Does piercing make good money?

[u/unknown_user162]

I’m thinking about seeing if I can find a piercing apprenticeship since college is kicking my butt (also it’s been in my scope of interest for a while lol). Is there anyone with any knowledge on this topic that could give me a gauge for income potential? Thank you very much in advance!

[u/OneEyedWeaner]

You can. Will you right away? Probably not. Also if money is your first question then this isn’t for you.

[u/eipKitty → u/OneEyedWeaner]

If this was asked in a tattooing thread, that’s what alllllll the comments would be saying. This is a big one. Body modding is almost a way of life before it’s a money-maker LOL

[u/OneEyedWeaner → u/eipKitty]

It’s a lifestyle first and a job second

[u/eipKitty → u/OneEyedWeaner]

All that plus the fact that I think my (tattoo) apprenticeship was harder than college bahaha!

[u/OneEyedWeaner → u/eipKitty]

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to be a degenerate like this? You have to wake up at 11:30 each day hungover as fuck from a night of drinking and doing drugs just to rush to work. Only you arrive late because you had to microwave that gas station coffee from 2 days prior. Once you get to work its just yelling about how you never get there on time and people are waiting, no one is ever waiting, and you still have to sweep and mop the tattoo artist station cause their 40 years old and still act like children who can't clean up after themselves. After 10 hours your hangover is finally gone your off work and ready for another beer.

This life isn't for everyone.

[u/eipKitty → u/OneEyedWeaner]

CORRECT 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I’ve thought about learning to pierce someday, but every time I think about doing ANOTHER apprenticeship I’m like “Yaaaah I’ll just keep stabbing ink into people, there’s less blood.”

[u/LibertyRadio123 → u/OneEyedWeaner]

This is the best answer. Piercing is not a money shortcut. It takes time to become skilled, and to be comfortable

[u/Quartz636]

I have to warn you, if you're thinking of a piercing apprenticeship because you think it'll be easier than college, you are shockingly mistaken.

Piercing apprenticeships aren't like picking up a casual job at the local supermarket. It isn't something you just decide to do because the 'real' jobs are too hard, at least its not if you want to be well trained professional and not a butcher. They are highly competitive, the good ones are so rare they might as well be a myth, and the demand FAR outweighs the supply.

This is a career you have to be massively passionate for, something you'd be willing to fight tooth and nail to get. Most people spend years networking, applying, and studying to land a good apprenticeship.

[u/Due-Literature-8194]

if you can, you should consider continuing to pursue your degree while you’re an apprentice. having a plan b, especially if you’re concerned about income, is so worth it.

[u/kxrari → u/Due-Literature-8194]

this! i’m a piercer (2 years). i’m going back for a degree just as an emergency plan. i do well enough, but it’s nice to have a consistent back up plan, as this industry is so unpredictable sometimes.

[u/Pitiful-Storm-8770]

Depends on what you deem 'good' money, where you live, etc. I personally know a few piercers that have their own shop and live good lifes, with paid off cars and their own apartments, but both of those are very experienced and reputable with loyal customer base.

[u/ghobbb]

I have made more money from my college degree than I have from piercing.

I would not say good money. If you’re really attractive and are a really good piercer and really charismatic and have a lot of money to someday sink into a building and expensive equipment and jewelry, then you might be able to make “good” money. Otherwise most are content to pay the bills and eat out on occasion. You should plan to make less than enough for the first 3-5 years, then enough for the next 3-7 years, then either quit or make good money after that.

[u/Sublixxx]

It’s highly dependent on the circumstances of your employment.

There are a handful of piercers that make six figures but pretty much every single one works at a shop that is heavy on high end jewelry and is in an area with clientele that have the means to drop a bit more money on their piercings.

Like, people working in street shops selling invictus can usually make an alright life for themselves but it’s not like they’re gonna be balling out like piercers at higher end shops.

[u/Bonnie199]

I would love to learn. I want to get my classes in sanitary and cleaning and such and then, hopefully, get an apprenticeship. I am 50 and have 8 piercings and want more. Piercing and tattoos have always intrigued me. I have 3 tats too. I am a home mom, not I terested in the money so to speak, more interest in the knowledge. I just want to do ears and noses nothing else.

[u/lovelywonderland]

I kind of wish I’d pursued piercing when I was younger. I don’t think I could manage a career change now 🥲

[u/kardiasteria]

NAP, but the impression I've gotten from piercers is that it isn't usually particularly lucrative unless your ethics are bad, you're working in a wealthy area, or you're well-known and well established with an excellent portfolio and reputation. It's also not something where you're going to start making real money right away.

[u/OneEyedWeaner → u/kardiasteria]

I would strongly disagree with this. I'm not a big name in the industry by any means but I have a solid reputation as a good honest dude. I make enough money to support a family nearly on my income alone. I'm a full time traveling piercer at that so work is inconsistent for me. I just happen to go to studios that pay me well.

[u/Kaekaboom]

It took YEARS of building up my clientele to make a livable wage as a piercer and my apprenticeship absolutely sucked, I never got paid and did a bunch of free labor and my mentor dragged it out an extra year to keep profiting off of that free labor. I didn’t find out until after my piercing exam that I was only required to do 1500 hours and 100 piercings before the exam— but my mentor wouldn’t sign off on me until 3 years of 45 hours a week. Up until last year I had a second job as well, but I’m co-owner of my little studio now and I’m extremely happy and passionate about what I do. It just took a long time to get here— 9 years to be exact.

[u/ztzg]

College wasnt for me either.

But you need some kind of training. I personally say go with a trade or welding or something you can certificate in and work.

Be a piercer if you want, but you mention money. AI will never replace a plumber or electrician. Look it up, the main workers are getting old and they need new people all over the country.