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Tattoo Artists in the US - Market Research Report (2015-2030)

Lucy Tang Lucy Tang New York, United States Last Updated: November 2025 NAICS OD4404

Revenue

$1.3bn

2025

$1.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

42,207

Businesses

23,774

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Tattoo Artists in the US industry analysis

The tattoo artist industry has evolved rapidly, with shifting demand patterns, changing cost dynamics and growing societal acceptance all influencing recent performance. Over the last few years, the profession has seen a steady inflow of new talent, with freelance practitioners and independent studios increasing competition—and in turn, affecting pricing strategies. Clients are now more likely to seek distinctive, personalized art, resulting in higher-value transactions, but also increasing the complexity and labor required per session. Social media and digital presence enable artists to connect with broader audiences, making branding and reputation crucial for sustaining a steady client base. Despite these positive trends in demand, artists still navigate ongoing challenges stemming from higher wage expectations and regulatory purchasing requirements, which collectively influence bottom-line profitability. Through the end of 2025, industry revenue has climbed at a CAGR of 10.9% to reach $1.3 billion, with no change in 2025 alone. 

Trends and Insights

  • Societal acceptance and generational shifts are driving the growth of the tattoo industry. As younger generations embrace tattoos, changing workplace norms and social visibility are making body art more mainstream, bringing new clients and opportunities for artists.
  • Custom-designed tattoos are becoming a significant revenue driver in the industry. This surge is because of customers' increased need for personalized designs, helped by the industry's skilled artists and the precision of their instruments.
  • The Southeast is a hot spot for tattoo artists. The region's diverse culture and affordable cost of living create an ideal environment for artists, especially those just starting out.
  • The secret sauce for tattoo artists to stand out might be their unique artistic style, excellent customer service and intelligent marketing. If they maintain strong local ties and keep their facilities well-maintained, artists can expect to see their business thrive.
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 10.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.3bn in 2025.

Trends and Insights

Societal acceptance and generational shifts boost tattoo artists' performance

  • Younger generations are showing greater interest in body art, with 41.0% of consumers under 30 and 46.0% of those aged 30 to 49 choosing to get tattooed, according to a 2023 Pew Research Study. Higher rates of tattoo adoption among these groups are reshaping long-term client demographics for artists.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Tattoo Artists in the US
Revenue (2015-2030)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2025-2030)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Changing social attitudes are making tattoos more accepted by consumers

  • Tattoos will continue to be normalized with visible artwork on celebrities, athletes and social media influencers, encouraging widespread acceptance. Studios are expected to attract new clients by promoting body art as both a form of self-expression and a marker of personal identity, thereby expanding their client demographics beyond traditional groups.

Biggest companies in the Tattoo Artists in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue
2025
Profit
2025
Profit Margin (%)
2025

There are no companies that hold a market share exceeding 5% in the Tattoo Artists in the US industry.

Products & Services Segmentation

Tattoo Artists in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Custom-designed tattoos, Predesigned tattoos and Body piercing. Custom-designed tattoos is the largest segment of the Tattoo Artists in the US.

Trends and Insights

Custom-designed tattoos comprise the bulk of revenue, aligning with consumer preferences

  • Custom-designed tattoos refer to body art that is explicitly created to reflect a client’s unique preferences, with artists developing new images or adjusting their portfolios to meet individual requests. This service often dominates revenue streams in the tattoo sector, outpacing basic predesigned pieces that focus on price and frequency.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry includes establishments that provide tattoo services by injecting ink under the skin and permanently altering the coloration of the skin. This industry also includes tattoo-related maintenance, design and modification services, but it does not include laser tattoo-removal services.

What's included in this industry?

Products and services covered in the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States include Custom-designed tattoos, Predesigned tattoos and Body piercing.

Companies

Companies covered in the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States include .

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

Related terms covered in the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States include tattoo removal, ultrasonic cleaner and autoclave.

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 812199 - Tattoo Artists in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Societal acceptance and generational shifts are driving the growth of the tattoo industry. As younger generations embrace tattoos, changing workplace norms and social visibil...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Custom-designed tattoos are becoming a significant revenue driver in the industry. This surge is because of customers' increased need for personalized designs, helped by the ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2025
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2025
  • Major market segmentation in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The Southeast is a hot spot for tattoo artists. The region's diverse culture and affordable cost of living create an ideal environment for artists, especially those just star...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2025
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The secret sauce for tattoo artists to stand out might be their unique artistic style, excellent customer service and intelligent marketing. If they maintain strong local tie...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

There are no companies that hold a market share exceeding 5% in the Tattoo Artists in the US industry.

Analyst insights

Tattoos are no longer limited to niche subcultures; they have become mainstream and widely accepted. Individual tattoo artists in the industry have adapted to evolving trends...

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

A climb in adults aged 20 to 64 can boost the tattoo industry. Tattoos are popular among this demographic, and the industry benefits when the population within this age brack...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profit in the tattoo business is under pressure because of soaring competition. While the industry has become mainstream and stylish, the resulting rise in studios and artist...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2018-2023)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2018-2023)
  • Income Statement (2018-2023)
  • Balance Sheet (2018-2023)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2023)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States in 2025?

The market size of the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States is $1.3bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States in 2025?

There are 23,774 businesses in the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.8 % between 2020 and 2025.

How may import tariffs affect the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States?

The Tattoo Artists industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

How may export tariffs affect the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States?

The Tattoo Artists industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.

Has the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 10.9 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States is expected to grow.

What does the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States include?

Custom-designed tattoos and Predesigned tattoos are part of the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States.

How competitive is the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States?

The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Tattoo Artists industry in the United States.

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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