Models pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $44,260 a year or less, while the top 10% make $47,170 or more. The middle half of models in Washington earn between $47,170 and $47,170.
- $44K10th
- $47K25th
- $47KMedian
- $47K75th
- $47K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $46,570 | $3,881 | $22.39 |
| Median | $47,170 | $3,931 | $22.68 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $47,170 | $3,931 | $22.68 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $47,170 | $3,931 | $22.68 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Models pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Models in Washington earn 36% less than the U.S. average ($72,800). At the median the gap is -3% against the U.S. median of $48,470.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $46,570 | $47,170 | $44,260 | $47,170 | 30 |
| 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 Washington
On the average salary of $46,570, a single filer in Washington takes home about $37,971 a year, or $3,164 a month and $1,460 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $38,300 | $3,192 |
| Working in DC | $37,971 | $3,164 |
| Working in VA | $37,735 | $3,145 |
| Working in MD | $37,599 | $3,133 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for models? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $46,570 buys what about $42,770 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 12.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Models salary in nearby metro areas
- Philadelphia, PA$43,500
- New York, NY$109,200
- Rochester, NY$155,500
- Providence, RI$54,950
- Chicago, IL$82,850
- St. Louis, MO$38,600
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 Washington: questions
How much do models make an hour in Washington?
$22.39 an hour on average, and $22.68 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level models salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $44,260 a year and the 25th percentile is $47,170, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the models take-home pay in Washington?
About $37,971 a year ($3,164 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $46,570.
Do models earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 36% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.3%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.41, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.41).
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