Can You Make a Lot of Money by Being a Tattoo Artist? – DC Fashion Week (2024)

If you’re looking for an interesting and creative career that can also be lucrative, becoming a tattoo artist may be the perfect choice for you. Tattooing is a popular form of art that is growing in popularity every day. As a tattoo artist, you could make a very good living doing something you love. This blog post will discuss the pros and cons of being a tattoo artist and what you can expect to make in terms of income. We will also provide tips on becoming a successful tattoo artist.

How Much Money Does a Tattoo Artist Make in a Month?

Even though a lot of people might not think that being a tattoo artist is a “real” job, the fact is that it can be pretty lucrative. The average tattoo artist brings in around $1,000 per month, though this number varies depending on experience, location, and other factors.

Of course, like any other job, there are ways to make more money as a tattoo artist. If you’re good at your craft and build up a strong clientele, you could easily make $2,000 or more per month. And if you own your own shop, the sky’s the limit.

So, if you’re considering becoming a tattoo artist, know that it can be a very lucrative career. Just be sure to hone your skills and build a strong client base, and you could make more money than you ever thought possible.

However, you will truly experience starting out with easy tattoo designs that are not as popular and working your way up the totem pole. You could end up making a comfortable middle-class wage or become one of the top-earning tattoo artists in the world.

Though most people in the industry will tell you it is more about your work’s quality than quantity. Some very successful part-time tattoo artists make a great living without ever inking more than a couple of dozen tattoos per month.

The average hourly wage for a tattoo artist is about $60, which means that the average tattoo artist makes about $960 per week. The median annual salary for all tattoo artists in the United States is $32,000, which means that half of all tattoo artists earn more than that amount and half earn less.

However, the top 10% of earners make an average of $74,000 per year, which means that if you want to make serious money as a tattoo artist, you’ll need to be in the top tier of earners.

Of course, these numbers will vary depending on your experience, location, and other factors. However, these general averages can give you an idea of what to expect as a tattoo artist.

So, if you’re considering becoming a tattoo artist, know that it can be a very lucrative career. Just be sure to hone your skills and build a strong client base, and you could make more money than you ever thought possible.

Tips for Becoming a Better Tattoo Artist

If you are serious in your endeavour to become a better tattoo artist, there are certain things you should do. These include the following:

Practice A Lot

One of the most important things you need to do if you want to become a better tattoo artist is to practice as much as possible. This will help you hone your skills and get a feel for the different techniques involved in tattooing. You can practice on yourself or on friends and family members who are willing to be your guinea pigs.

Another option is to find a tattoo apprenticeship. This is where you will work under the supervision of an experienced tattoo artist and learn all the ins and outs of the trade. This is an excellent way to get real-world experience and also learn from someone who already knows what they are doing.

Research Different Tattoo Styles

If you want to become a better tattoo artist, it is also essential that you research different tattoo styles. This way, you can find the style that best suits your personal taste and preferences. There are literally thousands of different tattoo designs, so you should have no problem finding something you like.

Talk to Other Tattoo Artists

Another great way to become a better tattoo artist is to talk to other tattoo artists. This way, you can get their opinion on different techniques and styles and find out about any new products or equipment they may be using. Talking to other tattoo artists is also a great way to network and make contacts in the industry.

Invest in Good Equipment

While it is possible to tattoo with just about any type of equipment, it is essential to invest in good quality equipment if you want to be a successful tattoo artist. This includes things like tattoo guns, needles, inks, and other supplies.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment. If you are not sure about something, try it out. The worst that can happen is that it doesn’t work out, but you will never know unless you try.

Becoming a better tattoo artist takes time, patience, and practice. However, if you are willing to put in the effort, you can improve your skills and become the best tattoo artist you can be.

Use these tips to become a better tattoo artist and you will be well on your way to success! Just make sure you dedicate yourself to practice and research, and you will surely see the results you are looking for.

Bottom Line

While being a tattoo artist is a great way to make a living, it is not a guarantee that you will become rich. Many factors will affect your income, including the size and location of your shop, the number of clients you have, and the designs you offer. However, with hard work and dedication, it is possible to make a good living as a tattoo artist.

Can You Make a Lot of Money by Being a Tattoo Artist? – DC Fashion Week (2024)

FAQs

Can you make good money being a tattoo artist? ›

How much does a Tattoo Artist make in California? As of Jun 12, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Tattoo Artist in California is $48.61 an hour.

What is the highest paid tattoo artist? ›

Scott Campbell

Scott is one of the highest-paid Tattoo Artists in the world, with a net worth of around $10 million. He has tattooed many famous celebrities, including Robert Downey Jr., Sting, and Penelope Cruz. Campbell's tattoo style is known for its intricate designs and attention to detail.

Are tattoo artists in high demand? ›

The continued mainstream acceptance of tattoos and their growing popularity across different demographics is estimated to lead to increased demand for tattoo artists' services.

Can a tattoo artist be a millionaire? ›

Tattooing has the potential to make you rich. Still, it greatly depends on various factors, such as the artist's skill level, reputation, business acumen, and strategies for marketing and growing their tattooing business.

Is a tattoo artist a livable job? ›

There are plenty of benefits, like the ability to travel, the earning potential, the ability to meet new people, and more, but there are just as many downsides for people who aren't prepared. First, it takes a lot of work to get to the point that you're making a lot of money.

Is $300 an hour a lot for a tattoo? ›

Many tattoo artists charge an hourly rate, ranging from $50 to $300 per hour or more, depending on their skill level and reputation. Hourly rates may be more common for custom designs or larger, more detailed pieces.

Is $200 an hour a lot for a tattoo artist? ›

On average, tattoo artists charge $100 to $250 an hour, although in certain cases, high-profile tattoo artists charge more. Consider how in-demand your prospective artist is, based on factors such as their number of Instagram followers as well as awards given to the studio or artist, which can help determine rates.

How big is a $500 tattoo? ›

Hip/Thigh. A standard-size hip or thigh tattoo (about 12 inches in length) will run you about $500 for outline only, or anywhere from $1500 to $2000 for full color.

Is tattooing a reliable career? ›

However, having a career in tattooing is not only fulfilling, but it's also the most stable way to make a living as an artist. If you love the art - and you're ready to meet inspiring artists along the way - it's worth the hard work.

Is it hard to get a job as a tattoo artist? ›

No matter how great of a tattoo artist you might be, it doesn't mean you'll immediately get a job – paid or unpaid – at a tattoo shop. No doubt, becoming a tattoo artist is a challenging process that requires a significant amount of dedication and hard work.

Is tattooing a high income skill? ›

Being A Tattoo Artist Is A High-Paying Skill

At the beginning of your career, you'll start in a studio at around a 50% commission, which is $75 – $100 an hour. Not bad! The more skilled you become, the more you can charge for your tattoos and the higher the commission that tattoo studio will pay you.

How many tattoos does an artist do a day? ›

I usually book two or three appointments per day. I try to reserve an ample amount of time to put the bells and whistles on each drawing and to make any changes that need to be made when the client comes in. Some days are totally swamped and I do not get a chance to eat.

Do tattoo artists love their job? ›

Fortunately, that creates a significant demand that still isn't filled! Also, you get to help people improve their appearance, feel more confident, and give them something they will have for the rest of their lives. Because of this, a good tattoo artist will generally experience high levels of job satisfaction.

How many hours do tattoo artists work? ›

A tattoo artist's hours are variable, depending on whether they are employed or self-employed and work full-time or part-time. Most will work 30–40 hours a week, Monday–Friday, 9–5.

Can you be successful as a tattoo artist? ›

The trick to becoming a successful tattoo artist is realizing there are no quick & dirty tricks to becoming a successful tattoo artist. Becoming successful in the tattoo industry requires years of investment – it's an investment of time, an investment of the body, an investment of the mind, and an investment of money.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5958

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.