Statistics show tattoo popularity has grown 13% since 2007, which is propelled by certain industries that allow visible tattoos in the workplace.

Common jobs that will allow visible tattoos are:

What’s Acceptable and What’s Not

Most jobs are highly unlikely to accept visible tattoos that portray as any of these:

• Obscene
• Gruesome
• Nudity
• Sexism
• Racism
• Gang-related
• Drug-related
• Hate
• Discriminating symbols

It’s highly unlikely to find a job that accepts any of these types as they give a very negative impression about you — not an example of someone they’d want to work with. If you have a tattoo containing any of the subjects above, you’ll very likely have to cover your tattoos for work if they give you a job at all.

Jobs That Accept Visible Tattoos

Military

The military does have policies regulating tattoos on the face, neck, and arms. Even so, 36% of military staff are tattooed. Check their tattoo policies, and if you fit the criteria, many of the military branches could be a good option for you.

We’ve also created some guidelines with regard to tattoo policies in the most popular branches of the US Military:

Army
Marine Corps
Air Force
Navy

Independent Business

If you decide to be the CEO of your own business, no one can tell you what to wear or comment on your visible tattoos.

Today, many CEOs no longer wear suits and ties. Instead, they go about their business sporting hoodies, sweatpants and tattoos if they choose to do so.

Independent businesses also aren’t governed by corporate policies, which is where the old school view on tattoos can be rife.

Beauty Industry

In the beauty industry, you’ll not only be accepted for your body art but appreciated for it, too. Being accepted and appreciated for your ink is a great reason to get tattooed (although it’s what you think that matters the most). 

Job options here can be:

• Makeup artist
• Cosmetologist
• Beauty salon work

Customers in these fields appreciate someone who’s artistic and unique. They’ll get the impression that you’re capable of making yourself look nice and, therefore, can make them look nice, too.

You can benefit greatly from such careers with a visible tattoo while doing something you love at the same time.

Media and Artistic Careers

These artistic and creative careers give you an option to express yourself in two ways: your tattoo and your work. There are no limitations when it comes to someone who works independently in creative work. A strong sense of self-expression links powerfully with the more liberal area of media and performing arts.

Popular media and arts jobs include:

• Graphic design
• Photography
• Videography
• Writing
• Home Decoration
• Painting

Another reason you don’t need to worry about your tattoo if you decide to go through one of those careers is that they might not be office based. You can work from home and on your own time.

Personal Training

With the fitness industry, you can show off your tattoos to reflect your health and fitness interests, and it won’t affect your clients. In fact, fitness and tattoos have a strong relationship, especially as people get more confident in their bodies.

As a personal trainer, what mostly matters in your appearance is your shredded physique and muscles. Clients will appreciate your skills and how you can help them reach their goals injury-free rather than the presence of tattoos.

Fashion Design

Designers are good at expressing themselves, which is why they follow fashion designers, no matter what they do. They have a green card to do whatever they want and to go as crazy as they want, and people still praise their choices.

If you’re a fashion designer — or a wannabe — with a visible tattoo, consider it a plus point. It’ll further emphasize the idea that you’re creative, have good taste and have self-confidence. 

Chefs

Sean Brock, the famous American chef, sports his sleeve tattoos freely, and he’s not the only chef to do so.

Chefs are so famous for tattoos, to the extent that Wendy MacNaughton and Isaac Fitzgerald wrote a book about it called Knives and Ink: Chefs and the Stories Behind Their Tattoos.

Even though some hotels used to prohibit chefs with tattoos to join their kitchens or any other positions, you have the opportunity to change this.

Other Jobs That Allow Visible Tattoos

Work From Home Careers

The chances of someone commenting on your appearance is majorly reduced when you work from home. Keep in mind that you may need to have conference calls, which could mean your tattoos on display.

If you’re employed and work from home, you still may need to comply with company policy. If you’re self-employed and work from home, the world is your oyster.

IT

IT guys aren’t usually in customer-facing jobs — it’s more about their brains and computers. Companies wouldn’t give much attention to the appearance of an IT employee since their intelligence and competence are more valuable; however, policies may tend to be blanket across all roles.

Marketing

Companies expect marketing employees to be creative and innovative. Having visible tattoos can reflect those qualities about you.

Entertainment

Those in the entertainment aren’t generally required to look formal, so it’s highly unlikely that a visible tattoo will be an issue. The culture of entertainment jobs will be friendly for anyone who expresses themselves through ways that formal jobs find strange and inappropriate.

Construction

Working in construction requires muscles and stamina, so showing off that tattoo while working will definitely be a plus.

Commercial Drivers

You can work as a commercial driver and sport your tattoo without facing any comments that might become an obstacle due to a low level of interaction with the public.

Wrapping Up

It seems easier to find jobs that accept visible tattoos if they’re independent, freelance, or work-from-home jobs. Other opportunities would be in artistic fields and among those who appreciate creativity.

The world is changing every day, and employers change their attitudes towards tattoos accordingly, although there are still, unfortunately, some jobs that don’t allow tattoos. Good luck with your job hunt!