Is it harder to get a job if you have tattoos?

Author: Jessika Bogan  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 24, 2025

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.

Is it harder to get a job with tattoos?

To answer your question, yes, some do, so you have a lower chance of being hired than someone who doesn't have visible tattoos (in general). That's not to say there aren't employers out there who don't care, or even prefer to hire people with visible tattoos.

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.

Can I be denied a job 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.

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.

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

What jobs are strict on tattoos?

Workplaces Tattoo Policies
  • Military.
  • Airlines.
  • Medical Professionals.
  • Actors.
  • Teachers/Educators.
  • Law Enforcement.
  • Corporate.
  • Legal.

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 the FBI?

Tattoos, brands, and body markings are prohibited on the head, face, neck, tongue, lips, and scalp. Hand tattoos are limited to one ring tattoo on one finger on each hand.

Are face tattoos a bad idea?

Tattoos, especially on the face, are permanent decisions that are difficult to reverse. Even with advances in tattoo removal technology, the process can be expensive, painful and not always effective. The face has very sensitive skin and is prone to infection.

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 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.

Can you be a lawyer with tattoos?

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. Several discussions on Reddit focus on it: “I know plenty of attorneys with tats.

Should I hide my tattoos for a job interview?

If you can conceal the ink, do so. “Job interviews are already uncomfortable, so don't exacerbate things by having to worry about your tattoos being visible,” says Foltz. Consider wearing a full suit. Accessories like rings and watches can hide certain tattoos, but make sure they don't shake when you move, Foltz warns.

What is the disadvantage of tattoos?

A skin infection is possible after getting a tattoo. An infection might be due to contaminated ink or equipment that isn't sterilized correctly. Getting a tattoo at a studio that doesn't follow good safety steps also can raise your risk of a skin infection.

Do jobs care if you have a tattoo?

Tattoos are generally accepted in the workplace as long as they're not offensive, unprofessional or distracting.

Are tattoos more or less attractive?

Researchers found that younger people, tattoo artists and those with body art themselves are not turned off by ink. But even they draw the line at facial tattoos - saying they make people less attractive, according to the study.

Do people regret getting tattoos?

According to a national survey by Advanced Dermatology in Illinois, tattoo regret builds over time. Six months to a year after getting one, 15% of those asked said they regret getting body art. After two years, that number jumps to 51%.

Why do tattoo artists refuse face tattoos?

Some refuse because of how delicate facial skin is, or how quickly they fade because of exposure to sunlight. Some artists don't want to do face tattoos because it is a lot of pressure and they don't trust themselves!

Can you join the CIA with tattoos?

However, the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) website states, “Tattoos will not disqualify you from gaining employment at the CIA, and all professionally-qualified persons are encouraged to apply.”

Are US police allowed to have tattoos?

Tattoo restrictions are included in police dress code policies. Limitations are enforced to create an image of professionalism and uniformity. Police tattoo policies vary greatly, with some departments banning visible ink altogether. Others are much more lenient and only enact content restrictions on body art.

What will disqualify you from FBI?

Candidates cannot have used any illegal drug, other than marijuana, within the ten (10) years preceding the date of the application for employment. Additionally, candidates cannot have sold, distributed, manufactured, or transported any illegal drug or controlled substance without legal authorization.

Can you not be hired because of tattoos?

Yes, California employers can ask employees to cover tattoos and piercings. Employers can even refuse to hire potential employees with tattoos or piercings.

Where not to get a tattoo for a job?

Are tattoos and piercings acceptable in the workplace? Depends on the job! Most industries are accepting tattoos in the workplace but industries such as the military and airlines have limitations on visible tattoos (hands, neck, & face).

Why do tattoos have a bad reputation?

Often, people who have tattoos get a bad reputation due to the correlations between tattoos and gang activity in the past. Today, they are more accepted and less associated with gangs, but they are still considered taboo if you don't follow the unspoken “guideline” that tattoos must be meaningful.

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