Why a Tattoo Artist Career in 2025 Makes More Sense Than Cosmetology, Skin Care, or Barbering

The Oriana Academy
Jul 26
4 min read

Let’s be honest. Things are tough right now. The job market is shaky. Rent is sky high. And even after working long hours, most people still feel stuck.

If you’ve been thinking about going into cosmetology, esthetics, brows, or nails, I get it. But before you commit to a year or more of school and debt, you should take a serious look at tattooing.

It’s a career that gives you creative freedom, financial independence, and something most beauty jobs don’t. Real purpose.

Beauty Careers Are Overcrowded and Underpaid

The beauty industry is packed with people doing the same thing. Salons are full of stylists, nail techs, and makeup artists. Everyone is fighting over the same clients, trying to charge a little less than the next person.

Meanwhile, many of these careers only cater to one gender. If you’re a barber, you’re cutting men’s hair. If you’re doing nails or brows, you’re mostly working with women. That cuts your client base in half. And that means less money, fewer opportunities, and more competition.

Tattooing doesn’t have that problem.

Tattoo artists work with everyone. Men. Women. LGBTQ+ clients. Nonbinary clients. Older, younger, every walk of life. Tattoos aren’t going anywhere. They're not seasonal. They don’t go out of style. And they’re deeply personal.

Let’s Talk About the Money

Here’s what most people don’t realize.

Tattoo artists can earn between $70,000 and $200,000 or more a year. That’s significantly more than barbers, nail techs, or estheticians. Many of those professionals struggle to make $30,000 to $50,000 even after years in the field.

While tattoo clients are paying $150 to $300 per hour, most beauty services are stuck charging $40 to $80 per session.

Even microblading, which looks like a high-ticket service, still limits you to one type of client and only brings people back once a year. With tattooing, clients return for sleeves, touch-ups, and new projects all the time.

The Cost of Getting Started

You might be surprised to know that tattoo training costs less than cosmetology or esthetics school.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Tattoo training: $3,000 to $8,000Cosmetology school: $15,000 to $25,000Barber school: $10,000 to $20,000Esthetician license (skin care): $3,000 to $7,500Microblading course: $2,500 to $5,000 for just 2 to 5 days

At ORIANA TATTOO & ACADEMY, you can start with our beginner program for only $750. We offer payment plans and financing. No student loans, no pressure. Just a real path toward a real future.

The Truth About Cosmetology and Skin Care

Cosmetology schools promise a lot. Hair. Skin. Makeup. Nails. A complete license. But here’s what really happens.

Most cosmetologists end up doing just one thing. Usually hair. You won’t get hired for makeup or facials unless you go get additional certifications. You spend over a year in school and take on serious debt just to get there. And in the end, most stylists earn $16 to $25 an hour plus tips.

Skin care is more focused. You can get a facial specialist license in Florida with just 260 hours. But it’s still a limited career. You’re mostly doing facials for women in spas, not building your own brand. The income is low unless you’re in luxury settings. And most of the work is upselling creams and packages.

What About Microblading?

Microblading sounds great on the surface. It’s fast to learn. It’s high-ticket. But it’s also extremely limited.

Most courses are just 2 to 5 days and cost thousands of dollars. Clients only need the service once a year. The market is crowded. And it’s mainly for women, which cuts your audience in half.

You don’t build ongoing relationships like tattoo artists do. You don’t expand your creative range. And you don’t grow beyond one small part of the beauty industry.

Microblading is a service. Tattooing is a career.

Tattooing Gives You Creative Freedom and Real Purpose

Beauty jobs often mean doing the same trends over and over. French tips. Lash lifts. Blowouts. Brow shaping.

But tattooing is different.

It’s not just about making someone look good. It’s about creating something that lasts forever. Something that means something.

You’ll work with people who:

Want to honor someone they lost Are healing from trauma Are celebrating a major life change Want to express their culture, identity, or strength

This is art with emotion. It’s deep. It’s powerful. And it’s one of the most meaningful careers you can have.

The Economy Is Pushing People to Rethink Everything

In 2025, everything feels unstable. Layoffs are happening. AI is replacing jobs. Rent is rising. People are burned out and asking themselves, “Is this really what I want to be doing with my life?”

This is when smart people make a move.

Tattooing is a skill that can’t be replaced. It’s artistic. It’s personal. It’s recession-proof. And it gives you freedom to control your income, your time, and your path.

Tattoos Are Not a Trend. They’re Timeless.

Almost half of adults under 35 have tattoos. Tattooing has become mainstream. You see it in hospitals, law firms, offices, and boardrooms. This isn’t a trend. It’s a permanent part of our culture.

Tattoo artists can:

Work part-time and still make A full-time income Travel and do guest spots anywhere in the world Grow a following on Instagram or TikTok Open their own studio Sell artwork, merch, and more

You’re not locked into one chair in one salon. You’re building a lifestyle.

Oriana Tattoo & Academy Can Help You Get Started

At ORIANA TATTOO & ACADEMY in Miami Beach, we’ve helped hundreds of students change their lives.

We offer:

Flexible payment plans Modular programs starting at just $750 Licensed programs approved by the Florida Department of Education Hands-on training plus online options Mentorship from real, working tattoo artists , A supportive community and a network that helps you grow

Whether you’re a beginner or switching careers, we’ve got your back.