Models pay range in San Francisco
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,320 a year or less, while the top 10% make $113,120 or more. The middle half of models in San Francisco earn between $35,960 and $74,940.
- $34K10th
- $36K25th
- $49KMedian
- $75K75th
- $113K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $59,630 | $4,969 | $28.67 |
| Median | $48,570 | $4,048 | $23.35 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $35,960 | $2,997 | $17.29 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $74,940 | $6,245 | $36.03 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Models pay in San Francisco vs. California and the U.S.
Models in San Francisco earn 18% less than the California average ($72,810) and 18% less than the U.S. average ($72,800). At the median the gap is +0% against the U.S. median of $48,470.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $59,630 | $48,570 | $34,320 | $113,120 | n/a |
| California | $72,810 | $57,400 | $35,400 | $131,470 | 990 |
| United States | $72,800 | $48,470 | $34,190 | $131,470 | 3,780 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Models salary after taxes in San Francisco
On the average salary of $59,630, a single filer in San Francisco takes home about $48,322 a year, or $4,027 a month and $1,859 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Francisco a good place for models? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Francisco area are 16% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 115.6), so the average $59,630 buys what about $51,577 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in San Francisco ($74,260). A typical home costs $1,149,215, or 19.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Models salary in other California cities
San Francisco ranks 2nd of 2 California metro areas for this job; Los Angeles pays the most ($111,390).
- Los Angeles$111,390
- San Francisco$59,630
Highest-paying cities for models
Rochester, NY pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($155,500).
- Rochester, NY$155,500
- Los Angeles, CA$111,390
- New York, NY$109,200
- Anchorage, AK$93,590
- Dallas, TX$92,410
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Models salary in San Francisco: questions
How much do models make an hour in San Francisco?
$28.67 an hour on average, and $23.35 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level models salary in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,320 a year and the 25th percentile is $35,960, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the models take-home pay in San Francisco?
About $48,322 a year ($4,027 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $59,630. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do models earn more in San Francisco than elsewhere?
The average here is 18% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,800).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 41-9012; area San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (41860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
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