9 Reasons To Become a Tattoo Artist in Florida
Tattoos are quickly becoming the norm for most people in the US, and supply isn’t keeping up with demand. Qualified tattoo artists are needed more than ever, especially with 25% of people between 18 and 25 having tattoos for the first time.
If you’re an artistic person and you’ve always wanted to make a living helping people, then you might be considering a career in this growing field. If so, there are a lot of benefits to look forward to. Here’s why you should become a tattoo artist in 2022!
1. Make Your Own Schedule
Setting your own hours can go a long way toward job satisfaction. Studies show that most workers value work-life balance more than higher salaries when searching for a job, and why wouldn’t they? We only get one life to live.
As a tattoo artist, you will generally get to choose the hours you want to work, although it does vary between studios. There may be certain shifts throughout the week where they will need an artist in the shop, but you will mostly get to set your hours as you please. If you have children, a dog, a romantic partner, hobbies, or a social life, then this could offer you the freedom to tend to these parts of your life as much as possible.
However, you may have to conform to customers’ needs from time to time. For example, working weekends is quite common for tattoo artists, as they are usually the busiest times. If that doesn’t bother you, there’s nothing to worry about!
2. Choose Your Own Style
Of course, tattoo artists have to conform to whatever their clients want, but many artists have the freedom to choose a particular niche or style. If you study and practice hard enough, you could have a lot more control over the art you create and still have a long waiting list at your door!
In the early days, it’s crucial to learn everything. Artists should be able to draw ideas and skills from nearly every style, even if they wind up sticking to one niche. However, if you find a niche that you’re passionate about, there is always room for specializations.
3. Independence
The dream for most aspiring tattoo artists is to own a shop in their career. Owning a tattoo studio comes with some extra responsibilities, but it will give you a lot more independence in your career. Even before owning a shop, you’ll likely start work as an independent contractor.
Most shops are compiled with independent contractors who pay dues to the shop, as opposed to one manager hiring employees. The only challenge here is saving for tax time, but it comes with a lot of freedom. Again, this means you can choose which hours you want to work, plan a vacation without getting approval, and set your rates accordingly.
Is inflation eating away your salary, or do you think you’ve reached some new milestones in your skills? Either way, you can raise your rates. If you’re tired of working on Sundays, work a longer day on Saturday instead!
If you’ve heard of the so-called “Great Resignation” recently, these are serious factors driving people to quit their normal jobs. More than 47 million Americans want to quit their jobs due to low pay, low satisfaction, and a lack of control over their lives. Few careers allow you to start with the same level of independence as a tattoo artist!
4. You’re Only Judged By Your Work
Shop owners and customers will not care about your degrees, previous work experience, or anything else on your resume. They’ll simply care about the work you can put forward and how dependably you can offer that work in the future.
If you have poor work experience or no formal education, that’s fine. If you’re a creative type who loves art, loves helping people, and is willing to learn, then you will go far in the industry!
There are other responsibilities and qualities that are helpful in tattoo artists, but they can be learned. For example, customer service, keeping your space clean, and maintaining a positive attitude will go a long way on the job.
5. Faster Entry
Unlike a 4-year degree, tattoo artists can start earning almost immediately. While it’s generally recommended to have a 3-year apprenticeship with some time in the classroom, you’ll still be earning an income as an apprentice. That’s without $100,000 in student loans!
There are also fast-track options and other ways to become a tattoo artist, and they all have different timelines, so it’s best to find the path that’s right for you!
6. Constant Learning
To some, this is not a benefit. However, for anybody who is passionate about their work and wants to strive for improvement continuously, this is potentially the biggest benefit on the list. Not only is it great for feeding your passion or improving your clients’ end results, but it’s also great for your health.
Believe it or not, those who work jobs that require constant learning are less likely to develop degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The brain is a lot like a muscle, so you either use it or lose it.
Like the tech industry, tattooing is constantly evolving. It’s a creative field that’s very widespread and popular throughout the world, which means talented people are constantly raising the bar. If that idea excites you instead of scaring you, then you’re looking into the right industry!
7. High Salary Potential
Salaries for tattoo artists can vary widely. An old-school tattoo artist that is set in their ways and doesn’t want to learn anything new may only earn $20,000 a year or less. However, a highly-skilled tattoo artist with a popular specialization could be earning in the high 6-figures with a 2-year waiting list.
The average salary for a tattoo artist in the US stands at over $83,500, which is nearly $30,000 higher than the national average. It’s hard to compare averages when tattoo artists set their own rates, but the point is that you will have a high salary potential if you take your work seriously.
That’s an especially high average salary when you consider that it doesn’t require a degree. The average salary in the US with a high school diploma is $43,000, so study hard and never be satisfied. Your work will pay off!
8. Community
The tattoo community is very special and unique. There are conventions, online communities, and networks, unlike anything you’ve ever dreamed of. If you are passionate about the art form, you’ll fit right in!
9. You Can Get Started Now
The last benefit is that there’s nothing stopping you from becoming a tattoo artist. If you’re a creative type and you’re willing to take the learning process seriously, then you can start right away. Just remember, if you want to be successful in the industry, then it’s important to commit.
You can start simply by watching videos and tutorials online just to get an idea of how tattoo machines work, how they are applied, and what the job is like. Make sure you know everything about the job and that it sounds right for you before making the commitment.
Also, there’s no time like the present to practice your drawing skills. Drawing is an essential part of tattooing, so feel free to start designing tattoos to build your portfolios. Study different styles and practice them on your own, but don’t be afraid to mess up!
From there, you don’t have to go knocking on the door of every tattoo shop begging for an apprenticeship. Instead, you can take essential tattoo courses to help improve your skills. Once completed, you can have a portfolio and accreditations to show Florida tattoo artists that you really want to learn from and try to land an apprenticeship.
This is by far the best way to start your career in tattooing, but again, it requires your full attention! If you’ve read everything on this list and it sounds like what you want out of your career, then enroll today!
Become a Tattoo Artist in Florida Today
Now that you know how to become a tattoo artist in Florida, you can see that it’s easier than ever to start such a rewarding career. If you want to use your creativity to make others happy, then what’s better than creating something they’ll have for life? Not only are you helping others, but you’re doing it with the freedom that comes with working for yourself.
Stay up to date with our latest industry news, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for help with enrollment!