Tattoo hourly rate calculator: how much should you charge?
Enter your expenses, your tax rate and the hours you actually tattoo: the tool works out the minimum price of your tattoo hour so you can make a living from your work.
Minimum hourly rate to charge
$41.02
No sales tax / VAT charged
Minimum price for a 3-hour session
$123
Minimum price for a 6-hour day
$246
Annual revenue needed
$45,120
including $11,280 in taxes and contributions
Calculation: (fixed expenses $820 + take-home pay $2,000) ÷ (1 − 25 %) = $3,760 revenue per month, or $45,120 per year, divided by 1100 billable hours.
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Tattoo pricing FAQ
How much do tattoo artists charge per hour?
Hourly rates vary widely by country, city, experience and style. Rather than copying local averages, start from what you need: your rate must cover your expenses, your taxes and the income you want. That is exactly what this calculator works out.
How do I calculate my tattoo hourly rate?
Add your monthly fixed expenses and your target take-home pay, divide by (1 − your tax and contribution rate) to get the monthly revenue you need, multiply by 12, then divide by the number of hours you actually tattoo in a year.
What tax rate should I enter?
Enter the share of your revenue that goes to income tax, self-employment or social contributions. It depends on your country and business structure, so check the rates that apply to you with your local tax authority or an accountant.
Why count only the hours I actually tattoo?
Drawing, messaging clients, setting up, cleaning and admin are not billed directly. Your hourly rate must therefore be based on truly billable hours, often 20 to 30 hours a week.
Should I include sales tax or VAT in my prices?
If you are registered for sales tax or VAT, the price your clients pay usually includes it. Select "I charge sales tax / VAT" and enter your rate: the calculator shows prices excluding and including tax.
Estimate for guidance only. Adapt it to your situation. Not tax or accounting advice.