Loading...
Loading...
Compare tattoo artist licensing requirements across 51 US states and territories. Click any row to view that state's full licensing guide.
Avg. Median Salary
$56,027
across 38 states
Avg. Time to License
2 months
across 51 states
Avg. Initial Cost
$277
across 30 states
| State | Median Salary | Time to License | Initial Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $52,270#20 | 1 mo#1 | $50#18 | 1 wk#1 |
| Alaska | — | 1 mo#1 | $390#24 | 1 wk#1 |
| Arizona | $63,380#11 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 wk#1 |
| Arkansas | — | 1 mo#1 | $150#5 | 1 wk#1 |
| California | $140,080#1 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 wk#1 |
| Colorado | $74,010#6 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 wk#1 |
| Connecticut | $72,860#8 | 1.1 yr#48 | $400#34 | 1 wk#1 |
| Delaware | — | 1 mo#1 | —#5 | 1 wk#1 |
| District of Columbia | — | 1 mo#1 | $300#19 | 1 wk#1 |
| Florida | $48,490#22 | 1 mo#1 | $320#23 | 1 wk#1 |
| Georgia | $61,560#14 | 1 mo#1 | $50#19 | 1 wk#1 |
| Hawaii | — | 1 mo#1 | $75#5 | 1 wk#1 |
| Idaho | $43,850#27 | 1 mo#1 | —#19 | 1 wk#1 |
| Illinois | $53,820#18 | 1 mo#1 | —#39 | 1 wk#1 |
| Indiana | $79,280#3 | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 wk#1 |
| Iowa | $38,930#31 | 1 mo#1 | $75#1 | 1 wk#1 |
| Kansas | $24,670#38 | 1 mo#1 | $300#19 | 1 wk#1 |
| Kentucky | $38,500#32 | 1 mo#1 | —#39 | 1 wk#1 |
| Louisiana | $32,390#36 | 1 mo#1 | $100#5 | 1 wk#1 |
| Maine | $44,700#26 | 1 mo#1 | $575#42 | 1 wk#1 |
| Maryland | $72,750#9 | 1 mo#1 | —#24 | 1 wk#1 |
| Massachusetts | $83,530#2 | 1 mo#1 | $350#24 | 1 wk#1 |
| Michigan | $35,080#33 | 1 mo#1 | —#35 | 1 wk#1 |
| Minnesota | $63,730#10 | 1.1 yr#48 | $350#24 | 1 wk#1 |
| Mississippi | — | 1 mo#1 | —#1 | 1 wk#1 |
| Missouri | $52,000#21 | 1 mo#1 | $175#1 | 1 wk#1 |
| Montana | — | 1 mo#1 | —#10 | 1 wk#1 |
| Nebraska | $42,730#30 | 1 mo#1 | $250#10 | 1 wk#1 |
| Nevada | $53,200#19 | 1 mo#1 | —#24 | 1 wk#1 |
| New Hampshire | $34,600#34 | 1 mo#1 | $625#44 | 1 wk#1 |
| New Jersey | $62,680#13 | 1 mo#1 | —#35 | 1 wk#1 |
| New Mexico | $43,250#29 | 1.1 yr#48 | $250#10 | 1 wk#1 |
| New York | $78,690#4 | 1 mo#1 | $100#24 | 1 wk#1 |
| North Carolina | $44,920#25 | 1 mo#1 | $350#24 | 1 wk#1 |
| North Dakota | — | 1 mo#1 | $175#1 | 1 wk#1 |
| Ohio | $31,200#37 | 1 mo#1 | —#10 | 1 wk#1 |
| Oklahoma | $45,190#24 | 1 mo#1 | $350#24 | 1 wk#1 |
| Oregon | $63,380#11 | 1.1 yr#48 | $625#44 | 1 wk#1 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,370#15 | 1 mo#1 | —#24 | 1 wk#1 |
| Rhode Island | — | 1 mo#1 | $450#35 | 1 wk#1 |
| South Carolina | $72,990#7 | 1 mo#1 | —#10 | 1 wk#1 |
| South Dakota | — | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 wk#1 |
| Tennessee | $47,580#23 | 1 mo#1 | $140#10 | 1 wk#1 |
| Texas | $34,600#34 | 1 mo#1 | —#35 | 1 wk#1 |
| Utah | $43,680#28 | 1 mo#1 | $100#9 | 1 wk#1 |
| Vermont | — | 1 mo#1 | $575#42 | 1 wk#1 |
| Virginia | $58,960#16 | 1 mo#1 | $350#24 | 1 wk#1 |
| Washington | $78,370#5 | 1 mo#1 | $250#41 | 1 wk#1 |
| West Virginia | — | 1 mo#1 | —#10 | 1 wk#1 |
| Wisconsin | $57,770#17 | 1 mo#1 | $60#10 | 1 wk#1 |
| Wyoming | — | 1 mo#1 | — | 1 wk#1 |
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Timeline and processing times derived from state licensing board requirements. Cost includes government application and exam fees (excludes education/training costs). Rankings use dense ranking — tied values share the same rank.