Last updated: September 1, 2023
Tattoo and Tattoo Removal Statistics to Know in 2023
Tattoos take center stage. Their popularity has exploded worldwide. People now wear intricate body art to express themselves. But what trends lie beneath the ink? This article unveils the most intriguing tattoo statistics. Be fascinated by surprising facts and statistics.
Key Takeaways: September 2023 Data
✓ There are 22,500 recorded tattoo parlors in the United States.
✓ 32% of Americans have a tattoo, including 22% who have more than one.
✓ 40% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 have at least one tattoo.
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01
Tattoo Popularity and Demographics
Tattoos are etched on nearly one in three Americans. Fresh data reveals that 30% of the U.S. population now bears at least one indelible ink tattoo.
A greater percentage of women have tattoos compared to men, with 31% of women having a tattoo while only 27% of men have one.
Individuals aged 18 to 29 make up the demographic most likely to have tattoos, with 38% of people in that age group having at least one tattoo.
Over 50% of Americans under 40 sporting at least one tattoo.
Over 145 million Americans have tattoos.
When it comes to getting inked, women now surpass men, with the number of tattooed women exceeding tattooed men by 18% in the U.S.
Millennials make up the largest share of tattooed individuals, accounting for 41% of all inked Americans.
48% of Americans got tattoos spontaneously.
A survey found the top factors influencing people's tattoo decisions were self-expression, aesthetics, empowerment, emotional healing, and remembrance.
Additionally, 10% have a tattoo inspired by a TV show or movie, and 10% got a tattoo for a significant other before breaking up.
28% of people with tattoos got their first one at 18 years old when they became an adult.
On average, Americans with tattoos have spent $745 on their ink, and 16% think their most expensive tattoo was worth the money.
48% of Americans got tattoos spontaneously.
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02
Tattoo Regrets and Removal
The vast majority (92%) of American adults who have a tattoo do not regret getting it. Only 8% of tattooed adults in the U.S. feel remorse about their tattoo.
Fueled by regret and changing tastes, the tattoo removal industry is rapidly expanding and projected to swell into a $795 million market by 2027.
A survey found that making a spontaneous decision dramatically increases regret, with 25% of people who got a spur-of-the-moment tattoo regretting it within just a few days.
However, even carefully planned tattoos can lead to regret for some, evidenced by 5% of respondents who contemplated a tattoo for years yet still regretted it within days of getting it.
The data shows tattoo regret correlates strongly with size - 63% of people regret tattoos smaller than the palm of their hand, whereas only 2% of people with extensive tattoos like full sleeves regret their ink.
35% of people regret their tattoos due to impulsive decision-making.
29% regret tattoos that had personal meaning which later faded. And 18% regret tattoos they thought would make them look cool or stylish.
The top reasons for tattoo regret are dissatisfaction with appearance, no longer liking it, poor artistic quality, faded meaning, and negative impacts on professional opportunities.
When it comes to location, the forearm is the top regretted spot for tattoos, followed by bicep/tricep, chest, shoulder/thigh (tied), and ankle.
Regret can take time to set in for some – 51% reported their regret emerged 2+ years later.
But for others it’s immediate: 18% regretted their tattoo within days, 16% within 1 week to 3 months, and 15% within 6 months to 1 year.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, 48% say their most regretted tattoo was a spontaneous decision.
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03
Tattoo Costs and Procedures
A small, simple tattoo typically costs about $50 on average to get inked.
It's common for shops in larger metro areas to charge $150 or more as minimums.
A full-sleeve tattoo and costs $2,000 to $4,000 for outline only or upwards of $6,000 for full color.
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A full back tattoo covering the entire back from neck to waist costs approximately $2,500-$5,000 for outlines and up to $7,000 total including an additional $200 per hour to fill in color across 40-55 hours of work over multiple sessions.
Forearm tattoos range in price from $250 to $1300.
A large, custom chest tattoo can cost $600 to $2,000 or more depending on the amount of color, shading, and the expertise level of the artist.
A simple finger tattoo can cost as little as $50-100, while a more detailed or intricate design can be $500 or more.
A one-foot hip or thigh tattoo costs approximately $500 for an outline only or $1500-$2000 for a fully colored piece.
A standard shoulder cap tattoo starts at $800-$850 and increases in price depending on size, detail, and color.
A standard ankle tattoo costs $50-$250 depending on the level of detail and intricacy of the design.
Cosmetic lip liner, eyeliner, or faux freckle tattoos range from $500-$3000 depending on the intricacy of the design and the expertise of the artist.
A large, custom chest tattoo can cost $600 to $2,000 or more depending on the amount of color, shading, and the expertise level of the artist.
A full body tattoo spanning from neck to toes costs approximately $100,000 or more depending on the amount of detail and color work involved.
The typical cost for a single laser tattoo removal session is estimated to be between $200 and $500, depending on factors like the size and complexity of the tattoo being removed.
Tattoo removal typically costs anywhere from $423 to over $4,000 depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo.
The world's most expensive tattoo is valued at $924,000.
Tattoo removal costs about ten times more than getting the original tattoo.
Women make up 70% of tattoo removal clients, while men account for the remaining 30%.
A large, custom chest tattoo can cost $600 to $2,000 or more depending on the amount of color, shading, and the expertise level of the artist.
The world record for the longest single tattoo session is 56 hours and 36 minutes.
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04
Tattoo Industry Facts
The global tattoo industry raked in a whopping $50 billion in revenue in 2020, demonstrating the immense popularity and profitability of tattoos worldwide.
The tattoo industry rakes in a staggering $1.65 billion annually, demonstrating the immense consumer demand and profits generated by tattoos in the U.S.
With a market valued at over $3 billion in the United States alone, it's clear the tattoo industry has become a massive and lucrative business sector.
The tattoo industry has rapidly expanded in the United States, now ranking as the 6th fastest-growing business sector nationwide.
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05
Tattoo Artists
The majority of professional tattoo artists are male rather than female.
Most tattoo artists fall into the 40 years and older age range.
The majority of tattoo artists have completed at least a high school level education.
On average, tattoo artists tend to stay at a job for 1-2 years before moving to a new shop or career.
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06
Tattoos in the Workplace
Facial tattoos come with employment disadvantages - applicants with facial tattoos are 61% substantially less likely to be hired for jobs and 17% slightly less likely, illustrating facial ink's negative impact on hiring prospects.
Neck tattoos also decrease employment chances, with applicants bearing neck tattoos 40% substantially less likely to be hired and 26% slightly less likely, showing neck tattoos' detrimental effect on hiring likelihood.
Despite growing acceptance, tattoos in the workplace remain controversial, with over 40% of people still feeling that tattoos are unprofessional or inappropriate on the job.
Only 4% of people with tattoos report experiencing discrimination at work.
About 15% of women report discrimination at work because of tattoos.
About 21% of women are afraid to mention their tattoos to their employers.
Discrimination against tattoos leads to a 30% reduction in eligible candidate.
A survey found 28% of Americans think tattoos make people more attractive, though 36% admitted to lying about liking someone else's tattoo.
75% of people believe that visible tattoos can have a negative impact on a person's professional opportunities.
Discrimination against tattoos leads to a 30% reduction in eligible candidate.
A survey found 28% of Americans think tattoos make people more attractive, though 36% admitted to lying about liking someone else's tattoo.
98% of people believe tattoos are more socially accepted now compared to previous years.
27% of untattooed Americans plan on getting a tattoo in the future, and 66% believe more people are getting tattoos now due to the accessibility and availability of tattoo removal technology.