How much does a model make in Chicago?
$53,700a year
Median yearly pay for models in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $25.82 an hour or $4,475 a month.
- Hourly
- $25.82
- Vs. national median
- +11%
- Rank among cities
- 6 of 12
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $45,330Median: $53,700Highest 10%: $156,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,330 | $21.79 | |
| 25th | $45,330 | $21.79 | |
| Median | $53,700 | $25.82 | |
| 75th | $156,000 | $75.00 | |
| 90th | $156,000 | $75.00 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for models.
| St. Louis, MO | $34,610 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Sales Representative | $112,200 |
| Sales Engineer | $104,100 |
| Security | $100,800 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Worker | $91,070 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $75,590 |
| Sales Representative | $75,350 |
| Sales Representatives of Service | $70,710 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $69,240 |
| Real Estate Broker | $67,320 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $61,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a model make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $25.82 ($53,700 a year).
Do models make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $53,700 against $48,470 nationally, 11% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $53,280, so Chicago pays 1% more.
Where does Chicago rank for model pay?
6 of 12 metro areas with data.
How much does a model make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $45,330 or less a year; the top 10% make $156,000 or more.
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.