What Does A Model Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Models

Models model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments. May pose for photos to be used in magazines or advertisements. May pose as subject for paintings, sculptures, and other types of artistic expression.

Salary
$54050
Becoming One
Very Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

Models model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments. May pose for photos to be used in magazines or advertisements. May pose as subject for paintings, sculptures, and other types of artistic expression.

  • Record rates of pay and durations of jobs on vouchers.
  • Report job completions to agencies and obtain information about future appointments.
  • Pose for artists and photographers.
  • Gather information from agents concerning the pay, dates, times, provisions, and lengths of jobs.

Typical day

  • On a daily basis, Models apply makeup to face and style hair to enhance appearance, considering such factors as color, camera techniques, and facial features. They follow strict routines of diet, sleep, and exercise to maintain appearance.

    • Report job completions to agencies and obtain information about future appointments.
    • Gather information from agents concerning the pay, dates, times, provisions, and lengths of jobs.
    • Record rates of pay and durations of jobs on vouchers.
    • Work closely with photographers, fashion coordinators, directors, producers, stylists, make-up artists, other models, and clients to produce the desired looks, and to finish photo shoots on schedule.
    • Pose for artists and photographers.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Models also assemble and maintain portfolios, print composite cards, and travel to go-sees to obtain jobs. They may also pose as directed, or strike suitable interpretive poses for promoting and selling merchandise or fashions during appearances, filming, or photo sessions.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Models dress in a sample or completed garments, and select accessories. They might also display clothing and merchandise in commercials, advertisements, or fashion shows.

In addition, they make many quick changes backstage during fashion shows and yet maintain a poised appearance before audiences.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them pose for artists and photographers.

To some Models, it is also their responsibility to promote products and services in television commercials, on film, or in videos.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

63% said they were satisfied with their job and 42% said they found their job meaningful.


It is important that I schedule out my day. If I have a shoot, working on a fashion line, or other projects, I keep myself on a schedule. I love the mornings, waking up at 5 am and starting my day with a 20 min transcendental meditation, and journal, followed by a 1 hour workout … Read More


I’ve modeled for almost 25 years now, first starting when I was in high school and continuing on professionally ever since. A typical day of work is in fact not a day on set. More typical days are those without bookings but still working towards them. They are days spent focusing on health, wellness and … Read More


Self-employed

As an artist, working as a model has always been a creative outlet for me. There is something magical about being in front of the camera and creating art. I’m a dancer, so movement and posing comes naturally to me in front of the camera. Surprisingly, being a good listener (I’ve always been an empath) … Read More


Self-employed

I am a full-time international model for over 9 years now. I am based in Las Vegas as well as Austria, traveling full time and I received my Green Card as a ballerina model. The reality is: Every day is different! When I am on tour I shoot 8-12 hours a day. Those are long … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to work with designs.

Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is very easy to get into this career. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Short working hours (Less than 40 hours per week).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.

One of the lowest paying jobs.

How much do they make

Average salary

$54050 per year

Average hourly wage

$26 per hour

Entry-level Models with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $24,970 to $25,660 per year or $12 to $12 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $124,730 $60
Senior (Top 25%) $48,730 $23
Median $31,910 $15
Junior (Bottom 25%) $25,660 $12
No experience (Bottom 10%) $24,970 $12

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Models based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers $111330 $53.52
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools $41730 $20.06
Junior Colleges $40680 $19.56
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses $36370 $17.49
Specialized Design Services $30210 $14.52
Clothing Stores $25480 $12.25
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services $ $*

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Models work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Models including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 610 $41730 $20.06
Junior Colleges 200 $40680 $19.56
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses 70 $36370 $17.49
Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers 70 $111330 $53.52
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 30 $ $*
Clothing Stores $25480 $12.25
Specialized Design Services $30210 $14.52

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
92%

40 hours
0%

More than 40 hours
8%

Working schedule

33%

55%

12%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
39%

Every day
33%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
10%

Every day
41%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
33%

Every day
29%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
88%

Once a year
2%

Once a month
7%

Once a week
3%

Every day
1%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
27%

Slightly competitive
7%

Moderately competitive
43%

Highly competitive
3%

Extremely competitive
20%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
7%

Once a year or more
11%

Once a month or more
9%

Once a week or more
4%

Every day
69%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
62%

Once a year or more
34%

Once a month or more
3%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
70%

Once a year or more
17%

Once a month or more
13%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
74%

Once a year or more
13%

Once a month or more
13%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Very Easy
You need little to no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category don’t require a degree. However, you may need a few days to a few months of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Waiters, Logging Machine Operators, and Cashiers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
88%

High School Diploma or equivalent
5%

Post-Secondary Certificate
1%

Some College Courses
0%

Associate’s Degree or similar
7%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Fashion Modeling

A program that prepares individuals to present and display fashion, apparel, and accessories products in wholesale and retail settings, either on the person or via props and natural or artificial settings. Includes instruction in modeling skills, health and cosmetic principles, fashion show management, display design and production, and applicable aspects of advertising and fashion photography.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
81%

1 month
3%

1 to 3 months
8%

3 to 6 months
4%

6 months to 1 year
2%

1 to 2 years
0%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 6 years
0%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
2%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
64%

1 month
32%

1 to 3 months
2%

3 to 6 months
2%

6 months to 1 year
0%

1 to 2 years
0%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Artist

People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.

The Builder
67%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
14%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
90%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
19%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
76%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
38%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
24%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
38%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
57%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
71%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
24%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
24%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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