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

Author: Kory Harvey II  |  Last update: Sunday, August 3, 2025

Depending on the company you are seeking to have a career at and how conservative their policies are, hand and finger tattoos are not immediately written off as a reason for someone not to hire you. However, that is not to say that they are accepted everywhere.

Can you get hired with hand tattoos?

Yes. Hand tattoos are definitely still job stoppers and will be for years to come. I say this as a successful guy with hand and neck tattoos. If I wanted to change careers my choices would be limited.

What jobs can I not get with a hand tattoo?

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.

Do hand tattoos hurt your chances of getting a job?

Regardless of whether you want to hear it or not, hand and neck tattoos will almost certainly have an impact on your career at some point. It could stop you getting hired, or an upper-level manager may look poorly on them and it could stop a promotion.

Are you less likely to get hired if you have tattoos?

Michael T. French of the University of Miami conducted a survey with his colleagues of more than 2,000 people in the United States and the survey concluded, “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.”

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

Can jobs reject you for tattoos?

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.

Do employers look down on 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 hand tattoos age well?

HOW PERMANENT ARE HAND TATTOOS? If you think long-term, hands and fingers may not always be a good choice. The aging process of hand tattoos, constantly exposed to intense water and sun, is adversely affected.

How to cover hand tattoos for work?

Do you need to cover up or temporarily hide tattoos on your hands? Our new Light Skin Tone Finger-less Gloves are perfect for helping you cover up a tattoo at work or school. They are a nylon/spandex blend and will also provide mild compression depending on the size of your hands.

Do people regret hand tattoos?

We found that 63 percent of people with a tattoo smaller than the palm of their hand regret it. However, only 2 percent of people with full-sleeves or longer, regret their tattoo. Perhaps that's because people with full-sleeves or longer spent more time thinking about it.

Why are hand tattoos not recommended?

NOTE: Hand, finger & foot tattoos are NOT recommended and NOT guaranteed. They fade quickly (within days/weeks/months) due to the nature of your skin. Hands/feet always interact with other objects. Rubbing against anything will cause it to fade.

Can I work after a hand tattoo?

Keep your new tattoo covered if working in a dirty or dusty environment, clothing and cream is sufficient. Avoid rubber gloves for a week or two if possible for hand / wrist tattoos. Those who work with their hands and desire hand tattoos should ideally plan 2-3 days off work.

What jobs can you not get if you have a hand tattoo?

Which jobs completely prohibit tattoos and piercings? The military, law enforcement and law firms still often enforce strict dress codes that restrict tattoos and piercings. Other employers may also have policies that prohibit them, so be sure to check with specific employers if you have any concerns.

Are there CEOs with tattoos?

In fact, CEO Varun Krishna, who took the top job seven months ago at Rocket, said in a statement to Fortune that he appreciates how the company's culture embraces people's individuality—especially given that Krishna has a few tattoos himself.

What branch can I join with hand tattoos?

Navy Tattoo Policy

Navy tattoos can be anywhere on the body except the head, face, or scalp. The Navy is the only branch that allows tattoos on the hands. Although Navy tattoos can be located anywhere, those located on the torso must not be visible through Navy dress whites.

Do employers care about hand tattoos?

For instance, some companies may allow visible tattoos as long as there is no profane language or graphic imagery. Some organizations may allow tattoos on certain parts of the body, like arms and legs, but not on other parts, like the neck or hands. Other companies might strictly forbid visible tattoos altogether.

Do hand tattoos need to be covered?

Whatever you do, don't pick or scratch

And it's a good idea to keep fresh hand tattoos covered (this also provides the added benefit of shielding that new tattoo from daily wear and tear). “The skin should be kept covered and moist while healing,” Dr. Palm says.

Can a job tell you to cover tattoos?

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

What ages get the most tattoos?

Age: Adults under 50 are especially likely to have a tattoo. Some 41% of those under 30 have at least one, as do 46% of those ages 30 to 49. This compares with a quarter of adults ages 50 to 64 and 13% of those 65 and older.

Do hand tattoos wear off fast?

The location of the tattoo can affect fading

There are certain areas of your body where a tattoo will fade faster. Areas of the body tattoos fade most include the hands, feet, elbows, armpit and inside of the arms. The reason is simple: friction.

How much would a hand tattoo cost?

Finger or hand tattoos can start as low as $50 for basic designs and go up to $300 for more intricate ones. Most people don't spend a lot on finger tattoos since they tend to fade quickly. Some shops do deals where tiny tattoos are around $25.

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).

Does having a tattoo make it harder to get a job?

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.

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.

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