What is the minimum wage for a tattoo artist?

Tattoo artists working in a tattoo studio are covered by the Miscellaneous Award, as confirmed by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The minimum hourly rate depends on the classification level under that award. At a minimum, all employees aged 21 and over must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (or $33.05 per hour for casuals including the 25% loading). However, award classifications often set higher minimum rates. You can check the exact rate for your classification using the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database.

How is casual loading applied to a tattoo artist’s pay?

Casual employees are entitled to a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave. For a tattoo artist on the National Minimum Wage, the casual rate is $33.05 per hour. When using our timesheet, simply enter your base hourly rate (without casual loading) and check the casual loading box to add the 25% on top. Do not enter a rate that already includes the loading.

How do I convert my hourly rate to an annual salary?

To estimate your annual gross salary, multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per week, then multiply by 52. For a full-time employee, we assume 38 hours per week. For example, $26.44 per hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $52,269 per year. This formula assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For a more detailed breakdown including tax and super, use our [hourly conversion](/topics/hourly-conversion) guide.

Tattoo Artist Salary: How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay

A full-time tattoo artist earning the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour working 38 hours a week would have an annual salary of about $52,269 before tax and super.

Understanding the Tattoo Artist Salary

If you’re a tattoo artist trying to work out your annual pay from an hourly rate, you’re not alone. Whether you’re negotiating a salary offer or checking your current pay, knowing how to convert your hourly wage into a yearly figure is essential. This guide explains the process, the award that covers tattoo artists, and what to consider for tax and superannuation.

Award Coverage for Tattoo Artists

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, tattoo artists working in a tattoo studio are covered by the Miscellaneous Award. This means your minimum pay rate, allowances, and penalty rates are set by that award, not by the Retail Award. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains the exact minimum rates for each classification under the Miscellaneous Award. You can download the spreadsheets to find your specific rate.

The National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

All employees in Australia are entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour for permanent employees (full-time or part-time) and $33.05 per hour for casuals (including the 25% casual loading). However, award rates are often higher than the National Minimum Wage. For a tattoo artist, the Miscellaneous Award may set a higher minimum based on your skill level and duties. Always check the award first before assuming the National Minimum Wage applies.

How to Calculate Annual Salary from Hourly Rate

The basic formula is:

Annual gross salary = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

We assume a standard full-time week of 38 hours. If you work part-time or casual hours, adjust the weekly hours accordingly. For example:

$26.44 per hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $52,269 per year (before tax and super)
$33.05 per hour (casual) × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $65,337 per year

This calculation gives you a gross annual figure. It does not include unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. It also assumes you work the same hours every week of the year.

Fortnightly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, simply multiply your weekly pay by two. Using the National Minimum Wage example:

Weekly pay: $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.72
Fortnightly pay: $1,004.72 × 2 = $2,009.44

Casual Loading

If you are a casual employee, your base rate is increased by 25% to compensate for not receiving paid leave. When using our the timesheet, enter your base hourly rate (without the loading) and tick the casual loading box. The calculator will add the 25% on top. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading, as that would double-count it.

Tax and Medicare Levy

Your annual salary is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

Nil tax on the first $18,200
15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Most taxpayers also pay a Medicare levy of 2% of taxable income. Low-income thresholds may reduce or eliminate the levy for some earners. Use our take-home pay calculator for a more precise estimate.

Superannuation

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is paid separately by your employer into a super fund. For example, on a $52,269 annual salary, your employer would contribute an extra $6,272 in super (12% of $52,269).

Differences in Ordinary-Time Earnings

It’s important to distinguish between different measures of earnings. The National Minimum Wage is the legal floor. Award rates may be higher. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time at $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). That figure includes overtime and bonuses for some employees, so it is not directly comparable to a base hourly rate. Your tattoo artist salary may be below or above that average depending on your experience, location, and clientele.

Using the Modern Awards Pay Database

The Fair Work Commission publishes updated data each year following the Annual Wage Review. The 2026 data includes classifications, wage-related allowances, expense-related allowances, and penalty rates for all modern awards. If you are a tattoo artist covered by the Miscellaneous Award, you can find your exact minimum rate by downloading the classifications spreadsheet. Remember that the award prevails over the database if there is any inconsistency.

Practical Steps to Check Your Pay

Confirm your award coverage – for tattoo artists, it’s the Miscellaneous Award.
Find your classification level and minimum hourly rate from the Fair Work Commission’s database.
Determine if you are permanent or casual – casuals get a 25% loading.
Use the formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 to estimate annual gross pay.
Subtract estimated tax and Medicare to get take-home pay.
Remember super is paid on top, not deducted from your pay.

For more detailed information, see our minimum wage page and casual loading guide.

Disclaimer

Annual pay estimates on this page are based on hourly rate × hours per week × 52. They assume the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.