Tattoo Artist Salary

As a general rule, a tattoo artist salary is based on a number of factors that are similar to any other job in the marketplace today.  Among the most determining factors are region, experience and the ability of the artist themselves.

When you apply for employment, in almost any profession, the rate of pay is largely based on experience.  For instance, if you have 10 years of experience as a tattoo artist, you are likely to commission a higher rate of pay than someone who is still new to the industry.  Why?  Because someone with more experience requires less training, monitoring and is more likely to complete the work quickly and with more accuracy.  In a nutshell, more experience will get you a better tattoo artist salary.

In part, a tattoo artist salary will also be based on your geographical region.  For instance, larger cities are a more profitable location for most businesses and they attract a higher number of customers.  Because salaries are commonly higher in cities due to the cost of living, a tattoo artist salary will be higher there than if that same artist were to gain employment in a rural area.

A qualified tattoo artist must be properly trained prior to working in a studio.  Because the only way to have a tattoo removed generally requires surgery, it’s very important that the tattoo is professionally done to minimize the risks of a mistake.  Therefore, the level of professional training and internship will largely determine a tattoo artist salary.  If you are new to the industry and require special training, it’s reasonable to expect a lesser salary than someone who has already had professional training and is an experienced tattoo artist.

As with any other employer, tattoo studios will vary as to how much they pay their employees.  If you work for someone else, you are agreeing to work on their payment schedule and however often they need your services.  If you are starting your own business, you stand to earn a lot more money than if you are working for someone else.  With your own studio, you set the price and you keep the profits.  For this reason alone, many tattoo artists are opening their own parlor and entering the world of self-employment.

If you are interested in learning more about a typical tattoo artist salary in your area, the best way to inquire is to ask local studios if they are hiring artists and how much they pay.  Some employers will invite applicants to submit their wage requirements, but it’s important to consider your region while calculating.  If you submit an hourly wage that is too high, you may miss out on the job.  If you submit an offer that is too low, the employer may think that you undervalue your service and may have reservations about hiring you.

As a final thought to researching a tattoo artist salary in your area, make sure that you consider the amount of work involved and whether or not a potential employer offers any type of benefits, including medical, dental and/or vision.  The more intricate the work, the higher the pay.  If an employer wants to tap into your natural artistic talents, they should be willing to compensate you according to that level of talent.