How much does a model maker make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $30.45 an hour or $5,278 a month.
- Hourly
- $30.45
- Average (mean)
- $68,570
- Jobs
- 2,610
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,760 | $19.12 | |
| 25th | $47,360 | $22.77 | |
| Median | $63,340 | $30.45 | |
| 75th | $86,740 | $41.70 | |
| 90th | $99,010 | $47.60 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| California | $92,960 |
| Florida | $79,930 |
| New York | $77,710 |
| New Jersey | $72,340 |
| Illinois | $68,890 |
| Massachusetts | $67,830 |
| Texas | $65,920 |
| Indiana | $62,620 |
| Iowa | $61,550 |
| Ohio | $60,880 |
| Michigan | $60,540 |
| Rhode Island | $55,560 |
| Utah | $53,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,990 |
| North Carolina | $45,760 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Los Angeles, CA | $94,950 |
| Dallas, TX | $89,960 |
| San Francisco, CA | $84,780 |
| Detroit, MI | $81,110 |
| New York, NY | $77,710 |
| Rochester, NY | $76,520 |
| Boston, MA | $70,980 |
| Chicago, IL | $68,890 |
| Providence, RI | $58,500 |
| Raleigh, NC | $45,760 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $44,220 |
In other countries
Model Maker belongs to the international group "Toolmakers and related workers".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter$47,720
- Forging Machine Setter$49,030
- Rolling Machine Setter$50,140
- Cutting$46,330
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter$49,080
- Grinding$46,550
- Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter$50,620
- Milling and Planing Machine Setter$52,800
- Machinist$58,750
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender$54,430
Frequently asked questions
How much does a model maker make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $30.45 ($63,340 a year).
How much does a model maker make a month?
About $5,278 a month before tax, based on a median of $63,340 a year.
How much does a model maker make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,760 or less a year ($19.12 an hour); the top 10% make $99,010 or more.
Which state pays model makers the most?
California, with a median of $92,960 a year, followed by Florida ($79,930) and New York ($77,710).
Which city pays model makers the most?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, with a median of $94,950 a year.
How many model makers are there in the United States?
About 2,610 people work as model makers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.