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Model maker salary
Average model maker salary
$48,523
Average Model Maker Salary
The average salary for a model maker in the United States is approximately $48,523 per year. This figure reflects the base pay and can vary based on several factors, including experience, location, and the specific industry.
How Much Does a Model Maker Make?
Entry-level model makers typically start with salaries around $35,000, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of $65,000 annually. These figures highlight the potential for growth in this field.
Where Can a Model Maker Earn More?
Model makers in states like California, Texas, and New York tend to earn higher salaries due to demand and industry presence. Additionally, sectors such as aerospace and automotive manufacturing often pay above-average wages for skilled model makers.
Salary Estimates Across the Web
Different sources provide varying estimates, but it's essential to consider industry trends and local demand. For instance, online job boards and salary comparison tools can offer valuable insights into current market rates.
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Where can a Model Maker earn more?
Model maker salary estimates from across the web
Average model maker salary by state
The average model maker salary in New Mexico, Michigan, and Arkansas are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average model maker salary states are New Hampshire, Louisiana, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for model makers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | $62,817 | $30.20 |
| 2 | Ohio | $47,558 | $22.86 |
| 3 | West Virginia | $48,367 | $23.25 |
| 4 | Illinois | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| 5 | Arkansas | $58,176 | $27.97 |
| 6 | New Mexico | $63,146 | $30.36 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $55,439 | $26.65 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $48,357 | $23.25 |
| 9 | Indiana | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $44,149 | $21.23 |
| 11 | Virginia | $47,852 | $23.01 |
| 12 | Utah | $44,301 | $21.30 |
| 13 | Mississippi | $45,279 | $21.77 |
| 14 | Oregon | $45,389 | $21.82 |
| 15 | Iowa | $45,015 | $21.64 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $44,842 | $21.56 |
| 17 | California | $52,041 | $25.02 |
| 18 | Kansas | $44,834 | $21.55 |
| 19 | Idaho | $44,184 | $21.24 |
| 20 | Arizona | $46,563 | $22.39 |
| 21 | North Carolina | $44,118 | $21.21 |
| 22 | Missouri | $42,875 | $20.61 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $41,341 | $19.88 |
| 24 | New York | $46,197 | $22.21 |
| 25 | Texas | $44,682 | $21.48 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $40,092 | $19.27 |
| 27 | Alabama | $41,565 | $19.98 |
| 28 | Maine | $41,681 | $20.04 |
| 29 | North Dakota | $39,737 | $19.10 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $41,476 | $19.94 |
| 31 | Florida | $41,855 | $20.12 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $41,236 | $19.82 |
| 33 | Alaska | $44,187 | $21.24 |
| 34 | Connecticut | $36,357 | $17.48 |
| 35 | Colorado | $42,172 | $20.27 |
| 36 | Georgia | $41,533 | $19.97 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $38,654 | $18.58 |
| 38 | Rhode Island | $35,673 | $17.15 |
| 39 | Washington | $41,751 | $20.07 |
| 40 | Hawaii | $43,213 | $20.78 |
| 41 | New Hampshire | $33,428 | $16.07 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $32,810 | $15.77 |
| 43 | Delaware | $38,279 | $18.40 |
| 44 | Nevada | $38,384 | $18.45 |
| 45 | Massachusetts | $34,632 | $16.65 |
| 46 | Vermont | $31,150 | $14.98 |
| 47 | Maryland | $37,765 | $18.16 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $29,764 | $14.31 |
| 49 | District of Columbia | $37,638 | $18.10 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $33,064 | $15.90 |
| 51 | Montana | $30,053 | $14.45 |
Highest paying cities for model makers
The highest-paying cities for model makers are Warren, MI, San Rafael, CA, and Chicago, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warren, MI | $63,029 | $30.30 |
| 2 | San Rafael, CA | $56,239 | $27.04 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $48,248 | $23.20 |
| 4 | Troy, OH | $46,703 | $22.45 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $46,638 | $22.42 |
| 6 | Indianapolis, IN | $44,551 | $21.42 |
| 7 | Grand Prairie, TX | $44,421 | $21.36 |
| 8 | Neenah, WI | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| 9 | Charlotte, NC | $43,215 | $20.78 |
| 10 | Miami, FL | $41,810 | $20.10 |
| 11 | Redmond, WA | $41,588 | $19.99 |
| 12 | Rochester, MN | $40,257 | $19.35 |
| 13 | Cumberland, RI | $35,332 | $16.99 |
| 14 | Manchester, NH | $33,380 | $16.05 |
Model maker salary details
A model maker's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $70,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a model maker's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| Average | $48,523 | $4,044 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
Highest paying model maker jobs
The highest paying types of model makers are engineering model maker, model builder, and model technician.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tool And Die Maker | $52,956 | $4,413 | $25.46 | 18,971 |
| Model Builder | $73,763 | $6,147 | $35.46 | 3,273 |
| Tool Maker | $52,443 | $4,370 | $25.21 | 18,166 |
| Mold Maker | $48,841 | $4,070 | $23.48 | 13,896 |
Top companies hiring model makers now:
Which companies pay model makers the most?
Model maker salaries at Apple and General Motors are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average model maker salary at companies like Benchmark Electronics and Zebra Technologies are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple | $94,357 | $45.36 |
| 2 | General Motors | $86,086 | $41.39 |
| 3 | Benchmark Electronics | $69,365 | $33.35 |
| 4 | Zebra Technologies | $67,436 | $32.42 |
| 5 | Thermo Fisher Scientific | $62,481 | $30.04 |
| 6 | ITW | $60,421 | $29.05 |
| 7 | Lucid Motors | $60,404 | $29.04 |
| 8 | Lennox International | $59,894 | $28.80 |
| 9 | Tiffany & Co. | $58,568 | $28.16 |
| 10 | DEKA Research | $58,545 | $28.15 |
| 11 | Stryker | $58,134 | $27.95 |
| 12 | Carrier | $58,004 | $27.89 |
| 13 | Lockheed Martin | $56,672 | $27.25 |
| 14 | Koch Industries | $56,654 | $27.24 |
| 15 | Crestron Electronics | $55,335 | $26.60 |
| 16 | Knoll | $54,135 | $26.03 |
| 17 | RATIO Design | $53,142 | $25.55 |
| 18 | Mattel | $49,082 | $23.60 |
| 19 | Sealed Air | $48,997 | $23.56 |
| 20 | S&C Electric | $47,272 | $22.73 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Model Maker salary by industry
The average model maker salary varies across industries:
- The average model maker salary in the retail industry is $52,343, the highest of any industry.
- The average model maker salary in the finance industry is $51,907.
- Model makers in the media industry earn an average salary of $41,898, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for model makers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail | $52,343 | $25.16 |
| 2 | Professional | $51,907 | $24.96 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $50,526 | $24.29 |
| 4 | Technology | $49,045 | $23.58 |
| 5 | Media | $41,898 | $20.14 |
High paying model maker jobs
Model maker salary trends
The average model maker salary has risen by $8,795 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average model maker earned $39,728 annually, but today, they earn $48,523 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for model makers over the last decade.
Compare model maker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average model maker salary over time
Compare model maker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Model maker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $48,500 | $23.33 | -4.1% |
| 2025 | $50,500 | $24.28 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | $49,700 | $23.90 | +4.4% |
| 2023 | $47,500 | $22.86 | +9.5% |
| 2022 | $43,000 | $20.68 | +5.3% |
Recently added model maker salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mattel | Senior Modelmaker, Model Shop | El Segundo, CA | 06/28/2025 | $66,784 |
| Robertshaw | Model Maker (Cad/Cam/Cnc) | Itasca, IL | 06/01/2025 | $50,000 |
| Jeppesen | Model Maker Apprenticeship-A15A0 | Seattle, WA | 05/27/2025 | $86,736 |
| Designcraft | Model Maker/Finisher | Lake Zurich, IL | 05/23/2025 | $41,740 |
| The Boeing Company | Model Maker Apprenticeship-A15A0 | Seattle, WA | 05/22/2025 | $86,736 |
| Kaleidoscope | Freelance: Model Maker & Painter | Chicago, IL | 04/28/2025 | $37,566 |
| Tandem Careers | Model Maker II | San Diego, CA | 04/05/2025 | $51,111 |
| Tandem Diabetes Care Inc. | Model Maker II | San Diego, CA | 04/03/2025 | $51,111 |
| Boston Scientific | Model Maker (IDL)-S3 | Dorado, PR | 03/12/2025 | $39,800 |
| Boston Scientific | Model Maker I | Marlborough, MA | 03/04/2025 | $43,264 |
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