Is it hard to make a living as a tattoo artist?

The tattoo industry isn’t an easy industry to make it in, but if you’re persistent and work hard to constantly hone your craft, it can be incredibly rewarding. On a daily basis, you’ll be helping people commemorate milestones in their lives.

How much do tattoo artists usually make?

The average tattoo artist salary is $61,670 per year, or $29.65 per hour, in the United States. People on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10\% to be exact, make roughly $26,000 a year, while the top 10\% makes $144,000. As most things go, location can be critical.

Are tattoo artists in demand?

Job Growth Outlook The Bureau of Labor Statistics groups tattoo artists with craft and fine artists. The BLS projects that the demand for craft and fine artists will grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is about average. Job opportunities will be best for those who are talented at art and marketing.

How do tattoo artists get paid?

Typically this is paid as a percentage of the cost of each tattoo, which, according to Samuels, ranges from “30 percent to 50 percent, depending on the shop.” Some shops also charge artists set rates rather than percentages, which differ from place to place based on the specific cost of maintaining their individual …

Are tattoo artists poor?

Tattoo artists can make decent money You should also not underestimate the amounts of money you can make as a tattooist. Good tattoo artists earn far more than the average person out there and if you are really good at what you are doing, you may even be able to make a six-figure income.

Is tattooing on the rise?

Given the rich history, perhaps it’s not surprising that tattoos have become more and more popular once again. In part, this is because they are being worn by public figures such as celebrities, athletes, and people within the fashion industry.

What is the average income of a tattoo artist?

What is the average income of a Tattoo Artist? The salary database website payscale.com, which collects wage information from employers throughout the United States, estimates that Tattoo Artists earn between $16,000 and $49,000 annually.

What is the hourly pay for a tattoo artist?

Since tattoo artists receive their pay from clients, the amount of money you make hinges on how many hours you work. Some artists prefer to only work on tattoos that take one to two hours. If you are charging the lowest average hourly wage of $18-$20, that doesn’t make for a big paycheck.

What is the beginning salary of tattoo artist?

An entry-level Tattoo Artist with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $35.00 based on 11 salaries. An early career Tattoo Artist with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $75.00 based on 63 salaries.

How do you become a professional tattoo artist?

Complete an Apprenticeship. The Alliance of Professional Tattooists , or APT for short, recommends an apprenticeship of at least three years. During an apprenticeship, a prospective artist will work in a shop alongside a professional tattooist learning to design tattoos, to operate a tattoo machine, and sterilize equipment.