Answering a Reader Question #403

Erik T Wrote:


Hello I was just wondering what the average female and male model makes when they are not particularly famous. Also what how much does a model really get paid when they go and do a commercial/print, and runway show.

Thank You -Erik T

Hey, Erik T! According to labor studies done on the subject, the average working model makes about $30,000 - $40,000/year. So basically the equivalent of working a traditional full-time job. However, unless a model is able to book consistently paying work, that actual amount is probably a lot less...more like $17,000.

The pay rates for print shoots varies from client to client and budget to budget. Same goes for runway shows. There are no set rates that everyone goes by. It's not an ideal answer to this frequently asked question but that's the reality of it.

The more reputable/well known the client is, the bigger the budget will typically be but that's not always the case. For example, I've attended castings for print jobs for Verizon and the listed daily pay rate was $2,500. However, I've been booked for a print job for Wells Fargo and they're only paying a day rate of $250.

In many fashion shows, the models work for clothes and exposure as compensation. This includes agency represented models that hope to get in good with a designer to possibly be considered for future paying work. However, there are paid fashion shows, which range in pay rate but it's usually low (I'm talking about your average runway model, not the big name male and females that can command the highest rates).  It's not uncommon for a runway show to pay its models a day rate of $200 plus possibly a little extra (like $50/hour) for the fitting time.

Similar to the print jobs, the more well known a designer is, the more likely they are to pay models. Experience also plays a part in the pay rate. Newer models may work for free (clothes) and then start to get paid as they gain more experience doing shows.

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