Jobs that allow tattoos: where can you work and show off your tattoos?

Even though tattoos have become quite acceptable and popular in today's society, there are places and environments where they are considered unacceptable. Tattoos can create so many problems for ordinary people if they want to work in certain industries or industries. Why?

Well, many people associate tattoos with criminal activity and problematic behavior, so they should be hidden in the workplace.

However, some jobs and careers don't mind people with tattoos. In some professions, tattoos are more than welcome as a form of self-expression. So, if you're looking for a job and have some amazing ink that you don't want to hide, then you've come to the right place.

In the following paragraphs, we will look at some of the best jobs for people with tattoos. These jobs don't require your tattoos to be hidden, nor are they associated with anything negative. So, let's start the list!

Careers and industries that welcome tattoos

1. Sports work

If you are into sports, you might consider taking advantage of such a career as many sporting events don't mind tattoos. Athletes or sports enthusiasts take full care of their bodies, so there is no need to view tattoos as a sign of lack of care and self-respect, as some people would describe.

So, sports professions where tattoos are allowed include football player or manager, basketball player or manager, sports event organizer, club or team manager, sports analyst or commentator, or any other sport-related job.

We should mention that some sports do not allow visible tattoos, such as Olympic sports if you are an athlete. It's not that tattoos are banned, but it's more preferable for athletes not to have visible tattoos during major events and competitions.

2. Physical work

When we talk about physical work, we mean work that requires physical work away from direct clients. Such work requires physical strength and responsibility, so tattoos are not considered something negative. Rather, they are proof of a person's ability to express themselves, cope with pain and overcome difficulties.

Such works include firefighters, bouncers, plumbers, lumberjacks, machinists, military personnel, foresters, gardeners, rescue workers, warehouse workers, construction workers, crane operators; you get the gist.

3. Artistic or art-related work

Art-related professions are perhaps the most attractive of tattoos and body art of any kind. The open-mindedness of the art community is exceptional. Even if you are not artistic by nature, you can still find a job where your creativity in any form will be appreciated and respected.

Needless to say, your tattoos and how you show them won't be a problem at all; most likely, they will just add more creativity and self-expression.

Art related jobs you could apply for include photography, writing or poetry, makeup art, game developer or designer, fashion design, playing musical instruments, singing, writing), dancing or learning to dance, artistry (painting, drawing, etc.), architecture, acting, and voice acting., or any other similar and related work.

4. Work related to medicine

Now, getting a job as a doctor or nurse with tattoos can be quite difficult. For years, tattoos have been a major controversy in the medical community, but it seems that many have become more tolerant of doctors or nurses with visible tattoos.

However, this does not mean that you can now continue to show off your tattoos at work. But some medical professions don't mind tattoos as much as one might expect.

Such works include general practitioner, professor of medicine, military medicine, dentistry, radiology, veterinarian, veterinary medicine (breeding, care, training, treatment), nurse (in some cases), anesthesiologist, drug addiction consultant, paramedic, Etc.

However, this does not apply to every medical community or institution, so be sure to review the hospital's body art policy before applying for a job.

5. Customer service work

Customer service job is not the most pleasant of tattoos, right? You have to provide certain services to people where the first impression really matters. However, some customer service jobs do not require direct human contact, or are more casual and allow for body art.

Such works include customer service in specialty stores, call center operator/customer support, hairdressing, restaurant work, cafe barrister, telecommuting, virtual tutor, waiter, seamstress, Etc.

6. Work in IT

The IT industry is one of the most self-sufficient in the world. In most countries, the 2020 pandemic did not affect the IT sector for a single day. In addition, the IT industry is also one of the most hospitable for different people, including those with tattoos. Nobody cares about body art in IT; all they care about is that you are great with computers and tech. Sounds great?

Then some of the jobs you might want to consider include computer programming, web development, network engineering, systems analysis, IT support, and even if you are not familiar with the IT industry, you can still work as a quality assurance tester. (You will be testing the software and hardware of certain products or applications for the convenience of customers, so you do not need to understand IT).

7. Other works

For these non-specific jobs, we can say that opinions about tattoos in the workplace vary from employer to employer. If you are struggling to find a job in your niche because of your tattoos and the above jobs are not a good fit, be sure to check out the following job opportunities;

Private Investigator, Massage Therapist, Nutritionist, Cleaner, Plumber, Lab Technician, Mining, Personal Training, Engineering, Taxi or Bus (any driving), Restaurant Dishwashing, Own Business, Fishing, Carpentry, Cooking, Beekeeping, And much more.

Jobs and tattoos: 4 things you need to know

1. Why are tattoos important for employment?

As you can see, there can be quite a few job opportunities for people with visible tattoos. The reason for this lies in suggestions that a person has a criminal record or is problematic just because of their body art. This is quite discriminatory, but basically acceptable to most professions and industries. Even though tattoos have become mainstream, they are still problematic and questionable for many job opportunities.

We believe tattoos matter in employment for the following reasons;

• They can create a negative first impression.
• They can turn customers off based on first impressions.
• They can make you less reliable
• People may assume that your past is problematic and criminal
• People may find your tattoos offensive or cruel.

We must emphasize that in many cases, buyers and clients give more preference to employees and staff without tattoos for the reasons mentioned above.. However, there are times when clients or clients do not even notice the tattoo and sometimes prefer a tattooed service provider. It seems that the perception of tattoos in the workplace varies from person to person.

2. Can someone really not hire you because of your tattoos?

Yes, unfortunately, employers have every right not to hire you because of your visible tattoos, especially if you refuse to hide them (or if they are difficult to hide). 

According to the Constitution, no one should be discriminated against and not hired because of appearance, gender, age, nationality and other factors. But at the federal level and under US labor law, your rights are not protected in this sense. The decision to hire you or not is entirely up to the employer.

Thus, if the employer decides that your tattoos may alienate clients / clients, make them uncomfortable or offend them, they have the right not to hire you or even fire you. Employers are allowed to do so based on their work policy, dress code, and code of conduct or conduct at work.

3. What kind of tattoos are not allowed in the work environment?

Well, even if you find a job where body art is acceptable, there are still some tattoo restrictions that you can show off to clients and buyers. For example, offensive or culturally acceptable tattoos are a categorical prohibition not only at work, but also in any other place.

If your tattoos may offend people or make them feel uncomfortable, this is a sign that you should cover them up.

So, tattoos of a sexual nature, obscene and disgusting tattoos, tattoos showing or promoting violence of any kind, tattoos depicting blood, death, racist images, gang affiliation, offensive language or swear words are unacceptable even in the most acceptable working environment.

4. What high-paying jobs can get tattoos?

High paying jobs are generally considered to be the most restrictive when it comes to body art and tattoos. However, there are highly paid jobs where looks don't matter; it's more about your knowledge and experience.

Such jobs include;

• Scientist
• Researcher
• Fashion stylist and expert
• Football player
• Web Designer
• Computer developer
• Actor
• Model
• Interior designer
• Editor
• Dentist
• Laboratory assistant and others.

As long as tattoos are acceptable and not offensive or offensive in any way, shape or form, you should have no problem getting a job in the aforementioned work environment.

Final thoughts

Even though many people find tattoos unacceptable at work, more people are changing their minds and more accepting body art. So if you have visible tattoos, don't worry! You will be able to find a good job that suits you and your skills in one way or another.

Of course, it will be much easier if you go for professions that accept tattoos in the first place. But don't despair of doing what you love just because someone doesn't like your tattoos. Do your thing, try to be the best, and soon people will notice your tattoos not for the wrong reasons, but only for the good ones.