
- To explain tattooing and piercing procedure to the clients
- To help clients choose images or design or jewelry based on their requirement.
- To help clients with the placement of the tattoo
- To copy the design or image for the clients
- To make stencils of those images
- To prepare and sterilize the area or the skin, where tattoo needs to be done.
41,128 | Tattoo Artists Employees in the US in 2022 |
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6.1% | Tattoo Artists in the US Employment Growth in 2022 |
7.3% | Tattoo Artists in the US Annualized Employment Growth 2017–2022 |
What is the Occupational Outlook for a tattoo artist?
What Courses Should I Take To Become An Artist?
- Take as many college-prep courses as possible!
- Art
- Business
- Marketing
- Psychology
What are the working conditions for a tattoo artist?
Working Conditions. Tattoo artists usually work from a tattoo studio. This is fitted out with books of designs, all the equipment necessary and dedicated work and preparation spaces. Ink pens have to be sterilised daily and after each use; a variety of coloured inks are used to create different effects on various skin types.
Is tattoo artist a good career?
A former tattoos artists, Medlock started making pizzas out of ... “We’re throwing a wrench into some people’s ideas, but I think in a good way,” Medlock said. Did you leave your job in 2021? If so, you certainly aren’t alone.
Would I make a good tattoo artist?
Would I make a good tattoo artist? Take the free CareerExplorer assessment and unlock a detailed break down of your top matches from over 800+ careers. Take the free test. Up Next. What does a tattoo artist do? A tattoo artist is someone who creates permanent images or words on the skin. This is done by injecting ink under the surface of the …

Are tattoo artists in demand?
Job Growth Outlook The Bureau of Labor Statistics groups tattoo artists with craft and fine artists. The BLS projects that the demand for craft and fine artists will grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is about average. Job opportunities will be best for those who are talented at art and marketing.
What is the career path for a tattoo artist?
There is no one specific path to becoming a tattoo artist. While most careers/trades require some sort of formal or classroom education, it is generally expected that an aspiring tattoo artist will take part in an apprenticeship.
What does outlook mean in jobs?
Job outlook: a statement that conveys the projected rate of growth or decline in employment in an occupation over the next 10 years; also compares the projected growth rate with that projected for all other occupations; see Growth rate.
Is tattooing a good career choice?
Tattooing isn't a glamourous career. 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.
What are tattoo artists called?
tattooistA tattoo artist (also tattooer or tattooist) is an individual who applies permanent decorative tattoos, often in an established business called a "tattoo shop", "tattoo studio" or "tattoo parlour". Tattoo artists usually learn their craft via an apprenticeship under a trained and experienced mentor.
Do tattoo artists draw tattoo first?
Your first step will be a consultation where you'll discuss your idea with your artist; they'll trace the area you want tattooed and create a drawing for you. You'll likely come back at a later date for your first appointment (and to see your drawing – this takes time).
What is an example of a job outlook?
Examples of job outlooks Management analysts: Projected to grow by 11% between now and 2029, or much faster than average. Construction managers: Projected to grow by 8% between now and 2029, or much faster than average. Retail salespersons: Projected to grow by -1% between now and 2029, or much lower than average.
What is the average job outlook?
Industry Employment Total employment is projected to grow 7.7 percent over the 2020–30 projections decade, in part reflecting recovery growth from the low 2020 base-year employment.
What is the job outlook for the next 10 years?
Employment is projected to increase by 11.9 million jobs from 2020 to 2030. Employment is projected to grow from 153.5 million to 165.4 million jobs from 2020 to 2030. Pandemic recovery and growth in healthcare-related occupations are expected to account for a large share of projected job growth.
What are the pros and cons of being a tattoo artist?
The Pros and Cons of Being a Tattoo ArtistPro: Work Structure. ... Con: Inconsistent Income. ... Pro: Tattoo Artists Make Their Own Schedules. ... Con: Taxes. ... Pro: Education Options Are Available. ... Con: Strange Work Hours. ... Pro: Constantly Learning. ... Con: The Grind.More items...
Do you need to go to college to be a tattoo artist?
While studying art at an institution is not a necessity for becoming a tattoo artist, studying art offers the chance to develop fundamental art skills and knowledge formally. You can pursue a bachelor's degree in art from a university, or do other art courses at a college if education is the path you wish to take.
Can you be a tattoo artist as a side job?
Tattoo artists often set their own schedules and are not forced to work traditional hours. In addition to having a large amount of flexibility, tattoo artists can have multiple occupations. This makes it the ideal choice for someone who wants to pursue multiple career paths at the same time.
How successful are tattoo artists?
Individuals who want to work as tattoo artists will often experience the greatest levels of success if they are licensed to operate in their states, live in locations that are home to younger generations and have obtained the education and experience necessary to build a reputation. However, the greatest factor that must be considered is the quality of work that the artist can provide. As a whole, it is projected that the tattoo and body art industry will see slow but steady growth over the next decade.
Why is tattoo art so exciting?
Tattoo artists certainly have an exciting job because they meet new people every day and create permanent artwork that their customers will carry with them for a lifetime. Enjoying the greatest level of success is possible with some work, patience and practice.
What do tattoo artists use to create?
Tattoo artists: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more. Tattoo artists use stencils and draw by hand to create original images and text on the skin of their clients. With specialized needles, these artists use a variety of styles and colors based on their clients’ preferences.
How do craft and fine artists advance professionally?
Craft and fine artists advance professionally as their work circulates and as they establish a reputation for their particular style. Many of the most successful artists continually develop new ideas, and their work often evolves over time.
How do craft and fine artists improve their skills?
Craft and fine artists improve their skills through practice and repetition. They can train in several ways other than—or in addition to—formal schooling. Craft and fine artists can train with simpler projects before attempting something more ambitious.
Do you need a degree to become a fine artist?
Education Required. Most fine artists pursue postsecondary education to earn degrees that can improve their skills and job prospects. A formal educational credential is typically not needed for anyone to be a craft artist. However, it is difficult to gain adequate artistic skills without some formal education.
How many hours do tattoo artists work?
There really is no typical work schedule for tattoo artists. Some work first-shift hours, some work second-shift, and some may work third-shift. Jobs can be either full-time or part-time depending on the employer and tattoo artist’s preferences. Evening and weekend work is common as those tend to be the busiest times for tattoo shops.
What is tattoo artist?
Tattoo artists are artists who apply their designs to skin rather than other surfaces or materials. They use a specialized, non-toxic ink that creates permanent designs on client skin. To apply tattoos, tattoo artists must use a variety of tools. Additionally, they must ensure proper sanitation and care for tools to prevent the spread of disease and infection. Improperly sanitized, reusable tools can cause severe health issues, so it’s critical that tattoo artists always follow standardized sanitation protocols.
Do tattoo artists own their own shops?
Many tattoo artists are self-employed and own their own shops, share ownership of a shop with one or more other tattoo artists, or rent a booth in an established tattoo shop. Others work for tattoo chains or shops owned by other tattoo artists or business people.
What is a tattoo artist?
A tattoo artist is a professional who performs body art by applying permanent images, designs and words onto people's bodies. This process is done by embedding ink into their skin using specialized needles.
What do tattoo artists do?
Tattoo artists work closely with clients to develop tattoo designs, which can include simple or intricate images, patterns or words that they permanently apply to their client's body. Clients often come to tattoo artists with an idea or specific design they want and work with the artist to create a custom piece of artwork.
Salary and job outlook
The average salary for a tattoo artist is $63,684 per year. New tattoo artists typically start out working in existing studios to gain valuable experience and may eventually choose to open their own tattooing studios. Several factors can impact the viability of your business, including your experience, location and the state of the economy.
What education do tattoo artists need?
Tattoo Artist Education & Training Requirements. Individuals interested in a tattooing career should be very skilled artists and drawers. To fine tune these skills, individuals looking to become a tattoo artists may choose to take drawing classes at an art school, although this is not absolutely necessary. In most areas, individuals must first ...
What is tattoo art?
Tattoo artists are skilled practitioners who design and apply decorative works of art to the skin of a client . Often considered a symbol of rebellion, an ancient art form, or the work of a non-conventional artist, Tattoo Art has evolved into a modern art form, where it's most skilled craftsmen achieve celebrity status and have potential clients waiting for months to secure an appointment.
Why do tattoo artists use needles?
Generally, tattoos should be kept clean in order to avoid infection and speed up the healing process.
Do you have to complete a tattoo apprenticeship?
In most areas, individuals must first complete a tattooing apprenticeship before they can begin their tattooing career. These apprenticeships usually require aspiring tattoo artists to work alongside established tattoo artists. At the beginning of a tattooing apprenticeship, an aspiring tattoo artist will often find himself sterilizing equipment ...
Do tattoo salves contain antibiotics?
Most tattoo salves also contain antibiotics, which can help prevent infection and scarring. Tattoo artists must be careful which salve or ointment they recommend, however, since some of these can react negatively with certain inks used to create tattoos.
Why do artists need business skills?
Business skills. Craft and fine artists must promote themselves and their art to build a reputation and to sell their art. They often study the market for their crafts or artwork to increase their understanding of what prospective customers might want.
What do artists do?
Artists create objects that are beautiful, thought provoking, and sometimes shocking. They often strive to communicate ideas or feelings through their art. Craft artists work with many different materials, including ceramics, glass, textiles, wood, metal, and paper.
What do illustrators do?
These workers also decorate glass objects, such as by etching or painting. Illustrators create pictures for books, magazines, and other publications and for commercial products, such as textiles, wrapping paper, stationery, greeting cards, and calendars. Illustrators increasingly use computers in their work.
What do artists use to create art?
They use these materials to create unique pieces of art, such as pottery, quilts, stained glass, furniture, jewelry, and clothing. Many craft artists also use fine-art techniques—for example, painting, sketching, and printing—to add finishing touches to their products.
What is the purpose of craft artists?
Craft artists create objects, such as pottery, glassware, and textiles, that are designed to be functional. Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, create pieces of art more for aesthetics than for function. Artists create objects that are beautiful, thought provoking, and sometimes shocking.
What do crafts and fine artists do?
What Craft and Fine Artists Do About this section. Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition. Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create original works of art for sale and exhibition. Craft artists create objects, such as pottery, glassware, and textiles, ...
What do fine art painters do?
Fine-art painters paint landscapes, portraits, and other subjects in a variety of styles, ranging from realistic to abstract. They may work in a variety of media, such as watercolors, oil paints, and acrylics. Furniture makers cut, sand, join, and finish wood and other materials to make handcrafted furnishings.
What is a tattoo artist?
A tattoo artist is a professional artist who makes permanent modifications to others' bodies by injecting ink into their skin to draw images. These artists typically draw their designs digitally or physically and overlay their images onto their clients' skin with a stamp, though some artists perform freehand drawing in their work.
How much do tattoo artists make?
According to Indeed Salaries, the average base salary for a tattoo artist is $64,245 per year. Tattoo artists' pay can vary depending on skill level, experience and location.
Tattoo artist salaries by state
Below is a list of salaries for tattoo artists in each U.S. state, according to Indeed Salaries:

Outlook by Location
Outlook by Quality of Work
- Like any artist, a tattoo artist can only be successful and enjoy a solid job outlook if people enjoy the quality of his or her work. If these artists choose to open their own parlors, they will not only be judged by the quality of their work, but also by the quality of the work performed by their employees. Should a tattoo artist choose to apply f...
Reasons For Growth Or Decline
- The growth and decline of the tattoo industry is often sporadic. As an example, the tattoo industry was thriving in the mid- to late-1950s, and people often traveled from miles around to get tattoos from famous artists in New York City. However, following a hepatitis outbreak in 1961, the entire industry came to a grinding halt. With new measures in place to prevent such infections, this is h…
Job Prospects
- Individuals who want to work as tattoo artists will often experience the greatest levels of success if they are licensed to operate in their states, live in locations that are home to younger generations and have obtained the education and experience necessary to build a reputation. However, the greatest factor that must be considered is the quality of work that the artist can pr…
What Is A Tattoo Artist?
A Day in The Life
- Tattoo artists are artists who apply their designs to skin rather than other surfaces or materials. They use a specialized, non-toxic ink that creates permanent designs on client skin. To apply tattoos, tattoo artists must use a variety of tools. Additionally, they must ensure proper sanitation and care for tools to prevent the spread of disease and infection. Improperly sanitized, reusable …
Typical Work Schedule
- There really is no typical work schedule for tattoo artists. Some work first-shift hours, some work second-shift, and some may work third-shift. Jobs can be either full-time or part-time depending on the employer and tattoo artist’s preferences. Evening and weekend work is common as those tend to be the busiest times for tattoo shops.
Typical Employers
- Many tattoo artists are self-employed and own their own shops, share ownership of a shop with one or more other tattoo artists, or rent a booth in an established tattoo shop. Others work for tattoo chains or shops owned by other tattoo artists or business people.