What is the yearly income of a tattoo artist?

According to the job website SimplyHired, tattoo artists made an average income of $32,000 in 2013. Annual salaries for tattoo artists vary by district or state with tattoo artists earning the most in the District of Columbia and the least in South Dakota.

While some tattoo artists may make $40,000 or more a year, with tattoo artists in the District of Columbia earning an average of $50,000 a year, they generally earn relatively average salaries considering the time and monetary investment tattoo artists must make. According to the Chron, tattoo artists generally apprentice for two or three years before becoming licensed and often must purchase their own equipment and ink.