Dante's Models
Photography & Model Management
Become A Model
Free Tool

Model Day Rate Calculator

Know your worth. Answer a few questions to get a personalized rate range for NYC.

Looking to book a photoshoot instead? See what a photoshoot costs in NYC or book a session.

Your Estimated Day Rate
$0 — $0

NYC market rate for your profile

Want to start getting booked at these rates?

Join Our Roster Book a Portfolio Shoot
Based on NYC market data
Used by 500+ models
No data stored

NYC Model Day Rates: The Real Numbers

These are the same NYC market ranges the calculator above uses, quoted per half day. New models typically earn $0 to $75, and many early shoots are TFP, meaning trade for portfolio images instead of cash. Models with 1 to 2 years of experience and a working book earn $100 to $300. Experienced models with strong portfolios and repeat clients earn $300 to $800. Professional and agency represented models earn $800 to $2,500 and beyond. Full day bookings, commercial usage rights, and larger brands all push the number up from these bases.

How much do models get paid per day in NYC?
Per half day: new models $0 to $75, intermediate models $100 to $300, experienced models $300 to $800, and professional or agency represented models $800 to $2,500. Full day bookings scale up from there, and usage rights often matter more than the hours on set.
What is TFP and should I accept it?
TFP means trade for prints: you model for free and keep the edited photos. For a new model building a portfolio it is a legitimate way to get strong images without paying for a shoot. Once your book is good enough to win paid work, start charging, because at that point every TFP shoot costs you a paid one.
What makes a model's rate go up?
Four things move the number most: usage rights, since commercial campaigns that license your image pay far more than editorial or portfolio work; the size of the client, since national brands budget more than local businesses; booking length; and your experience tier. A strong, current portfolio is what unlocks the higher tiers, which is exactly why we help models build one.