Models pay in California
In California, the median pay for models is $27.60 an hour ($57,400 a year). About 990 people work in this job there.
That is 18% higher than the U.S. median ($48,470). California ranks 4th of 16 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for models in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.02 | $35,400 |
| 25% of workers | $17.02 | $35,400 |
| Half of workers (median) | $27.60 | $57,400 |
| 75% of workers | $51.88 | $107,900 |
| 90% of workers | $63.21 | $131,470 |
Models pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $109,820 | 400 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $48,570 | 0 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for models
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: Up to 1 month (O*NET)
- Job outlook: -2.1% over ten years, declining · about 700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $46,220 |
| Photographers | $47,840 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $106,900 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $58,240 |
| Dancers | $45,323 |
| Costume Attendants | $72,030 |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $140,870 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $52,810 |
Other job titles for this job
Open models jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring models? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.