What is the salary of a tattoo artists?

Question

For people in the U.S.? What are the benefits and the security of this job?

Answer 1

I suppose it depends on how well they do their job. I'm sure there are some who make a very good living and others who can barely scrape by.

Benefits will vary and job security is never promised since a number of things can go wrong and cause a shop to close.

Answer 2

Tattoo artists work effectively as independent contractors in the shop where they work, unless they are the owner of the shop.
Assuming they don't own the shop, they work on commission. A percentage goes to the shop to cover use of it and its equipment (like stencil machines, copiers, autoclave sterilizer, electricity, etc.) which is commonly 50%
Each artist is then responsible for their own supplies and tattoo equipment (machines, needles, ink, gloves, etc).

The benefits and security are exactly the same of anybody who's self employed. Essentially, there are no "benefits" outside of the independence. Insurance, retirement, etc., are paid for out of pocket. The security is based on the shop and the artist's skill and reputation, as well as how popular it is in mainstream culture. One day, when piercings or tattoos fall out of fashion, there's going to be a lot of out-of-work artists doing other things to keep themselves fed. That's even true now as it's not as trendy as it was in the late 90's.

However, the ones who are both exceptionally good AND do it for the love of the art are the ones who make their own security and weather the slow times. Those in it for the money don't last long.

Answer 3

Salary? Are you kidding? Every tattooist I know is paid only through how much they tattoo and then tips. It can vary wildly. I've worked with tattooists who charged as little as $50/hr and as much as $170/hr. Also take into consideration that if they don't own the shop, they owe the owner a cut of what they make to cover rent, utilities, etc. In short, there's absolutely no way to tell what a tattooist will make in a year.

Answer 4

most tattooers either get paid by the hour or by the tattoo. and there are no "benefits" as far as insurance and paid vacation (usually) i would assume the job security would depend on the competency of the tattoo artist. the better you are, the more likely you are to have a job. if you suck, you'll get fired. if you are great, you may get higher paying job offers and have the opportunities to travel.

Answer 5

A good artist can make some good money. It really depends on his or her skills, and location. Some artist travel from Motorcycle event to Motorcycle Event, some have their own studio, and of course some work for someone else. I knew a Good Tattoo Artist in Oxford England he drove a Jag...

Answer 6

Benefits: you can have your own business, set your own hours, set your own prices. because tattoo shops are small businesses and usually artists "rent" out space, meaning they have their own business license so they just give a percentage of each tattoo to the one who owns the shop, in return they don't have benefits that you'd find in a bigger business (medical, paid leave, dental, etc...)

Security: depends on the customer base, usually it varies from month to month depending where the shop is located. You also have to remember that if you are trained in tattooing only and you break your wrist, you're going to lose your way of life. Security also depends on your quality of work and reputation of your shop. if you're popular then you're usually busier than most places.

Answer 7

no security, no nothing... no customers no money.. bascially they do tattoos charge what they want and pocket profit after bills, and buying needles and ink.. so it could be good could be bad..

Answer 8

it depends