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Tattoo Artist Salary in the United States
How much does a Tattoo Artist make in the United States?
$37,951 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$497 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$38,062.16
Entry Level
$29,226
Median
$37,565
Senior Level
$41,763
As of July, 23, 2026, the average tattoo artist gross salary in United States is $37,951 or an equivalent hourly rate of $18. In addition, tattoo artists earn an average bonus of $497. An entry level tattoo artist with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $29,226. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level tattoo artist with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $41,763. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Tattoo Artist
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Tattoo Artist in the United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Tattoo Artist will be $38,934 in 1 year and $43,128 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$39,943
Average Growth
5.2 %
The estimated salary for a Tattoo Artist in 2 years is $39,943, which is 5.2 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Tattoo Artist Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Tattoo Artists.
- 5% of Tattoo Artists have less than a High School Diploma
- 71% of Tattoo Artists have a High School Diploma
- 12% of Tattoo Artists have an Associate's Degree
- 11% of Tattoo Artists have a Bachelor's Degree
- 1% of Tattoo Artists have a Master's Degree
- 0% of Tattoo Artists have a Doctorate Degree
Popular Skills for a Tattoo Artist
Answers telephone
65%
Supports employer
65%
Compares prices
59%
Leads activities
47%
Aids employer
41%
Purchases clothing
24%
These are the most popular skills for Tattoo Artists. About 65% of Tattoo Artists have a skill in Answers telephone. The top 3 most popular skills for Tattoo Artists are answers telephone, supports employer, and compares prices.
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Where can a Tattoo Artist earn more?
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Tattoo Artist Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in the United States
Tattoo Artist Jobs
View moreCost of Living in the United States
The cost of living in the United States is equal to the national average.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Tattoo Artist do?
Pricks skin of patron, using needled electric tool, that inserts indelible nontoxic pigment into skin to form decorative or ornamental design. Shaves area to receive tattoo and washes it, using germicidal soap. Presses charcoal-coated stencil, draws design, or traces pattern of design onto skin of patron, to mark outline of design. Dips needles of tool into colored pigment solution and presses needles into skin to insert indelible pigment into skin following outline of design. Applies sterile dressing to area. Sterilizes needles in steam-heated cabinet (sterilizer). Mixes nontoxic colored pigments according to formula. Adjusts and repairs needled electric tool, using handtools, such as screwdrivers and pliers. May draw original designs on paper, trace designs onto acetate sheet, and cut out design to form pattern or stencil, using stylus and knife.
How much does a Tattoo Artist make in the United States?
The average salary for a Tattoo Artist is $37,951 per year or $18.25 per hour in the United States. Top earners have reported making up to $41,763. However, the typical pay range in the United States is between $29,226 and $41,763 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Tattoo Artist?
Tattoo Artist is projected to see a 13.6 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Tattoo Artist salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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