Model

A model is a man, woman or child who works with designers and fashion companies, wearing and displaying clothing, make up and accessories. A model can work in photo shoots, runway shows, appear on television, or sit for artists. Models can also work for advertising agencies. A successful model must be able to wear clothing well, and know how to walk or move to bring out the best in what they're wearing. There are many types of models, including high fashion, plus size, teen, and body part modeling, such as hands or feet.

The salary a model receives can vary greatly on the type of modeling that's done as well as the amount of experience that the model has. A model who is just starting out can expect to earn an average of $20 per hour, while a model with many years experience can earn much more, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars a year..

It's not necessary to have any special diplomas or certificates to become a model. Female fashion models tend to be quite tall and slim, though this isn't always required and depends on the designer and type of modeling required. Male models are typically very tall and slim as well.

A successful model will know all the current fashion world, and perhaps have some knowledge in dance and drama as well. It's essential to appear very well groomed, with good hair, nails and skin. Knowing how to apply make up is a great skill. He or she will also need to have lots of stamina, as modeling can be extremely stressful and demanding. It's also important to have excellent communication skills, patience, self confidence and business savvy. Charisma is a winner, too. The hours can be long and there can be a lot of travel involved. A model should also be able to sit for hours getting hair and make-up done.

Modeling is an extremely competitive career and it's very helpful to know someone in the field. It's also a good to realize that one may be calling and visiting many, many modeling agencies before a job is secured. It's best to visit agencies so they can hopefully get to see and know you a bit, but remember to make an appointment before. It's crucial to develop a portfolio with any work that may have been completed in the past.

Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The salary range for Model begins around $18,500 and usually tops out around $44,000, with a mean in the neighborhood of $31,250. This is about 39% lower than the national average for annual salaries.

Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The growth outlook for Model careers is estimated at about 16% while the estimated growth for all career fields over that same span is at about 10.12%. Over the next six years, Model jobs are expected to grow at a 58% higher rate than the national average for annual salaries.