Tattoo Artist Salary in Australia
Tattoo artists, classified under the ANZSCO occupation 'Body Artists' (451814), work in a creative and growing industry. However, finding a precise tattoo artist salary figure is not straightforward. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for this specific six-digit occupation, and the Jobs and Skills Australia profile for Body Artists lists median weekly earnings as 'N/A'. This means we need to look at broader benchmarks to understand where pay sits against the national full-time average.
Where Does the Tattoo Artist Salary Sit?
The most relevant industry grouping for tattoo artists is 'Other services', which includes personal care services, beauty salons, and tattoo studios. According to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, full-time adult ordinary time earnings in the 'Other services' industry averaged $1,621.70 per week. That is about $84,328 per year before tax. This figure is well below the national full-time adult ordinary time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year).
It is important to note that the 'Other services' average covers a range of occupations, not just tattoo artists. Many tattoo artists are self-employed or work on commission, which can push earnings higher or lower than the industry average. The ABS also reports that the full-time median earnings for all employees (not just full-time adults) is about $74,100 per year, while the full-time adult median is about $90,532 per year. Without a specific tattoo artist median, we can only estimate that many tattoo artists likely earn somewhere between the national minimum wage and the 'Other services' average.
Award Coverage and Minimum Rates
Fair Work confirms that tattoo artists working in a tattoo studio are covered by the Miscellaneous Award. This award sets minimum pay rates based on classification levels, which depend on qualifications and duties. From 1 July 2026, award minimums rose by 4.75%, following the annual wage review. The national minimum wage itself is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week, amounting to about $52,255 per year. Award rates for tattoo artists under the Miscellaneous Award are likely higher than the national minimum wage, but the exact rates depend on the classification.
How Does This Compare to the National Full-Time Average?
The national full-time average is a key benchmark on this site. At $2,083.70 per week, it is about 28% higher than the 'Other services' industry average. The gender breakdown shows men's full-time ordinary time average at $2,181.00 per week ($113,412 per year) and women's at $1,934.50 per week ($100,594 per year). The full-time median for all adults is lower than the average, at about $90,532 per year, reflecting that high earners pull the average up.
For a tattoo artist earning at the 'Other services' average of $1,621.70 per week, that is about $84,328 per year. This is below the national full-time average but above the national minimum wage. After tax, using the 2026–27 resident tax rates, a salary of $84,328 would fall into the 30% marginal tax bracket (after the tax-free threshold and 15% bracket). The Medicare levy of 2% also applies. Take-home pay would be roughly $65,000–$67,000 per year, depending on deductions.
State and Territory Variations
Earnings for tattoo artists can vary by location. The ABS provides full-time adult ordinary time averages for each state and territory. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at $2,290.20 per week ($119,090 per year), while Tasmania has the lowest at $1,846.30 per week ($96,008 per year). Tattoo artists in states with higher overall averages may also see higher pay, though local market factors matter. You can explore state-by-state comparisons on our States and territories page.
Putting Your Own Salary on the Line
If you are a tattoo artist and want to see how your pay compares, you can Place a salary on the line to see where you sit against the national full-time average, medians, and minimum wage. The tool uses a 38-hour week and shows your weekly and yearly figures before tax.
Industry and Occupation Benchmarks
For broader context, the ABS also publishes industry medians and occupation medians. The 'Other services' industry median (all employees) is not separately published in the on-site notes, but the average gives a guide. For more detailed occupation comparisons, see our Job medians page, though note that tattoo artists are not individually listed due to small sample sizes.
Key Takeaways
- No specific median salary is published for tattoo artists by the ABS.
- The 'Other services' industry average is $1,621.70 per week, about $84,328 per year.
- The national full-time average is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year).
- Tattoo artists are covered by the Miscellaneous Award, with minimum rates above the national minimum wage.
- State averages vary, with the ACT highest and Tasmania lowest.
For more information on how these figures are determined, visit our How the figures are set page.