Also called: Tattooist
Designs custom tattoos with clients and inks them onto skin at a tattoo studio, following strict hygiene rules and building a loyal client base.
Tattoo artists consult with clients, draw custom designs, and spend hours tattooing with steady hands. Building a reputation and a client base is key.
Top artists with long waitlists earn well over $100k.
Apprenticeship, about 2 years after high school. 1-3 year apprenticeship with a licensed artist, plus state licensing and bloodborne pathogen training.
Ways in: Apprenticeship, Self-taught. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Fine Arts, Illustration.
Growing about average. No separate BLS projection; estimate based on related occupations.
Low risk for 10 years. AI helps draft designs, but tattooing living skin with steady hands and earning client trust stays human.
Classes: Art/drawing, Biology, Business, Graphic design.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-1019.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.