Model Rankings 2025 – Who’s on Top and How the List Is Made

If you’ve ever wondered why some models make millions while others struggle, the answer lies in the yearly rankings. These lists pull together runway fees, brand deals, social media income and even royalty streams to give a single number that tells you who’s really cashing in.

First off, the rankings aren’t just a popularity contest. They’re built from publicly reported contracts, verified earnings statements and credible industry sources. That means a model’s Instagram followers matter, but only if they’re turning those followers into paid posts, collaborations or product lines.

How the Numbers Are Calculated

Most ranking sites start with the biggest income categories:

• Runway and Fashion Shows: Fees per show, plus any travel or housing stipends.
• Advertising Campaigns: Flat fees for print, TV or digital ads, often the biggest chunk for top names.
• Social Media Monetization: Sponsored posts, affiliate links and brand ambassador contracts.
• Licensing & Royalties: Income from fragrance lines, clothing collections or beauty brands that carry the model’s name.
• Other Ventures: Appearances, speaking fees and occasional acting gigs.

Each category gets a weight based on market data, then the numbers are added together. Adjustments are made for taxes, regional cost of living and the length of contracts, so the final figure reflects actual take‑home pay.

Who’s Leading the Pack in 2025

At the moment, Kendall Jenner still sits at the summit, pulling in roughly $45 million thanks to her mix of runway work, a massive Instagram following and a personal beauty line. Close behind are Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid, both hovering around $30 million thanks to high‑profile brand deals and frequent magazine covers.

On the next tier, you’ll find faces like Hailey Bieber, who leveraged a strong social media presence into a series of lucrative fragrance contracts, and Emily Ratajkowski, whose royalty earnings from a swimwear line push her into the $20 million range.

What’s interesting is the rise of Asian models in the top 10. Names like Liu Wen and Fei Fei Sun have broken into the upper echelon thanks to booming luxury markets in China and Southeast Asia, proving that regional demand can heavily influence rankings.

For newcomers, the rankings highlight two clear pathways: secure high‑paying runway gigs with top designers, or build a strong personal brand that attracts direct-to-consumer deals. Most of the biggest earners have a blend of both, which means focusing on just one lane may limit your earning ceiling.

If you’re aiming to climb the list, start by picking an agency that offers diversified opportunities—someone who can book runway shows while also negotiating brand collaborations. Keep your social feeds professional, post consistently, and look for micro‑influencer contracts that can scale as your audience grows.

Remember, rankings change fast. A single season’s worth of high‑profile campaigns can catapult a model from the middle of the pack to the top 20. Stay adaptable, track where the money is flowing in the industry, and treat every gig as a stepping stone toward the next big number on the board.