Tattoo Artist Income Calculator
Enter your day rate, how you work with your studio, your costs and the days you tattoo. See what you actually take home, each month and over a year.
What you take home
Fill in your day rate and the days you tattoo, and your income appears here.
At these numbers the month costs you more than it brings in.
- What clients pay you
- To the studio
- Supplies
- Other business costs
- What you keep
How to Calculate Your Income as a Tattoo Artist
Everything starts with what clients pay you: your day rate times the days you tattoo. Then the studio takes its share, its rent or its booth fees, supplies come out for every day you work, and so do the other costs of running the business. What's left is yours, before tax. The yearly figure is that month times twelve, less the weeks you don't work.
Why the Same Day Rate Earns Very Different Incomes
Two artists can charge the same day rate and take home very different amounts. On a percentage, the studio's share is usually the biggest line, and it grows with every price rise. The number of days comes next, then costs. Which set-up fits which artist is its own question, and we cover it in what percentage tattoo shops take.
Earning More Without Tattooing More Days
Adding days is the slowest way to earn more, and the quickest way to burn out. The faster lever is what each day is worth: price the session rather than the hour, raise your prices in steps, and close bigger projects in the consultation. How that changes the shape of an artist's income over time is in how tattoo artists go from employee income to owner income.
Common Questions About Tattoo Artist Income
How much do tattoo artists make?
It depends on three numbers: what you charge per day or session, how many days you tattoo, and how much the studio and your costs take before you're paid. Averages hide all three, which is why this calculator works from your own numbers. Across the artists who committed to the process with us, average price per tattoo grew 3.4x.
How do I calculate my income as a tattoo artist?
Multiply your day rate by the days you tattoo in a month. Take off the studio's share or your rent, supplies for every tattoo day, and your other business costs. What's left is your monthly income before tax. For the year, multiply by twelve and take off the weeks you don't work.
Do tattoo artists earn more on commission or paying rent?
Neither is better by default. A percentage costs you more the more you earn, while rent costs the same in a slow month as in a full one. Run both set-ups through the calculator with your own numbers and compare what you take home.
Is the income before or after tax?
Before tax. Tax depends on your country and how your business is set up, so the calculator leaves it out.
How can a tattoo artist earn more without tattooing more days?
Raise what each day is worth. Price the session or the day rather than the hour, raise your prices in steps, and close bigger projects in the consultation. Adding days is the slowest way to earn more, and the quickest way to burn out.
More free tools
Tattoo Day Rate Calculator - What you want to keep, your studio split or rent, your costs and the days you want to tattoo. Out comes the day rate those numbers need.
Tattoo Price Increase Calculator - Your price now, the price you are thinking of, and your sessions. See what the increase adds, and how much room it gives you.
Flash Day Planner - Your flash price, minutes per piece and hours. See how many pieces fit, what the day leaves you, and what it is worth over a normal day.
Booth Rent vs Commission Calculator - What clients paid you over the last 6 to 12 months. See the rent you can safely carry, and whether rent, a day fee or a percentage fits you.
Compare Two Studio Offers - Two studios, two deals - a percentage, rent or a day fee, plus the clients each brings. See which leaves you more, and when that flips.
Guest Spot Trip Calculator - Your day rate, booked days, the host's cut, travel and stay. See whether the trip pays, and how many booked days it needs.
Inquiry Leak Calculator - Your inquiries, how many booked, and what an average project is worth. See your close rate, and what a few more bookings would add.
No-Show and Deposit Calculator - Your late cancellations, how many you refill, and your deposit. See what no-shows cost you a year, and the deposit that covers them.
Tattoo Ad Return Calculator - Your ad budget, what an inquiry costs you, your close rate and project value. See what every dollar of ads brings back.