Tattoo artist salary: how awards set the pay floor versus the national minimum wage

What is a tattoo artist salary?

A tattoo artist salary in Australia is not a single published figure. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia do not report median weekly earnings for Body Artists (ANZSCO 451814), the classification that covers tattoo artists, piercers, and other body modifiers. The only legal minimum comes from the award that covers the work, which is the Miscellaneous Award, as confirmed by the Fair Work Ombudsman. That award sets a floor, but actual pay varies widely.

How awards set the floor for tattoo artists

Tattoo artists working in a tattoo studio are covered by the Miscellaneous Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman has clarified that the Retail Award does not apply, even if the employer is in the retail industry, because there is no classification for tattoo work in that award. Under the Miscellaneous Award, an employee is classified according to their duties and qualifications. The minimum hourly rate must be at least the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, annualised to $52,255. That gives a salary index of 48.2, meaning a tattoo artist paid the bare minimum earns about half the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (index 100).

Award minima rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, following the Annual Wage Review. But the Miscellaneous Award does not have a specific classification for tattoo artists, so the actual minimum rate depends on how the employer classifies the role. A Level 1 employee under the Miscellaneous Award might earn slightly more than the national minimum wage, but the exact rate is not published for this occupation.

What the index says about tattoo artist salary

The salary index compares gross annual earnings to the national line of $108,352 (index 100). For a tattoo artist earning the national minimum wage, the index is 48.2. But many tattoo artists are not paid the minimum. Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 51% of body artists work part-time, and the average full-time hours are 42 per week, slightly below the all-occupations average of 44. Part-time work lowers annual earnings, but hourly rates may be higher for experienced artists or those on commission.

Because median earnings are not available, we cannot give a reliable index figure for the typical tattoo artist. The Salary Index is most useful when there is a published median or average. For tattoo artists, the only certain benchmark is the award floor.

Where tattoo artists work and how it affects pay

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, body artists are concentrated in the Other Services industry, which includes personal care and beauty services. New South Wales employs the largest share (19.8%), followed by Victoria. State-based indices show that pay levels vary: NSW has an index of 101.2, Victoria 98, and Western Australia 106.9. A tattoo artist in WA might earn more on average than one in Tasmania (index 88.6), but again, no occupation-specific data confirms this.

Self-employment and commission

Many tattoo artists are self-employed or work on a commission basis. In those cases, the award does not apply. Self-employed artists set their own rates, which can be much higher than the minimum, but they also bear the costs of equipment, rent, and insurance. The industries page shows that accommodation and food services (index 72.5) and retail trade (75.9) are lower-paying industries, but body artists are not classified there.

Superannuation and tax considerations

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee at 12% from 1 July 2026 on earnings up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a tattoo artist earning the national minimum wage of $52,255, super adds about $6,270 per year. Tax on that income (2026–27 rates, excluding Medicare) is nil on the first $18,200, then 15% on the next $26,800, and 30% on the remainder, plus a 2% Medicare levy. Take-home pay from the minimum wage is roughly $43,000 after tax and Medicare, depending on individual circumstances.

Where to find more

If you are an employer or employee in the tattoo industry, check the pay guides for the Miscellaneous Award. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains the latest minimum rates, but you need to read the award text to apply the correct classification. For a broader view of how pay compares across occupations, see the Salary Index.

The bottom line on tattoo artist salary

A tattoo artist salary in Australia has no official median figure. The only published floor is the national minimum wage, which sits at index 48.2. Actual earnings depend on experience, location, and business model. The award coverage under the Miscellaneous Award ensures a legal minimum, but many artists earn well above it. Without better data, the salary index cannot give a precise number for this occupation.