How much does a model maker make?
The median model maker in the United States earns $62,700 per year, about $30.14 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all model makers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-4061.
Model maker salary range
Pay for model makers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,430 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $95,780. The average (mean) wage of $65,840 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,430 | $18.47 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,860 | $23.49 | |
| Median (50th) | $62,700 | $30.14 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $79,470 | $38.21 | |
| 90th percentile | $95,780 | $46.05 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for model makers, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Model maker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Model makers earn the most in Georgia at $84,700 a year, and the least in Rhode Island at $33,330. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $84,700 | 30 |
| California | $77,970 | 350 |
| New York | $73,840 | 120 |
| Ohio | $68,530 | 240 |
| Florida | $67,600 | 50 |
| Illinois | $66,660 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $65,600 | 110 |
| Indiana | $59,800 | 60 |
| Michigan | $59,100 | 1,210 |
| Missouri | $57,280 | 50 |
| Iowa | $52,400 | 60 |
| Utah | $51,960 | 70 |
| Minnesota | $51,620 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $46,680 | 70 |
| Texas | $45,880 | 160 |
| New Jersey | $43,000 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $33,330 | 40 |
State median wages for model makers, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for model makers
The BLS projects employment of model makers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 17.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 2,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 2,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 200 openings a year for model makers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a model maker
The typical entry-level education for model makers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a model maker earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Georgia, $84,700) and the lowest (Rhode Island, $33,330) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,230 people work as model makers in the United States. At $62,700 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Model maker salary FAQ
How much does a model maker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a model maker is $30.14. The middle half of model makers earn between $23.49 and $38.21 per hour.
What is the highest model maker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of model makers earn more than $95,780 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a model maker make a year?
The median annual salary for a model maker is $62,700. The average (mean) wage of $65,840 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a model maker a well paid job?
At $62,700 a year, a model maker earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,230 people work as model makers in the United States.
Which state pays model makers the most?
Georgia has the highest median salary for model makers at $84,700 a year. California ($77,970) and New York ($73,840) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a model maker a good career?
Employment of model makers is projected to shrink 17.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a model maker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for model makers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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