How much do tattoo artists earn? (Average salary)

Do you dream of becoming a body painter? Before plunging into the world of tattoos, naturally, you want to know what the salary of a tattoo artist is.

After all, no matter how the romance of the profession attracts us, the issue of stability and security remains one of the most important.

We hasten to assure you: Tattoo artist is a profitable profession!

The annual income of a master can range from $19 to 000 million and above!

The secret of this spread is simple:

• An experience: The more experience you have, the higher the price tag for your work.
• Skills: in-demand tattoo styles and techniques are always at a premium.
• Reputation: name and recognition in the tattoo community
• Geography: megacities usually offer more opportunities,
• Standard of living: remember that 50 dollars in different countries

Becoming a tattoo artist is not just a job, it is a journey.

A path full of dedication, hard work and the desire to improve.

But this path may lead you to financial independence and opportunities create beauty, decorating people's bodies.

Salary of an inexpensive tattoo artist

Inexpensive tattoo artists is a broad category that includes specialists with different experience, working styles and approaches to pricing.

Determine the exact salary It is difficult for such a master, but a number of factors can be identified that influence his income:

1. Work experience:

• Beginners:
  • Minimum wage: $ 400 - $ 600
  • Often work as apprentices or in lesser-known salons.
  • Gaining experience and create a portfolio.
• Experts with experience:
  • Average salary: $ 600 - $ 1000
  • Can work in middle-class salons or for yourself.
  • They have wider range of services and higher qualifications.

2. Region:

• Big cities:
  • More potential clients:
  • Higher competition:
  • Average salary: $ 800 - $ 1200
• Small towns:
  • Fewer potential clients:
  • Below competition:
  • Average salary: $ 500 - $ 800

3. Specialization:

• Universal masters:
  • They provide a wide range of services:
  • Can have lower
  • Average salary: $ 600 - $ 900
• Masters with narrow specialization:
  • They provide services in the same style:
  • Can have more
  • Average salary: $ 800 - $ 1200

4. Personal qualities:

• Communication skills:
• Punctuality:
• A responsibility:
• Creative approach:

5. Marketing:

• Promoting yourself:
• Recognizable brand:

6. Economic factors:

• Tattoo demand:
• Cost of consumables:

It is important to understand:

• Inexpensive tattoo artists do not always mean low quality work.
• Tattoo price depends on many factors, in addition to the experience of the master.
• For beginners a low price is a way to gain experience and build a client base.
• Experienced craftsmen can offer affordable prices to attract more customers.

Average salary of a tattoo artist

Average salary of a tattoo artist depends on many factors, but you can focus on the following ranges:

1. Work experience:

• Beginners: $ 400 - $ 800
• Experts with experience: $ 800 - $ 1300
• Experienced craftsmen: $ 1300 +

2. Place of work:

• Beauty Salons:
  • Percentage of work: 30-50% of the cost of the tattoo.
  • Fixed salary: $400 – $800 + bonuses.
• Private practice:
  • Setting your own price: from $50/hour.
  • Unstable flow of clients.

3. Region:

• Big cities: higher demand, higher competition, average salary $800 - $1300.
• Small towns: lower demand, lower competition, average salary $400 - $800.

4. Specialization:

• Universal masters: wide range of styles, average salary.
• Masters with narrow specialization: portraits, realism, ornaments, higher salary.

5. Personal qualities:

• Communication skills: ability to find an approach to the client.
• Punctuality: compliance with work deadlines.
• A responsibility: compliance with sanitary standards.
• Creative approach: creation of unique sketches.

6. Marketing:

• Promoting yourself: portfolio, social networks, participation in tattoo conventions.
• Recognizable brand: growth of the client base, increase in income.

7. Economic factors:

• Tattoo demand: seasonal fluctuations, economic situation.
• Cost of consumables: influence on the cost of tattoos.

It is important to understand:

• average salary is a guideline that does not guarantee exact income.
• Income level depends on dedication, determination and desire to develop.
• Constant self-improvement: learning new techniques, participating in master classes, finding your own unique style is the key to success in the profession of a tattoo artist

The salary of a high-class tattoo artist

A high-quality tattoo artist is not just an artist, but an artist with an impeccable reputation, a unique style and marketable talent.

How much does such a master earn?

There is no definite answer, because income is calculated not in tens, but in hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

But you can focus on the following ranges:

1. Reputation:

• Famous name: publications in magazines, participation in competitions, recommendations from stars.
• Participation in tattoo conventions: networking, exchange of experience, increasing awareness.
• Customer feedback: living portfolio, word of mouth, growing client base.

2. Unique style:

• Own recognizable handwriting: original works, no copying.
• Variety of styles: mastery of several techniques, satisfying different tastes.
• Continuous development: searching for new ideas, experiments, improving skills.

3. Demand:

• Book a few months in advance: high demand, exclusivity.
• Recommendations from satisfied clients: loyalty, trust, growth of the customer base.
• Geography: work in different countries, participation in international projects.

4. Business skills:

• Business skills: planning, organization, cost optimization.
• Delegation of tasks: team creation, distribution of responsibilities.
• Promotion: marketing, advertising, participation in thematic events.

5. Economic factors:

• Standard of living in the region: pricing policy, customer solvency.
• Exchange Rates: impact on the cost of materials and equipment.
• Competitors' pricing policy: market analysis, positioning.

Remember:

• The average salary is just a guide.
• The main thing is talent, perseverance, determination and desire to develop.

Path to the top:

• Improvement: learning new techniques, participating in master classes, finding your own unique style.
• Creating a portfolio: high-quality photographs of work, demonstration of your capabilities.
• Promotion: social networks, website, advertising, participation in thematic events.

Be inspired by the works of the best masters, believe in yourself, set ambitious goals,

And your talent will definitely shine, and financial success will be a pleasant addition to your creativity.

Information on salaries for tattoo artists is constantly changing, so it is important to focus on the latest data.

1. Region:

• Moscow: $100 – $000+
• St. Petersburg: $80 – $000+
• Other major cities: $50 – $000+
• Small cities: $30 – $000+

2. Work experience:

• Beginners: $ 1 - $ 500
• Experts with experience: $ 3 - $ 000
• Experienced craftsmen: $5+

3. Specialization:

• Universal masters: $ 3 - $ 000
• Masters with narrow specialization: $4 – $000+

4. Personal qualities:

• Communication skills: $500 - $1
• Punctuality: $500 - $1
• A responsibility: $500 - $1
• Creative approach: $ 1 - $ 000

5. Marketing:

• Promoting yourself: $ 1 - $ 000
• Recognizable brand: $ 2 - $ 000

6. Economic factors:

• Tattoo demand: seasonal fluctuations, economic situation.
• Cost of consumables: influence on the cost of tattoos.

The famous end of the tattoo salary

It's hard to want to be in the tattoo industry and not on the hit reality show Miami Ink. Kat Von D also has her own LA Ink show. While they have both now expanded into other business ventures, they both used to be tattoo artists in order to amass a huge net worth. Kat Von D has amassed a $5 million fortune while Amy James has $5.1 million in her bank account thanks to a tattoo artist!

How does a tattoo artist make money?

Now that you've seen the huge discrepancies between the lower and upper end of the tattoo artist pay scale, you might be wondering how you get to one end or the other?

Making money in the tattoo industry comes down to a few different things.

Creature number one, you must be self-motivated and willing to put in the work to get your name and your work out there. You can't just walk into a store and try to live off random visitors and referrals. You need to go out, attend events and festivals to hand out your business cards with a link to where they can see your portfolio, hand out flyers to local businesses, or advertise in the newspaper or radio. Do whatever, just put your name out there.

You will not be paid hourly, you will receive commissions plus tips. Typically, the shop you work at gets 40-60% of the amount charged for the tattoo, and you keep the rest plus any tip you give. Other stores may charge you a flat fee to rent a kiosk and keep the rest for yourself.

In any case, this does not take into account that you are responsible for your own supplies: tattoo ink, machines, needles, all that. You can write them off as tax deductions at the end of the year, but that's only for now.

In addition to the fact that the city you get tattooed plays a huge role in your financial success, as mentioned earlier, another important factor is how you treat people. If you are really good at communicating with clients and building rapport with them: 1. They will tip you more 2. They will send you referrals. So it's always wise to try to build relationships and networks.

It all comes down to the fact that you are a salesperson, you need to go out and sell yourself and your product if you want to make big money!

So how much do tattoo artists earn? Well, it really depends on you!