Models

Moderate Risk
Low High

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Occupation snapshot

What does this snowflake show?
The Snowflake is a visual summary of the five badges: Automation Risk (calculated), Risk (polled), Growth, Wages and Volume. It gives you an instant snapshot of an occupations profile. The colour of the Snowflake relates to its size. The better the occupation scores in relation to others, the larger and greener the Snowflake becomes.
JOB SCORE
3.6/10
What's this?
Job Score (higher is better):

We rate jobs using four factors. These are:

- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions

These are some key things to think about when job hunting.

Risk & user votes

Calculated automation risk

57% (Moderate Risk)

Moderate Risk (41-60%): This occupation may be meaningfully affected by automation. Some parts of the role may be suitable for AI, software, or robotics, while others still rely on human skill, judgement, trust, or real-world context. People in this range may benefit from building skills that complement automation and reduce replacement risk.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Human strengths important in this job

These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.

Thinking creatively

Quite important
Why this matters
Coming up with original ideas and designs—creating new concepts, products, systems, or artistic work. This kind of open-ended invention and taste-based judgment is harder to automate end-to-end than routine, rule-based tasks.
Jobs that also use this strength

What users think

Based on 491 votes

48% chance of full automation within the next two decades

Our visitors have voted they are unsure if this occupation will be automated. This assessment is further supported by the calculated automation risk level, which estimates 57% chance of automation.

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that Models will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?

Sentiment

Based on user votes over time

View sentiment trend

How opinions have changed over time

Pay & outlook

Wages

High paid relative to other professions

In 2024, the median annual wage for Models was $89,990 ($43 per hour).

The median annual wage for Models was 81.8% higher than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.

View wage trend

Wages over time

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Growth

Slow growth relative to other professions.

The number of 'Models' job openings is expected to decline 0.5% by 2034

View employment trend

Total employment, and estimated job openings

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2023 and 2033
Updated projections are due 09-2025.

Volume

Significantly lower range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2024 there were 5,350 people employed as 'Models' within the United States.

This represents around < 0.001% of the employed workforce across the country

Put another way, around 1 in 28 thousand people are employed as 'Models'.

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What people are saying (33)

Leave a comment
Rt (Low)
30 Jun 2025 04:17
Authenticity is key
Ana (Highly likely)
19 Dec 2024 04:52
"Why are there so many of them on the internet already?"
Ella Grantham (No chance)
15 Oct 2024 02:09
High fashion modelling cannot be replaced. Brands would look cheap.
Jonathan Golland (Low)
17 Mar 2024 05:02
This is ridiculous. A robot couldn't possibly be a model. Models and modeling is dependent on beauty and each man or woman has their own style and Beauty to bring to the table even though universally models are supposed to be thin, and healthy
Anonymous (Moderate)
12 Dec 2023 09:52
Given there’s already face/body generating sites like thispersondoesnotexist, plus the amount of touchups/modifications they already make on everyday adverts for billboards etc. doesn’t seem impossible - no human is perfect looking. That being said, there will probably still be positions at the top for the very attractive people whose looks get them celebrity status. And I suppose for runway stuff also.
jack (Highly likely)
19 Apr 2023 17:42
Highly likely. AI is already creating people, you can program it to create literally any person. You can make them "perfect" or add flaws.
patreongirl
26 Jul 2022 03:04
Real humans are extremely attractive. While some people might always choose bots and ignore the uncanny valley, intellectuals will see the negative implications and find it strange.

There are individuals who find joy in modeling, possess talent, and should be rewarded financially for being good at their jobs. If AI threatens the careers of human models, there will likely be pushback from the general public because AI models don't represent them or their appearances.

There are incredibly beautiful humans who struggle to find normal jobs outside of modeling or jobs based on their appearance because of sexual harassment and unsavory individuals. Therefore, let's not destroy one of the only industries where they can be taken seriously.
Rei (Highly likely)
20 Apr 2022 13:30
With computer engineering, we can make 3D models smoothly, as we see in VTubers. Sometimes, humans can perfect how a model's "body" looks to match what consumers want. We can give it beauty with a big body frame or just a small frame. You can make anything and any pose you want.
Miguel
07 Mar 2022 17:28
I would like to know about catwalk models and runway models. It's a dream of mine to become a fashion model. I know CGI is taking a lot of ground, but those are just for pictures. At the catwalk, can AI replace the model's charisma, command of the room, aura and charm?
Julie
29 Nov 2023 20:02
The best self made models dont make that much from walking, sometimes you won't get paid at all. The money is in editorials and shoots for companies, you prolly cant rely on catwalks alone, especially if u want to retire, sadly.
Lizzy Murder (No chance)
24 Jan 2022 11:40
I am a child model, and maybe this is because I am literally 12, but I highly doubt robots will steal modeling. I can see more AI being used, but I think that most people will still be more likely to buy clothes if they see them on a human. However, there may be an end to runway modeling.
Nash (Uncertain)
28 Mar 2021 02:56
I think it's both. There will be computer generated models and real human models.
says (Highly likely)
21 Jan 2021 01:40
Yes they can when they have a robot with human flesh body Haha
Rodrigo da Silva Guerra (Uncertain)
21 Nov 2020 15:54
I think people also like to relate to models as people, to know about their lifestyle, about their opinions and so on, as celebrities. Although I have confidence computers will be able to generate realistic artificial images, for some types of ads models will still be required. Perhaps the ones to be automated are those low paying, volume jobs for large web catalogues.
Sebastian
28 Oct 2020 17:24
If they manage to break the "uncanny valley" then models will be replaceable because it will be almost impossible to distinguish the difference between a real person and extremely sophisticated AI combined with CGI. However, no one is remotely close to accomplishing this and this only applies to the digital side. A model has a very physical presence and realistic robots do not exist.
bonehead (Highly likely)
11 Mar 2022 04:11
not yet
have you not played detroit: become human?
Elif
15 Jul 2020 14:56
models are probably the least useful people in society. they don't necessarily have to be pretty or feminine they just have to be tall and skinny. modelling first will become more inclusive then gradually disappear. no human being deserves to make a living out of his body only! they should be encouraged to be more useful in society with the works of their minds.
shrek side hoe
18 Feb 2021 12:28
Models contribute to society and if they wanted to stop modelling or being known for their bodies they could have chosen a different profession or quit just because you don't think they are contributing to society but they help marketing and the clothing and fashion industry and quite a few models have used their platform for good so you can keep your feelings to your self thank yew
Your Girl's main man (Uncertain)
23 Jun 2020 21:27
robot playboy mags, yuck!
zaira
05 May 2020 14:00
it will be horrible (╬▔皿▔)╯🤦‍♀️😢😢😢😢╰(艹皿艹 )
my name is what my name is what my name is what my name is chicka-chicka-chicka slim shady (Highly likely)
18 Mar 2020 09:16
you could easily use cgi to create the perfect looking human
bob you mom (Low)
23 Jan 2020 23:36
because robots cant have that natural beauty humans have
Corrina
10 Sep 2019 21:48
Each photo nowadays is being graphically edited and the result is far from reality. People use filters and rather believe in/publish/look at their artificially "nicer" self. I can imagine just using specific details/data of real top models and building a digital one. The photo can be created without a real person still being realistic and perfect. That's why real models will be less likely necessary. Using digital figures will be/is cheaper than a real model and there will be/is a high demand for CGI artists.

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Job description

Model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments. May pose for photos to be used in magazines or advertisements. May pose as subject for paintings, sculptures, and other types of artistic expression.

O*NET-SOC code: 41-9012.00