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Tattoo Artists in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Jared Ristoff Jared Ristoff New York, United States Last Updated: July 2024 NAICS OD4404

Revenue

$1.6bn

2024

$1.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xbn

Employees

39,171

Businesses

26,895

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Tattoo Artists in the US industry analysis

Tattoos have become unprecedentedly popular over the past decade, especially over the five years to 2023. Long obtained chiefly by members of subcultures, the stigma surrounding tattoos has largely faded. As a result, tattoo artists' customer base has expanded significantly, as has the revenue generated per customer. But industry revenue plunged in 2020 amid COVID-19, as tattoo parlors were forced to suspend business operations to comply with mandated safety regulations temporarily. As these restrictions have been lifted, increased disposable income and tremendous pent-up demand have sent industry revenue soaring. Over the five years to 2023, industry revenue is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.4% to $1.6 billion, including an estimated 4.6% rise in 2023.Demand for tattoos is driven primarily by demographic and cultural trends rather than economic forces. Tattoo parlors generally weather downturns far better than providers of other expensive discretionary goods and services. Despite having the hallmarks of a luxury service, the fact that they entail permanent body modification makes industry services a spending category unto themselves. For example, one Pew Research survey found that among those deciding on a tattoo parlor, only 8.0% considered price a priority. As a result, the industry is expected to primarily sustain its growth regardless of income and consumer spending trends, barring an unforeseeable and dramatic cultural shift. Furthermore, profit in this industry is high and has grown over the past five years.Over the five years to 2028, industry revenue is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% to $1.8 billion. Revenue growth will remain strong because of tattoos' continued mainstream acceptance and per capita disposable income growth. Notably, as the last regulatory prohibitions on the industry are removed, participation will likely continue to surge, and the nature of the industry may change now that it has become a big business.

Trends and Insights

  • The growth in the number of people with tattoos is being driven by several factors, including the increasing popularity of tattoos among millennials and Gen Z, the growing acceptance of tattoos in the workplace, and the rise of social media, which has made it easier for people to share their tattoos with others.
  • Consumers most commonly choose to ink their arms, which serve as the location for an estimated 33.0% of tattoos based on the most recent available data on tattoo placement published by the American Academy of Dermatology. Shoulders are the second-most popular spot (12.0% of tattoos), followed by wrists (8.0%) and chest and ankles (6.0%).
  • Since most industry players are small-scale, they cater to their immediate local markets. In theory, the more residents, the more robust demand for tattoo artists to service expanding residential areas.
  • Competition in the tattoo industry can be fierce, and artists need to find ways to differentiate themselves from others. Developing a unique artistic style or specializing in a specific type of tattooing can help artists stand out and attract a dedicated clientele.
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Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
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Industry Overview

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

COVID-19 shuttered tattoo artists' doors

  • Tattoo studios were subject to temporary closures or restrictions imposed by government authorities to mitigate the spread of the virus.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The acceptance and popularity of tattoos are anticipated to continue rising

  • The continued mainstream acceptance of tattoos and their growing popularity across different demographics is estimated to lead to increased demand for tattoo artists' services.

Biggest companies in the Tattoo Artists in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($short_0)
2024
Profit ($short_0)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Tattoo Artists in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Tattoo Artists in the US

Products & Services

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Custom-designed tattoos, Predesigned tattoos and Body piercing. Custom-designed tattoos is the largest segment of the Tattoo Artists in the US.

Trends and Insights

Custom-designed tattoos compromise the bulk of revenue

  • Given the permanence of tattoos, consumers often seek designs with an intrinsically personal significance, creating the need for customization.
  • More insights available in the full report

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Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • Ink Manufacturing in the US
  • Hair & Nail Salons in the US
  • Design, Editing & Rendering Software Publishing in the US

International industries

  • Babysitting and Other Personal Services in Australia

View all industries in United States

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry includes establishments that provide tattoo services by injecting ink under the skin and permanently altering the coloration of the skin. This industry also includes tattoo-related maintenance, design and modification services, but it does not include laser tattoo-removal services.

What's included in this industry?

Custom-designed tattoosPredesigned tattoosBody piercing

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

TATTOO REMOVALULTRASONIC CLEANERAUTOCLAVE

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 81219 - Tattoo Artists in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The growth in the number of people with tattoos is being driven by several factors, including the increasing popularity of tattoos among millennials and Gen Z, the growing acc...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Consumers most commonly choose to ink their arms, which serve as the location for an estimated 33.0% of tattoos based on the most recent available data on tattoo placement pub...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Since most industry players are small-scale, they cater to their immediate local markets. In theory, the more residents, the more robust demand for tattoo artists to service ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Competition in the tattoo industry can be fierce, and artists need to find ways to differentiate themselves from others. Developing a unique artistic style or specializing in...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Tattoos are no longer limited to niche subcultures; they have become mainstream and widely accepted. Major players in the industry should stay attuned to evolving trends, sty...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Tattoo artists are increasingly required to have formal training and certification. In some states, tattoo artists are also required to be licensed. This leads to a more prof...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Adopting efficient business practices, negotiating favorable supplier contracts, tracking expenses, and implementing budgeting strategies can help control costs and improve ov...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Methodology

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    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Tattoo Artists in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Tattoo Artists in the US industry in United States is $1.6bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Tattoo Artists in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 26,895 businesses in the Tattoo Artists in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Tattoo Artists in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Tattoo Artists in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Tattoo Artists in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Tattoo Artists in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

    What does the Tattoo Artists in the US in United States include?

    Custom-designed tattoos and Predesigned tattoos are part of the Tattoo Artists in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Tattoo Artists in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Tattoo Artists in the US industry in United States.