How Much Do Tattoo Artists Make?

How Much Do Tattoo Artists Make
How much does a Tattoo Artist make? – Tattoo artists make $63,584 per year on average, or $30. 57 per hour, in the United States. Tattoo artists on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10% to be exact, make roughly $27,000 a year, while the top 10% makes $148,000.

How much do the best tattoo artists make?

How Much Do Tattooists Earn Annually? – According to the ZipRecruiter ‘s latest update, it is believed that tattoo artists in the United States have an annual income of $99,956. This means they earn on average $48. 06 an hour, or $8,330 as a monthly salary.

  1. Of course, this is just an average estimate;
  2. Some tattoo artists can earn as much as $300,000, while others earn as low as $12,000;
  3. To be more specific, currently, the highest-earning tattoo artists make annually around $260,000, while the lowest-earning tattooist in 2021 earns approximately $39,000;

But, why do these numbers vary so much? Why is the discrepancy between low- and high-earning tattoo artists so significant? The reason for this lies in factors like the state where the tattoo artists work, opportunities for economic or wage advancement, even how much people tip them after a completed tattoo work.

  1. Of course, there are things like the quality of work, reputation, location of the tattoo studio, the cost of owning the studio as well as the tools and equipment, and so much more;
  2. We do have to mention that the majority of tattoo artists don’t own their own studio at the beginning of their careers;

They have to work for someone else, which means they do not receive their full earnings. The shopkeeper generally collects up to 70% commission for every tattoo completed at their shop. This means you’ll only earn between $30 or $40 for a $100 tattoo since the shopkeepers take the commission of up to $70.

However, with enough time and experience, even a beginner in the industry can improve their earnings by gaining and growing the clientele. As the customer number grows, especially the number of regular and valuable customers, so does the cost of the tattoo increase.

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As a result, the commission lowers, especially if the tattooist decides to go solo. This gives the tattooist an opportunity to charge more, earn more, and build a stable business.

Where do tattoo artists get paid the most?

Do tattoo artists keep all the money?

How Much Do Tattoo Artists Make Credit: David Clifton Getting tattooed can be an expensive undertaking, typically costing upwards of $100 for even small designs. Given the cost of a new piece of ink, it’s easy to assume that all tattoo artists are raking it in, but the reality is that no tattooer takes home the full amount paid by their clients. And while seasoned tattooers charge more than a novice or apprentice—meaning they bring in more money per appointment—they, like all artists, have a large number of expenses associated with their practice.

The amount of each client payment that an artist has left over after additional expenses varies. Leah Samuels , resident artist at Baby , a private tattoo studio in Los Angeles, says that artists ultimately take home “anywhere from 70 percent to 50 percent, depending on the studio,” but for some, this percentage is lower.

According to Yi Stropky , the Vancouver-based artist known for his clever, minimal style, says that “between 30 percent and 50 percent is normal.

Is being a tattoo artist difficult?

10 Things You Should Know Before Becoming A Tattoo Artist –

  1. If you’re good at drawing, it doesn’t mean you’ll be good at tattooing!
  2. Becoming a tattoo artist doesn’t mean you’ll become rich; at the beginning of your career, you’ll probably work for free!
  3. You don’t have to go to a tattoo school to become a tattoo artist!
  4. Prepare to invest heavily into a tattoo machine and tattoo equipment!
  5. No one can guarantee you success in the industry; you may or may not become successful and have a profitable business!
  6. Don’t expect your every tattoo to be perfect; there will be times when you mess up, badly!
  7. You’ll have to learn to say NO to customers’ bad tattoo design ideas!
  8. You’ll have to learn to be extremely focused on tattooing only, for hours!
  9. Expect to start having back issues, pain in the arms, and neck after only a few years of tattooing!
  10. Becoming a tattoo artist will take a lot of hard work, and we’re talking about years of dedication and commitment!

What are the cons of being a tattoo artist?

Do Tattoo artists get paid an hour?

The average hourly rate for Tattoo Artist ranges from $18 to $22 with the average hourly pay of $20. The total hourly cash compensation, which includes base and short-term incentives, can vary anywhere from $19 to $24 with the average total hourly cash compensation of $21.

How do I get into tattooing?

Is it rude to ask tattoo price?

Many artists find it extremely rude if you try to haggle the price of a tattoo. Though negotiating the price of some goods and services is normal, haggling with your artist over the cost of a tattoo is typically seen as unacceptable and insulting.

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Should I tip my tattoo artist?

HOW MUCH DO TATTOO ARTIST MAKE?

How Much to Tip – If you decide to tip, the next step is to calculate exactly how much to add to the final tattoo price. The general consensus in the tattoo community is that 20 percent is the typical amount to tip — just like at a restaurant or a hair salon.

However, consider this number a baseline, as some tattoos require more or less work than others. Just like there is no one tattoo experience or price, there’s no one-size-fits-all tipping option. “The more you spend on the tattoo, the more you should tip, as they are putting more work into the piece,” says Fiore.

Weed, however, notes that there is one thing that every tattoo experience needs to have to warrant a tip: It needs to be great. Your artist is putting time into the behind-the-scenes of your tattoo, but it’s also their responsibility to ensure you’re comfortable and having a good time while it’s happening.

Why are tattoo artists so rude?

Conclusion – It could be that the tattoo artist that you go to see is having a bad day or has been treated badly by another customer. There could be lots of reasons why they seem to be being rude towards you. However, it could just be their way and they don’t mean anything by the abrupt way they speak to people.

Can you tattoo if you can’t draw?

Do You Need To Be Good At Drawing To Be A Tattoo Artist? – Yes, but the great news is if you aren’t, you can learn. Some people may have more established artistic talent, but anyone can learn to draw. Take a look at our Drawing Tutorials and you will see how easy it can be.

  • Drawing doesnt have to be complicated and a lot of the flash tattoo designs most tattooists make a living from are fairly basic line drawings;
  • Flash designs in general will be made up of a basic line drawing that you can then add colour to;

You will need a steady hand though and there is no better way to learn than from a good tattooist. Most tattooists dont want the extra work of teaching an apprentice. To impress them enough to give you a chance is more likely if they can see evidence of your artistic talent.

How long does tattooing take to learn?

How long does a Tattoo Apprenticeship last? – A tattoo apprenticeship can last anywhere between 1-3 years. Some have been known to last even longer depending on what speed your mentor chooses to teach you at. Some apprenticeships are even paid and working apprenticeships.

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How many days do tattoo artists work?

Skills and Qualifications – A tattoo artist trains by becoming an apprentice. This usually takes between 2 and 3 years. The only way to do this is by approaching a working tattoo artist and applying for the position. You will expected to buy your own equipment and sterilising kit and will not be paid for the apprenticeship.

  • Expect to work around 6 hours a day for 6 days a week;
  • Over time, greater responsibility will be awarded, until you can tattoo unsupervised;
  • Once enough work experience has been amassed, a licence to practise must be obtained from the local council;

The catch is that you must be working and have experience to obtain one and you have to obtain one to work. That is why the apprenticeship is necessary. Working without a licence incurs a heavy penalty. Once the apprenticeship period is over you work on simple designs, moving to more complex work as your experience progresses.

How much do the best tattoo artists charge per hour?

Tattoo Cost Per Hour – Tattoo artists typically charge $75 to $250 per hour , with hourly rates averaging $120 to $150 depending on their skill level, the complexity of the tattoo, and how long of a waiting list they have. How Much Do Tattoo Artists Make

Average Hourly Tattoo Rates

Artist & Experience Hourly Rate
Beginner (1-3 yrs) $80 – $120
Established Artist (5-10 yrs) $120 – $180
Experienced Artist (10+ yrs) $150 – $250
Famous Artist $200 – $500

For example, Floating Lotus Tattoo Studio in Portland has a flat rate of $140 per hour , with 12 years’ experience. Clay Tattoos in Austin, Texas, has a flat rate of $4 per minute. Good Tattoos Aren’t Cheap and Cheap Tattoos Aren’t Good. If you want it fast or cheap, it is almost definitely not going to be high quality. Most artists work at different speeds. As a general rule of thumb, a more seasoned and talented artist with five or more years of professional experience could be faster than a less experienced artist.

How much do tattoo artists make in Utah?

How much does a Tattoo Artist make in Utah? The average Tattoo Artist salary in Utah is $40,109 as of July 26, 2022, but the range typically falls between $36,463 and $44,282. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

How do tattoo shop owners make money?

With just 5 transactions in a typical day, tattoo parlors see much less foot traffic than many other types of businesses we’ve analyzed in previous studies. But with an average ticket price (per transaction) of well over $100, the average tattoo shop brings in $638 in revenue on a typical day.