The national average according to tattoo smarts survey is 250 - 350 per hour. Personally, I charge 200 per hour. Private sessions. I make sure my clients are taken care of and that their experience is exceptional.
Common rates: $75 -$150 hour. However, it's not unheard of to see hourly rates as low as $50-$60 or even well above $200-$250 an hour. For certain in-demand artists, $350-$500+ per hour should be expected as the minimum rate. In comparison, think about the cost of tattoo removals for a moment here.
According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for tattoo artists is about $100. This is typical for experienced, non-apprentice tattoo artists with solid portfolios, but some popular tattooists charge as much as $300 per hour.
A lot of good artists will tell you 100-150$ per hour. But if you are a good customer, nice, etc, and paying for multiple hours of tattooing, it's pretty normal for an artist to charge you less. Also, it's customary to tip, which is pretty much up to your discretion.
Tattoo tipping rates
But as a rule of thumb, a 15-20% tip is usually a good place to start. So, if you spent a total of $200 on a tattoo, tipping anywhere from $30 to $40 shows your artist that you appreciate their handiwork.
Many tattoo artists charge an hourly rate, ranging from $50 to $300 per hour or more, depending on their skill level and reputation. Hourly rates may be more common for custom designs or larger, more detailed pieces.
There's nothing wrong with asking what the hourly rate is, and for a rough estimate of how long the tattoo will take. Trying to talk them down on their rates, though, that's where it gets rude. You have to have an idea of the cost...
Most commonly, you'll find artists who charge based on the size of the tattoo, typically on a 'per square inch' basis. This method is straightforward: you multiply the price per square inch by the total size of the tattoo you're getting. You know the cost upfront. It's easy to estimate and there are no surprises.
The usual cost ranges between £80 and £100 per hour. The time required for each tattoo depends on various factors, including the size, complexity, and intricacy of the design.
For larger projects we'd charge per full day session which costs between £500 and £900 per day depending on the artist and work you're having done.
On average you can expect to charge $50-100 for a small tattoo, up to $200 for a medium tattoo and over $250 for a large tattoo. The sky is the limit though when it comes to very large pieces. It can be very expensive to get elaborate and large tattoos.
In general, tipping is a nice way to say thank you for a job well done, and it's also a way to support tattoo artists who rely on tips for part of their income. That said, according to Sinatra, "A tip is never expected. It is always graciously appreciated."
The short answer is yes and about 20%.
(Put the calculator away. Click here to jump to the Tattoo Tip Cheat Sheet.) Generally, 15-25% should be the amount you tip.
$50 tattoos are approximately one inch by one inch in black ink on arms or legs. Other areas of the body start at only $70. Actual size may differ from listing on this page depending on your browser settings. Please consult your artist for actual sizing.
A full sleeve tattoo can cost anywhere from $1000 to $6000, depending on the hourly rate of the artist and how much time the art takes to complete. For a design in full color, expect to spend at least two full days sitting for the piece, or be prepared to sit for multiple sessions. How much does tattoo removal cost?
Tattoo Size and Time Requirements
Most artists charge a flat rate for smaller tattoos and an hourly rate for any that take longer than an hour or two. For example, you might charge an $80 minimum for small tattoos and an hourly rate of $100 beyond that. It's important to note that these prices aren't standard.
Some artists are in such high demand that they can charge $600 an hour and are booked for months at a time. On average, a full tattoo sleeve can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 or more.
Kat Von D | $400 sitting fee + $200+/hr
Kat began her career in the early 2000s as an artist, creating her own clothing line and appearing on popular television shows. She is best known for her work as a tattoo artist and appearances on LA Ink, and she has tattoo shops in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
For the past 12 years, most tattoo artists charged about $100/hr, with a $50 shop minimum. In some shops, if the owner is a tattoo artist, they might have charged a bit higher. This rate was almost constant until 2021.