Yes, male models can make good money, especially top-tier ones earning millions, but most earn modest to decent rates (hundreds to thousands per gig), with commercial print often paying more than runway, and a significant gap typically remaining compared to female models due to market demand, though high earners like Sean O'Pry and David Gandy prove significant earning potential. Earnings vary wildly based on experience, type of work (commercial, editorial, runway), location, and brand, with top models earning far more than average commercial or aspiring models, notes GQ Australia, StarNow, Hunter Talent, and Quora.
Overall, male modeling can be a rewarding and fulfilling profession for those who are passionate about fashion, photography, and the creative arts. With dedication, hard work, and a strong work ethic, male models can definitely make a successful career out of modeling.
Whether it's for gym wear or promoting health-focused products, male models who fit these diverse representations are in high demand.
In Australia, as an example, a model may make $3k-$10k for a shoot that could take a few hours or a couple of days to complete. Factors to take into consideration are the type of job, client and therefore budget, and exposure of the final product.
How much does a Calvin Klein Model make? As of Jan 8, 2026, the average annual pay for a Calvin Klein Model in the United States is $65,246 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $31.37 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,254/week or $5,437/month.
The modeling industry is often perceived through glamorous runway shows and iconic fashion weeks. However, very few models globally manage to make a living exclusively from runway appearances.
All figures are listed in US dollars.
Jobs paying $500k+ in Australia are primarily in highly specialized fields like Medical Specialists (surgeons, anaesthetists), Senior Finance/Executive Roles (CFO, Head of Treasury, Investment Directors), and high-end Sales & Construction Management (Elite Stockbrokers, Senior Project Managers/Estimators in complex sectors). While roles like Neurosurgeon and Ophthalmologist average well over $500k, achieving this in other sectors often involves performance-based bonuses or leading major projects, with opportunities listed on job boards like SEEK and Jora.
The average Australian full-time worker is now earning more than $2000 a week for the first time in history. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the average ordinary full-time weekly earnings for adults hit $2011.40 before tax in May.
Top-earning Australian models
Many female and male models may smoke because it's believed to be an effective approach to weight loss, but in reality the picture is more complicated than that. Smoking among professional models may be common, but it isn't a good idea.
Additionally, agencies often look for male models with a lean and toned physique, characterized by well-defined muscles and proportionate measurements. Although height and build requirements vary more for gender nonconforming models, taller, leaner models tend to find success on the runway.
Age: Male models typically start their careers in their late teens and can work well into their 30s and sometimes beyond. The age range can vary depending on the type of modeling and the specific requirements of the fashion designers or brands.
In 2025, 74% of models walking in major fashion weeks (New York, London, Milan, Paris) were women, while only 26% were men. Top-earning female models in 2025 made 148% more than their male counterparts.
The negative aspects of modeling include:
For both male and female models, sixteen is considered the ideal age. This being said, female models may find themselves more popular than their male counterparts at a younger age. This is because male models are considered to get better with age, and have more success well into their thirties and even forties.
Yes, AUD 10,000 per month is a very good salary in Australia, placing you in a high income bracket, well above the average and median earnings, allowing for comfortable living, significant savings, or a high-end lifestyle, though costs vary greatly by city (e.g., Sydney is expensive) and personal circumstances like owning a home.
Yes, $50 an hour ($98,800/year) is a very good wage in Australia, significantly above the average full-time salary and national median earnings, offering a solid income for comfortable living, even in expensive cities, and is common in skilled trades, healthcare, and tech, though high living costs in major centers require careful budgeting.
According to ABS data, just 2.61 million Aussies – or about 10 per cent of the population – earn $100,000 or more a year. Many people will never reach a six-figure income in their working lives.
To be in Australia's top 1% of individual taxpayers, you generally need an annual income of around $375,000 to $390,000, though figures vary slightly by source and year, with higher thresholds for households (around $530,000). For context, the median individual income is much lower (around $55,000), and while top earners often include surgeons and anaesthetists, reaching the top 1% of net worth requires significantly more wealth, often exceeding $7 million.
No experience $100,000 jobs
For those who are just starting out in their careers, $4,000 to $5,000 a month should be a reasonable expectation, while those with years of expertise in industries with intense competition should be paid more than $120,000. You should generally strive for a pay that is at least average.
Top 10 Male Models to watch in 2022
The expiration date for most fashion models (male or female) is typically between the ages of 22-25, depending on whether or not the model has been able to secure top-ranking fashion editorial and/or campaigns. If they have secured steady work, they're allowed to age gracefully.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $182,500 and as low as $17,500, the majority of Male Modeling salaries currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) to $99,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $141,500 annually across the United States.