Models Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $50,760 -43.6% vs national
Median hourly $24.41
10th percentile $38,250
90th percentile $64,730
National median $89,990

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Models
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,250
    25th
    $48,630
    50th (median)
    $50,760
    75th
    $51,570
    90th
    $64,730

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Models salary vs area income 57% Median Models salary is 43% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Models

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Rochester, NY $208,000
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $99,320
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $89,990
    New York $89,990
    Anchorage, AK $81,520
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $66,310

    Nearby metros — Models salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $52,140
    Illinois $46,960
    St. Louis, MO-IL $34,610

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Retail Salespersons $34,910
    Cashiers $33,680
    Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel $65,060
    Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products $69,080
    First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $48,530
    Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents $95,910

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Models make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Models in Chicago, IL-IN is $24.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $75.00 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Models salaries?

    The median Models salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 43.6% below the national median of $89,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Models in Chicago?

    Entry-level Models (10th percentile) earn around $38,250 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,630.