How Much Do Tattoo Artists Make & How To Start

The tattoo industry is one of the most rewarding when it comes to earnings for tattoo artists. It is a highly valued industry that has been on an upward trend and continues to grow. If you have ever wondered “how much do tattoo artists make,” and are interested in a potential career in the tattoo industry, this post will give you all the information you need to get started!

A career in tattooing is excellent for those who have a passion for the craft of tattooing, but the trade can also be mastered through training, apprenticeship, or experience.

According to Indeed job statistics, tattoo artists make an average basic salary of $64,106 annually. However, the highest-paid tattoo artist can make up to $150,000, with some exceptions of celebrity ones like Ed Hardy and others that earn beyond the amounts captured in statistics.

With just a highlight above, it is not enough to conclude that an artist earns the amount I have mentioned since this can differ with a number of factors that I will discuss, and also from one state to another. Therefore, read through this article to learn everything you should know about the tattoo industry and how much it pays from one state to another.

How To Become A Tattoo Artist – Here’s Everything You Should Know

Becoming a tattoo artist is a career that does not come by itself. It needs thorough practice and education, among other requirements, before you become a master of the art. In this regard, you need to do the following:

Learn To Draw

You must be good at drawing to become a good tattoo artist. Many tattoo artists learn to draw by taking art and design courses online, at a college, or at a community center. However, even before learning about drawing, you first need to have a passion for art and sketches.

Once you have that passion, practice drawing everything that you come across. 

Tattoo Apprenticeship

This is where most tattoo learning takes place. At this stage, you will gain the practical skills required to become a master of the art. While working under another tattoo artist who is well versed in the industry, you will also be challenged to grow some of the most critical skills that will be helpful in your journey.

At this stage, you also have the chance to practice on silicone skin and observe your mentors before you can try it on your own. This is important to avoid the costly mistakes you would otherwise have made on the actual skin.

Apply For Licensing

Each state has different licensing requirements. Therefore, before you seek a business or operating license, you need to complete pre-licensing certifications and work with an established tattoo artist in your apprenticeship to gain some of the crucial skills required for licensing.

Some health and safety guidelines may require obtaining a Blood Borne Pathogen Certification before you are allowed or licensed to operate. Therefore, before applying for a license, you need to check your state’s requirements.

Get A Tattoo Job

When you have the skills, certifications, and license to operate, you can now venture into the tattoo business, whether as an independent contractor or you can apply to work for an established tattoo shop. Of course, working as an independent contractor is more rewarding since you are in charge of all the profits and stake of the business.

Job Description

The work of a tattoo artist is to clean and sterilize the equipment used for tattoo design, book appointments with the clients, create and sketch tattoo designs, tattoo clients while adhering to health, hygiene, and safety standards, and check on tattoo trends among other roles.

Education

When it comes to becoming a tattoo artist, you may not need to have formal education. However, with some tattoo classes, apprenticeships, and the skills that you gain, you can be in a position to apply your skills even without a high school diploma.

However, some established tattoo artists may require you to have a high school diploma and experience for them to employ you. Therefore, the most important is completing a tattoo training course and apprenticeship.

Is Tattooing Hard To Learn To Be A Tattoo Artist?

It is not hard to become a tattoo artist. You don’t need a formal education to become one. With a bit of passion for the art, you can master the craft of tattooing by undergoing some training, then learn more skills from a professional tattoo artist before venturing out on your own.

However, this may take about 1 – 3 years of an apprenticeship program to master every detail and perfect your art. However, becoming a tattoo artist with not be easy when you don’t have an interest and passion for the art of tattoos.

Industry

The tattoo industry is one of the sectors that employ many artists and is estimated to be worth $3 billion. Also, statistics show that the industry is increasing at a rate of 10% every ten years. Therefore, pursuing a tattoo career would be an incredible opportunity to venture into.

Years Of Experience

Many people would ask, “how long does it take to become a tattoo artist?” Of course, this question is more about the years of experience you need apart from the training.

An apprenticeship of up to 3 years would give you valuable experience. Still, the time it takes until you are fully equipped and licensed may depend on your education level or background, skills, and location. This generally will last between 1 – 5 years.

Job Growth Outlook

As I mentioned, the tattoo industry is growing at a rate of 10% every ten years. However, some other statistics show that between 2017 and 2022, the industry grew by 7.3%. That means the industry has excellent potential to expand in the future.

How Much Does A Tattoo Artist Make?

A tattoo artist earns a decent income, according to job statistics. Indeed statistics show that a tattoo artist makes about $64,106 annually, while Zip Recruiter statistics show that a tattoo artist earns about $99,956 annually. This, therefore, means that the tattoo industry pays generously and is one of the most well-paying careers of the 21st century.

Of course, more experienced tattoo artists would earn more than less experienced artists. For example, the earnings of about $100,000 and above are reserved for the more experienced tattoo professionals.

Average Tattoo Artist Salary By State

This table shows the average salary of a tattoo artist by state. I will list the states and their respective average salary according to Zippia Statistics.

State	Average Salary
California	$91,211
Texas	$66,830
Florida	$53,403
Washington	$82,499
Alaska	$94,850
Hawaii	$62,305
Virginia	$80,698
Montana	$54,054
Georgia	$67,130
Arizona	$73,102
Massachusetts	$95,419
Ohio	$78,375
North Carolina	$78,791
Pennsylvania	$79,615
Colorado	$60,105
New Jersey	$99,732
Michigan	$75,521
Illinois	$70,622
Oregon	$79,792
New York	$99,900
Minnesota	$70,196
Maryland	$89,204
Utah	$67,125
Tennessee	$72,859
Missouri	$64,466
Maine	$94,553
Louisiana	$64,566
Alabama	$57,654
Connecticut	$97,442
Nevada	$75,877
Indiana	$84,944
Oklahoma	$66,033
South Carolina	$67,651
Kentucky	$73,394
New Mexico	$64,379
Wisconsin	$83,636
Iowa	$63,737
Arkansas	$62,281
Kansas	$62,296
Mississippi	$74,439
Wyoming	$58,887
Nebraska	$68,079
Idaho	$69,585
Rhode Island	$97,421
New Hampshire	$91,722
Delaware	$92,285
Vermont	$82,944
West Virginia	$81,628
South Dakota	$58,209

Which States/Cities Are The Highest Paying For Tattoo Artists?

The highest paying cities for tattoo artists in the United States include Miami, Florida, and Boston, MA. These cities’ annual earnings are about $84,751 and $155,943, respectively. This is according to Indeed salary statistics.

As per the statistics in the table, some of the highest paying states for tattoo artists include New York, Rhode Island, Delaware, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Maine, and New Jersey. All these have an average salary of over $90,000 annually.

Why Do Some Tattoo Artists Earn More Than The Others?

Some factors that will influence how much you can make as a tattoo artist include the following:

•   The level of skill or experience
•   Educational background and training
•   Popularity and reputation of the artist
•   Location and the size of clientele

Of course, many factors would determine the salary or earnings of a tattoo artist, and the above are just a few of the aspects.

What Factors Determine A Tattoo Artist’s Salary?

As I noted above, some tattoo artists earn more than others due to several factors determining their salary or compensation. First, some artists work as self-employed in their tattoo shops while others work for other professional artists. Therefore, the factors that determine a tattoo artist’s salary include the following:

Experience And Skill Level

As the saying goes, “experience is the best teacher.” An experienced tattoo artist is more seasoned than a novice one, which influences the earnings one makes as a tattoo artist. Tattoo artists who are more established and professional in their art earn much more than apprentice artists.

The level of skills from one tattoo artist to another can vary. Some artists are talented and passionate; hence they gain skills faster than others. The level of income or earnings also varies with the mastery of the craft.

Popularity

Some popular tattoo artists earn big due to their reputation. The more you become known to many clients, the more you can charge for your services. People like Scott Campbell, Curt Montgomery, Pony Wave, and Bang Bang Tattoo, among others, are the most renowned artists in the industry that earn huge salaries annually.

Therefore, popularity also determines how much you can make from this industry.

Education

The level of education and training also matters when it comes to earnings. For example, if you work for an established tattoo firm, you should expect the payments to vary based on your educational background and training.

Location

As I have discussed before in the statistics, the salary of a tattoo artist varies based on location. Some states or cities pay more than others; therefore, your earnings may be limited by the location where you practice.

Speed Of Work

Work speed depends on how fast you complete your work as an artist. This comes with the amount of equipment that you have in your shop. If you have enough tattoo equipment and tattoo professionals, then you can move at a faster speed.

Meaning, that you can attend to more clients on a daily basis than when you have only the bare minimum of equipment.

Shop Ownership

The majority of tattoo artists own their shops. However, some of the larger tattoo studios employ several artists.

Regarding income, an independent artist who owns their own shop can make more depending on the number of clients compared to an artist who works for another tattoo business.

Therefore, if you want to earn more and you have the skillset, talent, and training, you can set up your own shop and employ other tattoo artists to help you grow your brand. 

Size Of Clientele

The size of the clientele also matters when it comes to earnings. If you are dealing with a considerable number of clients daily, then your profits will differ from when you are dealing with only a few clients daily.

Types Of Tattoo

Of course, different tattoo styles earn differently. The simplest ones may make less as compared to the most complex and sophisticated ones. It is also important to note that there are different types of tattoos ranging from old school or traditional tattoo styles to watercolor, Japanese, Neo-traditional, and realism tattoo styles, among others.

Therefore, the earnings will depend on the mastery of your tattoo style.

How Much Does A Tattoo Apprentice Earn?

According to Zip Recruiter, a tattoo apprentice can earn an average of $64,394 annually. However, this can vary from one state to another. For instance, an apprentice salary for a tattoo artist in Florida is $58,640, while an apprentice in California can earn up to $91,211.

Therefore, different cities in the United States pay tattoo apprentices different salaries annually.

Final Thoughts

A tattoo career can pay well if you have the experience and the skill. Therefore, if you want to venture into the tattooing business, then you should expect significant perks since it is a sector that pays well, especially when you have the right tools, experience, and work in an ideal location. 

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