 | $35.83 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $44,980 | $21.62 |
| Sales Engineer | $147,570 | $70.95 |
| Telemarketer | $41,400 | $19.91 |
| Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| Retail Salesperson | $38,280 | $18.40 |
| Cashier | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $81,140 | $39.01 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $167,890 | $80.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $116,980 | $56.24 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
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-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?
The median salary for models in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area is $107,280 a year, or $51.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid models make in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?
The top 10% of models in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area earn at least $160,920 a year. The top 25% earn $107,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for models in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,290 a year, and a quarter of models earn $65,930 or less.