Models Salary in California
Models in California earn a median annual wage of $57,400 —18.4% above the national median of $48,470. That ranks CA #4 of 16 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 2.23× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for models
All 16 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | $109,910 | $52.84 | — | — |
| 2 | New York | $107,280 | $51.58 | — | — |
| 3 | New Jersey | $60,520 | $29.10 | — | — |
| 4 | California | $57,400 | $27.60 | 990 | 2.23 |
| 5 | Illinois | $53,280 | $25.62 | 60 | 0.38 |
| 6 | Maryland | $47,170 | $22.68 | 40 | 0.65 |
| 7 | Texas | $46,840 | $22.52 | — | — |
| 8 | Florida | $45,900 | $22.07 | 620 | 2.55 |
| 9 | Virginia | $45,720 | $21.98 | 40 | 0.35 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $45,060 | $21.66 | — | — |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | $38,440 | $35,410 |
| Cashiers | $37,100 | $32,880 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $80,850 | $69,990 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $76,490 | $72,080 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $54,870 | $48,520 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $79,730 | $78,660 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do models make in California?
The median annual wage for models in California is $57,400, or $27.60 per hour. That is 18.4% above the national median of $48,470.
What is the entry-level models salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $35,400 per year ($17.02/hour). The 25th percentile is $35,400.
How many people work as models in California?
About 990 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for models?
California ranks #4 of 16 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 2.23x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays models the most?
Arizona has the highest median wage at $109,910 per year, followed by New York ($107,280) and New Jersey ($60,520).