How much do male models make a year

While the overall pay gap for men and women is persistently skewed toward guys’ favor, there’s at least one industry where women reign supreme: modeling. As the first New York Fashion Week for men kicks off this week, it’s worth taking a look at just how much more female fashion models make than their male counterparts.

Figures form Forbes compiled over the past couple years show that female models make millions more than their males, especially when looking at the top 10 earners of each respective gender. And there’s no contest when you compare the highest paid female supermodel (the recently retired Gisele Bundchen, at over $47 million for 2014) with the most handsomely compensated male model (Sean O’Pry at over $1.5 million in 2013.)

The reasons for the gap are many. For one, the female clothing industry has historically received more business attention than menswear. But that’s changing. These days, there’s increasing demand for men’s fashion among consumers, and thus there’s more money to spend on glitzy events. Fortune recently reported that online mens apparel sales rose by 17.4% annually from 2010 to 2015. And desire for menswear is also outperforming women’s clothing by 0.2%, according to Euromonitor. As of last year, the menswear market was valued at $440 billion globally and at over $60 billion in the U.S. alone, Quartz reported.

Even former supermodel-turned-television-celebrity Tyra Banks is responding to the shift in the market. Her America’s Next Top Model reality television franchise focused on women for the first 19 seasons (or cycles, as she dubbed them), starting in 2003. Ten years later in 2013, the 20th cycle combined men and women, which was partly intended to boost ratings. “I think it has something to do with the 20th anniversary [of the show],” Banks told People after she announced that male models would be included on the show. “I think [the network executives] were ready for a bang and a change.”

Reality TV contestants aside, there’s a stark contrast in the salaries paid to male versus female supermodels, which includes modeling fees and endorsements. Here is a mix of 2014 and 2013 data from Forbes:

1. Gisele Bundchen: $47 million / Sean O’Pry: $1.5 million

2. Doutzen Kroes: $8 million / David Gandy: $1.4 million

3. Adriana Lima: $8 million / Simon Nessman: $1.1 million

4. Kate Moss: $7 million / Arthur Kulkov: $905,000

5. Kate Upton: $7 million / Noah Mills: $740,000

6. Mirana Kerr: $7 million / Ryan Burns: $610,000

7. Liu Wen: $7 million / Tyson Ballou: $425,000

8. Alessandra Ambrosio: $5 million / Ollie Edwards: $410,000

9. Hilary Rhoda: $5 million / Jon Kortajarena: $290,000

10. Natalia Vodianova: $4 million / Tobias Sorensen: $265,000

The pay gap also extends to the modeling rank-and-file. Female models make an average of $41,300 annually, which is 148% more than the men, who earn an average of about $28,000, according to data from Payscale.

There may be good news for male models in the coming years. As more events like New York Fashion Week for men, which is run by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, become the norm, male supermodels are likely to become increasingly in demand. And with greater status, of course, comes more pay.

How to Become a Male Model

So you think you might have what it takes to succeed as a male model? You have the drive, you have the talent and your whole life you have been told that you are ridiculously good looking. The only thing is, you’re not quite sure how to go about it getting started.

The modeling world has changed a lot over the past decade and while traditional avenues to find modeling jobs still exist — although you’re probably not lining up for Star Search at your local mall — social media and the evolving definition of “attractive” have leveled the playing field. Aspiring male models who work it online have a big head start over those who are just sending agents photos of their headshots. This is not to say that having a strong modeling portfolio isn’t important, because it is, but more and more often that portfolio can be the right hashtag away.

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Know Who You Are

The first step to becoming a male model is assuming the confidence and self-assurance in knowing you have what it takes to be in the spotlight. Models today not only have to develop their own image, but have an expressive personality that shines in front of the camera as well. We have all heard the jokes about how it can’t be that hard to be a model, but chances are you take photos until you get a good one. For a successful model, just about every photo is a good one, it’s the perfect one that they’re aiming to achieve.

Being able to carry yourself with confidence and a certain belief in oneself is what the modeling agencies and brands are looking for. Having a strong portfolio of photography will always help when being able to get a foot in the door with any agency, so this is always a worthwhile investment. 

Establishing your own personal look and style, no matter how strange it might be, can often catch the eye of the bookers. It used to be that tattoos, piercings and even unique markers such as weight, gap teeth and freckles might work against you in a casting. Today, if you present yourself with confidence, just about anything is possible.   

Social media has never been more important than it is today for those looking for a career in modeling. Having an online personality with a significant and loyal band of captive followers can only add value for a client in the eyes of an agency.

And what are the physical requirements to be a model? While there are no hard and fast rules, to fit standard samples, agencies look for men between 5’11 and 6’2 tall who can fit a size 40 regular jacket with a 32 waist and size 11 shoe. While you want to be in excellent shape, don’t aim to be too muscular, as clothing does not drape well on men with larger muscles in the arms and thighs. Finish it off by having healthy looking skin, hair and teeth, and you’re heading in the right direction.

Find the Right Agent

The most common way to book work is still to find a reputable agent — reputable being the key word. Do your homework. Ask questions to find out what they can really do for you, and what they have done for others. Who have they worked with in the past — both talent and clients? What does their website look like? How does their office feel? Agents are often the first to know about jobs you won’t know about without them. They take a cut of your money, but if they are working hard for you, it will be worth it. 

If you do get an agent, they will take a cut of your income, which varies from 10 to 33 percent — they are working for you after all. The point is that for that percentage they will find you more bookings, and also advise you on how to move forward in your career. There are seemingly endless agencies ranging from the very top such as Ford, IMG, Wilhelmina and DNA to smaller boutique agencies that are just starting out. Finding the agent that believes in you is more important than if they are at a top agency. If your agent is working for a top tier agency and you aren’t getting them work, they have plenty of other talent to work with to get their paycheck. Just like you want to do your job well, make sure they are working hard right along with you.

But some people get work without an agent. How? Because they rock it on social media. Someone who wants to be a model today needs to also be an entrepreneur. Today more than ever, a model is a brand before he is booked on his job. Brands don't always just want a handsome face, instead they want someone with a strong social media platform that will help position them to the market they are trying to reach through your partnership.

You are going to want to provide the agency with a portfolio — an assortment of photographs, which should include a professional headshot and full body shot both clothed and in underwear or a bathing suit. Agents need to know what they are working with, and by that we mean you and your body. 

Other Ways to Break Out

On occasion, agencies will have open calls. This means exactly what it sounds like — a bunch of people show up on a specific date, and the agency will look at them for a few seconds and decide if the person has what it takes. 

There also are modeling conventions, which are meeting grounds for agencies, scouts, casting directors and models, and typically happen in large cities where everyone can gather conveniently. The good? A model can get a lot of exposure when attending conventions. The bad? A models can only get into these one of two ways: they either pay thousands of dollars to attend, or have to go through a top modeling agency. Some of the most exclusive modeling conventions are run through the IMTA.

There also are a variety of model scouting companies that can be helpful, provided you pick the right one. These scouts work by paying the company to try and put you in touch with the top agencies. Once again, do your homework. Don’t just pay some random guy you find with a bad website because he says he knows people — get some details on successes he has had in his business.

Lastly, modeling schools can also help set you up for success. These schools can give you an edge against your competition by giving you a better idea of what the job entails and what is expected of you on set, teach you how to walk the runway, pose for a photographer, all while opening doors by way of possible industry connections.

Be Comfortably Aggressive

Just about all agency insiders agree that you need to be aggressive.  Don’t just sit around waiting for things to happen. Even if you are just trying to be scouted through Instagram, then work hard at having the best page you possibly can.

While you are at it, keep in touch with people. Just as important though, is finding the right people to bug. Getting that all-important first appointment with the right people can often be the first hurdle. Research who the key decision makers are within an agency and connect with them on LinkedIn or Instagram for example, while using this as a method to keep yourself relevant and memorable. Networking with people in the industry, as well as with existing models, is an excellent way of making in-roads.

Figure out what type of look you feel you have and reach out to agencies and brands that employ others who look like you. If you want to become a successful model, then you need to be aggressive and reach out to brands you want to work with. In the age of social media it will help if you include your social following and links in your portfolio and really aim for a specific niche.

There are many types of models. Fashion models are usually the highest paid, although it is also the most difficult area of modeling to succeed in. This work is to promote clothing, and can range from runway, editorial and catalog work to simply being a fit model for designers, and is highly dependant upon a specific size and body shape.

Additionally you could aspire to be a fitness model — just be prepared to work for it as well as maintain it. There is hand modeling, which is actually a thing. To succeed at this game, you pretty much need to do everything else that a regular model has to do, but hey, while the pay might be lower and there is not as much glamor, the career of a hand model can last a very long time. 

What to Expect in Pay

The income gap in modeling is extreme. As of 2021, new and promising male models earn around $30,000-40,000 per year on average. That means most models starting out make way less than that. In 2020, Sean O'Pry, the top-earning male model for several years, had an annual estimated salary of $1.5 million with David Gandy close behind him at $1.4 million. For comparison, during the same year, Gisele Bündchen earned an estimated $10 million. 

And if you are serious about modeling for a living, you should be open to relocating to a major market such as New York City, Los Angeles, or Miami — although you could get catalog or flyer work in a secondary market such as Seattle or Chicago. After the move, plan on working another job, at least for a while. While a few make a large profit as models, most have to work another job to make ends meet.

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