How to become a Model
Official title: Models
Also called: Art Class Model, Art Model, Artist's Model, Figure Model, Fine Arts Model, Life Drawing Model, Model, Nude Model, Studio Model, Undraped Artist Model
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.
Main tasks
- Pose for artists and photographers.
How to become one
No formal educational credential is required and training is limited. Specific requirements depend on the client. However, most models must be within certain ranges for height, weight, and clothing size to meet the needs of fashion designers , photographers , and advertisers .
Typical education to start: No formal educational credential
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $48,470 a year The middle half earn $35,710 to $99,320.
- About 4,200 people work in this job now, and about 4,100 are projected by 2035. (-2.1%)
- People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Model?
No formal educational credential is required and training is limited. Specific requirements depend on the client. However, most models must be within certain ranges for height, weight, and clothing size to meet the needs of fashion designers , photographers , and advertisers .
How much does a Model earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $48,470 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $35,710 to $99,320.
Is a Model a growing career in the US?
Employment is projected to fall 2% by 2035, from about 4,200 to about 4,100 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Model?
Not always. 30% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Model?
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.