Earn More MoneyMarch 22, 2021April 19, 2021

How Much Money Can A Male Model Earn In A Year?

In my opinion, modeling is a profession that doesn’t get enough attention. However, this is especially the case when it has to do with males. Being a model when you’re a male can be quite different when comparing it to their female counterparts. However, this is not an article that will outline the differences both parts experience when trying to become a model. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the amount of money you can earn as a male model. However, there are a variety of options you can choose from. This means that there isn’t only one type of male model. Much like any profession, there are different avenues and paths that you can take.

Some paths may be more in line with what you want to do specifically. Furthermore, different sectors of modeling often have strict requirements, such as height. Therefore making it harder to break into certain parts of the industry. With all that being said, we will talk about the different types of models there are, how to become a model, and lastly, how much money you can possibly earn.

Different Types Of Models

Without going into much detail, there are many types of models. Some more popular than others. I will list a few just so that we can get a general understanding of how vast the world of modeling is: fashion, commercial, fitness, runway, underwear/swimsuit, fit, part, plus-size and mature. Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg. However, these are a few of the sectors that you can get into when becoming a model. All of these model types are paid a different wage and serve a different purpose. For example, plus-size models focus on promoting larger clothing. However, a parts model is someone who specializes in certain body parts. For example, parts models use only their hands, legs, or other body parts.

The Types Of Models

For this article, we will specifically talk about probably the three most popular types of models. That is fashion, commercial, and runway.

As a fashion or editorial model, you will be working within the high fashion industry. This means that you will most likely appear in magazines such as Men’s Vogue and GQ, to name a few. These models are the ones who wear clothes are designed by popular designers such as Armani, Calvin Klein, Gucci, and those alike. The goal of many high fashion editorial models is to become known within the industry/the world. The more you’re known, the likelihood of you finding consistent and lucrative increases significantly. Once you’ve got the role as an editorial model, you can be modeling and showing up in the multitude of men’s high-fashion magazines.

Next is the commercial model. As a commercial model, your main focus will be to work with as many clients as possible for ads. Some focus on a few particular types of ads. However, there are so many to choose from such as billboards, magazines, and television ads, to name a few. Therefore, there is a lot of money to be made and many opportunities that you can take advantage of.

The last of the three that we’ll talk about is the runway model. These are the people who walk on a runway and advertise the clothes that the designer has created. Runway modeling is one of the more difficult sections to break into. This is due to the fact that runway models need to be very exact in their measurements. This is to ensure that they’re wearing the clothes and that they fit precisely.

Now, we will discuss how you can become each one of these models.

How To Become A Model

Becoming a model can be quite difficult. Depending on what type of model you want to be, there are a lot of requirements and qualifications you’ll need to fill. Unfortunately, an important requirement for many male models, especially in fashion and runway is height.

Becoming Each Model

In the world of an editorial model, you’re expected to be a minimum of 6 feet tall. However, this is not written in stone as there have been many male editorial models who were shorter than this. Furthermore, they’ve had long and lucrative careers doing so. Although this is the case, since someone who is under these requirements is out of the norm, breaking into the industry will be slightly more difficult. The model must be able to wear a jacket with the sizing within the low 40s. Furthermore, they have to fit into pants with a waist in the low 30s (inches). As you can see, there is quite a list of qualifications. In order to become an editorial model, you must fill these requirements. Furthermore, you will an amalgamation of photos and a modeling agency that’ll push your career in that direction.

Next is the commercial model. Luckily, commercial models do not need to fit an exact size. This is due to the fact that commercials require a lot of people that range in different sizes, ethnicities, and heights. However, there is a common height among meant in the industry and that is 70 inches or 5’8. Starting a career in this avenue is quite similar to editorial. You’ll need photos and an agency that’ll find your work and represent you.

Last is runway models. The measurement, although almost exactly the same as fashion models, needs to be more precise. With editorial models, there is room for deviation. However, designers oftentimes want their models to be exact measurements as they’re going to be seen by many people within the industry. Therefore, if a designer makes pants that’ll look best on a 72-inch male, you have to be no more or less than what they need. Furthermore, you need to have a good walk (yes, it is a skill within the industry). To become a runway model, you will need to have experience within the industry first. Aside from that, you will need to fit the exact measurements, have an agency and attend multiple castings in order to get chosen.

How Much Money Can You Earn As A Model?

As a male model, you will be earning less than your female counterparts. Even in the upper echelons of the industry, female models earn significantly more money. This means that down the ladder we can expect the same. While it is less money, you can still earn more than the average university graduate.

As a fashion model, you can earn as over $100 per hour. However, this depends on a few factors. Some of these factors, to name a few, are the company/designer, and your experience. While $100 per hour is a lot of money, chances are you may be working for significantly less at the very beginning. Possible for free to increase your portfolio. Of course, in the more prestigious side of the industry, you can make significantly more than $100 per hour.

Commercial models can also earn a substantial amount, sometimes over $200 per hour. However, similar to editorial models, this amount can vary depending on the brand, company, region, length, etc. It goes without saying that at the very beginning, you can expect to make less than that.

Lastly are the runway models. Runway models can earn a substantial amount of money. In many cases, runway models can earn thousands of dollars per show. It is not uncommon for models to earn $10,000 for one show. However, runway models have to go through hours of makeup and rehearsal. Therefore, they aren’t getting paid to only walk up and down a catwalk. Beginners, on the other hand, will most likely earn less. Some may even do it for free while others are paid a few hundred dollars.

To conclude, becoming a model can be very lucrative. However, it takes a lot of dedication and perseverance to stay within the industry until the point where you’re making a healthy living.

Shameed Chris Khan

Shameed is just a man on a mission to help those around him gain financial success. Obsessed with writing about all things finance, this GTA native is constantly learning and sharing his experiences with others.