Models Salary
The median pay for a models in New York is $107,280/year ($51.58/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $214K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.21), that's roughly $109,235 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,917/month, or 29% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New York. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $107K get you in New York?
About models
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in New York
New York sits well above the national pay line for models, local pay runs about 121% higher than the U.S. median of $48K. Rent runs $1,917/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 98.21) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York
Entry-level models (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $107K. Top earners bring in $214K or more, a $169K spread from bottom to top.
Models salary by metro in New York
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $208K | +94% | 50 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $107K | +0% | N/A |
Compare to other states
Track models salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New York numbers change.
Related careers in Sales
Frequently asked questions
Can a model afford a 2BR apartment alone in New York?
Yes — at the median salary of $107K, rent takes 29.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,917/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for models in New York?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new models typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,683/month. At HUD’s $1,917/month FMR, rent would take 71% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is model a high-paying job in New York?
Local pay is 121% above the national median — $107K here vs. $48K nationally.
How does New York compare to the national average for models?
New York pays $107K median vs. the U.S. average of $48K — that’s +121%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.21), the purchasing-power equivalent is $109K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do models make in New York?
The median is $107,280 a year, that works out to about $52 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,720, and experienced models can clear $213,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $107K enough to live in New York?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,539/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,917/month, which eats 29.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a models salary go in New York?
New York has a Regional Price Parity of 98.21 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median models salary is worth about $109,235 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do models get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.