Can you be denied a job for tattoos?

Author: Caroline Reichert V  |  Last update: Friday, October 3, 2025

Currently, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees and job applicants from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin, but does not yet prohibit discrimination based on tattoos or other forms of body art.

Can a job refuse to hire you because of tattoos?

The employer can refuse to hire you for any reason except your race, sex, age (40+), religion, national origin, or disability. Not hiring someone for having a tattoo is perfectly legal.

Can I not get a job if I have a tattoo?

Absolutely. An employer has to protect their image and if they think a tattoo harms their image, or if they just don't like tattoos, they can refuse to hire you.

What jobs will not hire you if you have tattoos?

Here's a short list of some of the most common employers that either don't allow tattoos or ask you to cover them up at work:
  • Healthcare Professionals. ...
  • Police Officers and Law Enforcement. ...
  • Law Firms. ...
  • Administrative Assistants and Receptionists. ...
  • Financial Institutions and Banks. ...
  • Teachers. ...
  • Hotels / Resorts. ...
  • Government.

Will jobs not hire you if you have a hand tattoo?

There still isn't a solid tattoo discrimination law in California. The same goes for California piercing laws. However, business owners and employers are encouraged to consider tattooed applicants as some jobs don't really need such rigorous rules.

The TRUTH About Tattoos and Employment | Do Tattoos Stop You from Getting a Job?

Can you lose a job because of a tattoo?

Can I Be Fired for Having a Tattoo? An employer is generally free to maintain a policy prohibiting employees from displaying tattoos at work. That means in most circumstances, your employer can discipline or even fire you for displaying a tattoo.

Can you have tattoos in finance?

2 – Finance and banking

A banker must maintain a crisp look, with unblemished skin to face clients properly. Although a tattoo never impedes your function and capability to do your job well, having a tattoo is still highly discouraged.

What jobs discriminate tattoos?

Follow along with Tatt2Away® for the inside scoop!
  • Military.
  • Airlines.
  • Medical Professionals.
  • Actors.
  • Teachers/Educators.
  • Law Enforcement.
  • Corporate.
  • Legal.

Can I be a lawyer with tattoos?

Lawyers are not, say, lifeguards. They don't expose a lot of skin. And just about all of the advice we saw on the internet said lawyers can definitely rock a tat — just make sure it's not exposed.

Can you be a teacher with tattoos?

There is no law forbidding teachers from having tattoos. However, there is also no legislation protecting inked educators from discrimination. Each school district or private institution has the right to set its own dress code policies. Tattoos fall within that code of conduct.

How many people get denied jobs because of tattoos?

However, 73% of people say they would hire staff that had visible tattoos. 6% of tattooed people say they wouldn't hire someone with visible ink. Only 4% of tattooed or pierced people say they've actually faced discrimination in their current job.

Can I get a federal job with tattoos?

Whether hand tattoos would adversely affect your advancement in the federal government is entirely up to whomever is your supervisor. Officially, there isn't a dress code so long as your position isn't in the public eye.

Is it harder to get a job with tattoos?

A Tattoo Won't Hurt Your Job Prospects. Michael T. French of the University of Miami and colleagues surveyed more than 2,000 people in the United States and found that those with tattoos were no less likely to be employed than their uninked counterparts, and that average earnings were the same for both groups.

Should I tell my employer I have tattoos?

Simply ask, "Is it okay to have facial piercings or visible tattoos at work?" This demonstrates honesty and allows the employer to assess your fit within their company culture.

Can I be fired for my tattoos?

An employee in California can be fired for their hair color, tattoos, or piercings if an employer has a legitimate business reason for enforcing a dress code or grooming policy that prohibits these traits.

Can you get a professional job with tattoos?

Tattoos are generally accepted in the workplace as long as they're not offensive, unprofessional or distracting. However, visible tattoos may not be appropriate for every profession. Even if your company allows body art, you may find that customers or coworkers discriminate against tattooed employees.

Do tattoos hurt your acting career?

The decision of whether or not actors should have tattoos is a subjective one. It depends on personal and professional preferences. Some industry professionals believe that tattoos enhance characters, bringing a unique edge. While others see them as a distraction that can limit an actor's career opportunities.

Can nurses have tattoos?

As mentioned above, there is no rule concerning tattoos on nurses by the American Nursing Association (ANA). What's more, these days, many medical facilities will allow small tattoos on nurses to be visible.

How to remove a permanent tattoo?

Common techniques used for tattoo removal include laser surgery, surgical removal and dermabrasion. Tattoo ink is placed beneath the top layer of the skin. That makes tattoo removal more complicated — and expensive — than the original tattoo application.

Can you donate blood with tattoos?

Most people with tattoos can donate blood as long as they don't have risk factors that prohibit or limit blood donation, and if they got a tattoo at a state regulated facility. In the U.S. you have to wait 3 months to donate if the tattoo was from a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities.

How many people get tattoos every year?

How many people in the US get a tattoo every year? Americans get 11 million new tattoos every year. That's greater than the population of New York City!

Can you make money removing tattoos?

It depends on the size, area, and color, but laser tattoo removal can cost a client anywhere from $50 – $300 per session. On average, a client may need 10 – 12 treatments to see full results. This means you have the potential to earn thousands off of each tattoo removal client.

Can you get a tattoo with credit?

You can pay via debit, credit, or some other method of payment that the tattoo shop accepts.

Can doctors have hand tattoos?

Generally, most medical schools do not prohibit visible tattoos on the body, provided that they are properly covered when not in use. There are a few exceptions, however. For example, the University of Michigan Health System strictly prohibits any visible tattoos on the hands or arms of its doctors.

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