How much does a model make in California?
$57,400a year
Median yearly pay for models in California. That is $27.60 an hour or $4,783 a month.
- Hourly
- $27.60
- Vs. national median
- +18%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 16
- Jobs in the state
- 990
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,400Median: $57,400Highest 10%: $131,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,400 | $17.02 | |
| 25th | $35,400 | $17.02 | |
| Median | $57,400 | $27.60 | |
| 75th | $107,900 | $51.88 | |
| 90th | $131,500 | $63.21 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Los Angeles, CA | $109,800 |
| San Francisco, CA | $48,570 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for models.
| 1. Arizona | $109,900 |
| 2. New York | $107,300 |
| 3. New Jersey | $60,520 |
| 4. California | $57,400 |
| 5. Illinois | $53,280 |
| 6. Maryland | $47,170 |
| 7. Texas | $46,840 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a model make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $27.60 ($57,400 a year).
Do models make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $57,400 against $48,470 nationally, 18% more.
Where does California rank for model pay?
California ranks 4 of 16 states.
Which city in California pays models the most?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, with a median of $109,800 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.