How to hire a professional model

How to hire a professional model, step by step

Here's a step-by-step professional model hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a professional model job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new professional model
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the professional model you need to hire. Certain professional model roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A professional model's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, professional models from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of professional model salaries for various roles:

   Type of Professional Model	Description	Hourly rate
   Professional Model	Models pose for artists, customers, or photographers to help advertise a variety of products, including clothing, cosmetics, food, and appliances.	$42-300
   Modeler	The duties of a modeler depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a modeler's responsibilities revolve around designing and developing databases to organize high-volume data, devise strategies to improve existing data systems, build organizational business models, and assist in optimizing networks... Show more	$13-76
   Art Model	An art model's main goal is to provide the necessary inspiration and creative idea for an artist. Models often have amicable personalities that are conducive to artistic ideas... Show more	$13-134

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Photo Shoots
   • Television Commercials
   • Music Videos
   • Trade Shows
   • Coats

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage pre-event preparations; POS merchandising and engages potential customers at events.
   • View projects on IMDb page http: //www.imdb.com/name/nm4986338/? ref_=fn_al_nm_1
   • Gain invaluable experience working with world renown photographers on editorials, catalogs and campaigns.
   • View projects on IMDb page http: //www.imdb.com/name/nm4986338/? ref_=fn_al_nm_1

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your professional model job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A professional model salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, professional models' average salary in hawaii is 57% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level professional models earn 86% less than senior-level professional models.
   • Certifications. A professional model with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a professional model's salary.

   Average professional model salary

   $236,556yearly

   $113.73 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level professional model salary

   $89,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average professional model salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$235,037	$113
   2	Colorado	$211,363	$102
   3	Massachusetts	$207,268	$100
   4	New York	$205,319	$99
   5	Illinois	$198,278	$95
   6	California	$193,034	$93
   7	Alaska	$192,769	$93
   8	New Jersey	$192,107	$92
   9	Florida	$190,896	$92
   10	North Carolina	$177,154	$85
   11	Ohio	$157,388	$76
   12	Nevada	$146,892	$71
   13	Oklahoma	$145,441	$70
   14	Georgia	$140,927	$68
   15	Texas	$139,207	$67
   16	Virginia	$133,951	$64
   17	Pennsylvania	$133,942	$64
   18	Arizona	$124,862	$60
   19	Louisiana	$116,088	$56
   20	Alabama	$108,251	$52

   Average professional model salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Click Model Management - New York	$312,090	$150.04
   2	Marilyn's Agency	$308,689	$148.41
   3	Stewart Talent	$287,813	$138.37
   4	Wilhelmina International	$279,782	$134.51
   5	RED Model Management - RED NYC	$278,005	$133.66
   6	Samsung Electronics Device Solutions (Semiconductor & Display)	$253,261	$121.76	1
   7	Dna	$245,905	$118.22
   8	Robert Half	$235,526	$113.23	3
   9	Muse	$231,718	$111.40
   10	Race Communications	$223,987	$107.69
   11	Souls	$214,378	$103.07
   12	One Models	$209,605	$100.77
   13	Photogenic	$207,461	$99.74
   14	*n/a*	$205,721	$98.90
   15	Freddie Mac	$185,658	$89.26	6
   16	Morgan Stanley	$171,176	$82.30	9
   17	MUFG EMEA	$164,225	$78.95
   18	Allergan plc	$162,419	$78.09
   19	University of Alaska	$157,452	$75.70	7
   20	Marathon Petroleum	$151,912	$73.03

4. Writing a professional model job description

   A professional model job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a professional model job description:

   Professional model job description example

   Job Details:
   Position Title: SOW Professional
   Location: Remote
   Expected Duration of Project: 6+ Months
   
   Job Description:
   SOW Professional
   
   Description - External

   • The purpose of a SOW Professional is to provide administrative support to Statement of Work (SOW) solution, which may include reviewing SOWs for accuracy and completeness, onboarding project-based workers, processing SOW extensions and terminations, offboarding project-based workers, oversight of milestone/deliverable or T&M billing, SOW updates, and reporting. This role will support a specific client or clients and may work with internal team members, suppliers, and clients.

   
   Making an Impact

   • Establish and develop manager relationships within assigned client(s) and expand existing relationships to ensure maximum customer satisfaction, working in conjunction with the program operations team and SOW team.
   • Serves as the main POC for clients and suppliers to manage day to day components of a SOW and reviews new SOW Orders and CR revisions to ensure accuracy and completeness
   • Support bid process for Full Life Cycle SOW Programs by monitoring RFX’ s in tool to ensure deadlines are met
   • Notify SOW advisor if bid activities are not happening
   • Coordinates bid activities, new supplier set up, training, monitoring, and following up on pending action items
   • Collects and distributes Q&A and setting up supplier presentations
   • Onboards, extends, terminates and off-boards SOW workers in the VMS tool as requested by client hiring managers; working in conjunction with suppliers to obtain required documents and information.
   • Meets system deadlines and assists in communication of new procedures or initiatives
   • Works hand in hand with supplier onboarding team to onboard new suppliers approved by the client
   • Assists suppliers with basic VMS issue resolution, such as, system training, timecard issues, account access, requesting deliverable and milestone fees.
   • Research and resolve any assignment management data integrity issues
   • Performs system audits on a weekly, monthly and/or quarterly basis based on client requirements.
   • Sharing Expertise
   • Responsible for preparing various reports for clients, suppliers and/or management (e.G., headcount, spend, etc.)
   • May initiate follow-up communications with suppliers and client hiring managers regarding SOW Order maintenance, including managing system notifications.
   • May act as the main contact for supplier communications, VMS tool trouble-shooting and basic issue resolution.

   
   Gaining Exposure

   • Works with Manager or Director to implement new procedures, initiatives, and projects.
   • Work with Operations team on ad hoc projects in relation to SOW service offering

   
   Your Typical Day

   • Provide support to the SOW bid process
   • Perform day to day SOW operational duties which may include:
   • Reviewing and monitoring SOWs in the VMS
   • Onboarding, extending, and off boarding SOW workers
   • SOW maintenance as needed
   • Monitoring items pending action by client or supplier
   • Monitor billing/spend within SOW
   • Assisting suppliers by providing basic VMS support including training, help with submitting timesheets, milestones, or deliverables
   • Reporting to manage day to day tasks as well as ad hoc reporting requested by client
   • Minimal travel required if any

   
   Required

   • Experience: 3+ years’ experience working in a MSP
   • Education: High School diploma or equivalent
   • Attention to detail with strong customer service skills

   
   Nice to Have

   • Experience working in procurement
   • Basic knowledge of SOW contract’ s structure; ability to translate to VMS technology
   • Ability to understand the fundamentals of SOW engagements (T&M, Milestone/Deliverable, Fixed Fee structure).
   • VMS experience

   
   Required Years of Experience

   • 3+ years' experience working in an MSP
   • Experience working in procurement
   • Basic knowledge of SOW contract’ s structure; ability to translate to VMS technology
   • Ability to understand the fundamentals of SOW engagements (T&M, Milestone/Deliverable, Fixed Fee structure).
   • VMS experience

   
   Combination of education and/or experience is preferred.

   • 1-5 years

   Additional Information Prior experience supporting SOW highly preferred

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find professional models for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any professional models they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level professional models with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your professional model job on Zippia to find and recruit professional model candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit professional models, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new professional model

   Once you have selected a candidate for the professional model position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new professional model. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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