Top 10 Highest-Paid Male Models In The World

Male models are paid a lot to deliver their jobs. As easy as it seems, models put in a lot of work.

Over time, modeling has been societally tagged a female affair, with female models dominating the scene and industry.

But then, just as these female models are seen everywhere, male models are noticeably abundant also.

This is true, just that the male models tend not to gain as much publicity as their female counterparts, but this doesn’t take away the fact that these models are much as appealing as the females.

And, of course, they get paid very too, bringing us to the question of who are the 10 Highest-Paid Male Models in The World.

About Modeling

Modeling has been seen to be a very lucrative career on its own.

However, it takes considerable time and effort to climb up the rungs of the ladder of modeling before you can start hitting big deals and contracts.

And this most male models around the world have successfully done.

But then, being a male model often means you don’t have as much fame or notoriety as female models.

They do just as much work, but they’re less often recognized. The reason for this is very hard to place. However, male models are abundant, and they’re well-paid.

Join us here in this article as we look at the world’s ten [10] highest-paid male models. Most dabble in acting thanks to their attractive features, while others have become Instagram Influencers.

Still, their efforts would not mean anything if they were not well rewarded, so let’s rank the wealthiest based on their net worth.

These males have secured contracts with leading brands and designers, and their faces continue to be plastered across the globe on billboards and campaigns.

10 Highest-Paid Male Models In The World

10. Tobias Sorensen (DEN) – $265,000

Starting the list is Tobias Sorensen, the model with a prominent scar on his left cheek who has become known for his “bad boy” look.

The Danish sensation has become a favorite amongst high fashion designers and starred in campaigns for ZARA, Diesel, Iceberg, Paul & Joe, and Dolce & Gabbana.

9. Jon Kortajarena (ESP)  – $290,000

In Kortajarena’s hometown in Spain, he’s revered almost like a god.

The model has become known for his “distinguished chiseled cheekbones, piercing stare, and full pout,” – as described on Wikipedia.

His face is one of the most recognizable in the industry, fronting numerous campaigns and appearing in the film.

Kortajarena made his acting debut in Tom Ford’s A Single Man, in which he played a hustler, Carlos, whose momentary encounter with Colin Firth proved so intoxicating that life returned to the protagonist’s world.

Ford and Kortajarena have a long relationship, having met in 2007 when the designer was launching his eponymous label.

Ford went on to book Kortajarena for many a campaign. 

8. Ollie Edwards (UK) – $410,000

Many people consider Edwards to be the top male model for being the face of most campaigns.

And certainly, his resume proves it with campaigns ranging from Trussardi, Emporio Armani, and Giorgio Armani to Lacoste, Dunhill, and Cerruti.

But that pales in comparison to his work with Ralph Lauren. Since signing a contract with the brand in 2008, Ollie Edwards has been the label’s muse and featured heavily in their campaigns. 

7. Tyson Ballou (US) – $425,000

The American-born male model started his career at age 15 and has appeared in campaigns for H&M, Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, and Salvatore Ferragamo. 

Ballou began modeling at the age of 15 after he was discovered.

Since switching from Ford Models to IMG, Ballou quickly went on to star in major campaigns and photo shoots, starting with the DKNY Jeans Spring/Summer 2000 line.

6. Ryan Burns (US) – $610,000

Ryan Burns is an American model and face of Uomo, the men’s fragrance of Zegna.

It’s from this contract that Burns earns most of his money, as the brand has given him contracts for several seasons already.

5. Noah Mills (US) – $740,000

Noah Mills is one of the most successful American models, having even starred in the Sex and the City 2 movie and Taylor Swift’s video for “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”

4. Arthur Kulkov (RUS) – $905,000

Most male models get their start in the industry by juggling editorial work with a slew of runway shows, hopping from catwalk to catwalk, and facing a life of permanent exhaustion.

Such wasn’t the case for Arthur Kulkov, with the Russian finding success almost instantly when he began modeling for campaigns with Barneys, Sisley, and Russell & Bromley.

Arthur Kulkov’s earnings come largely from his lucrative multiple-year contracts with Tommy Hilfiger and Dolce & Gabbana. 

3. Simon Nessman (CAN) – $1.1 Million

Originally from Canada, Nessman began modeling in 2007 and has quickly become one of the most recognizable faces in the industry.

Simon Nessman became the face of industry heavyweights like Giorgio Armani and Michael Kors while also starring in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana. 

Now, however, Nessman has traded the New York catwalks for the quiet of Clayoquot Sound – an ecological field station on Vargas Island. 

2. David Gandy (UK) – $1.4 Million

Gandy has taken on a role as the UK’s unofficial ‘Mr. Style’ with his work promoting British designers.

He’s just as well known internationally and has served as the face of campaigns with Hugo Boss, Banana Republic, and Massimo Dutti. 

Despite being on billboards for nearly every brand, Gandy is still known famously as the “white pants man” after he squeezed into a pair of ultra-tight swimming trunks to promote aftershave.

Ever since clothing brands have fallen over one another to get him to wear their smalls, Gandy has even gone on to design his own range of pants for Marks & Spencer.

1. Sean O’Pry (US) – $1.5 Million

First on the list of highest-paid male models in the world is Sean O’Pry.

Born in the US state of Georgia, Sean O’Pry was discovered in his late teens on his Myspace profile.

Since then, he’s worked with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Calvin Klein, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, and Michael Kors. 

For a decade now, the model’s chiseled features and striking blue eyes have stared back from billboards and advertisements, not to mention nearly every notable magazine.

And if the name doesn’t ring a bell, O’Pry is best known as the handsome, ill-fated suitor from Taylor Swift’s Blank Space music video. 

Born in the US, the model has become a favorite amongst Italian fashion houses, especially Dolce & Gabbana.

He’s also been featured in every label campaign since his debut and has gone on to become the face of Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger and a regular for Gap.

Conclusion

Here you have it, our list of the richest male models in the world. What do you think?

Who is your favorite model on the list, do well to let us know in the comment section.