Profit Potential of a Spray Tan Artist

Dec 15, 2023

Spray tanning isn't just a beauty trend; it's a booming billion dollar industry that offers skilled professionals the opportunity to turn their passion for bronzed perfection into a lucrative career. If you're considering becoming a spray tan artist, you might be curious about the earning potential in the sunless tanning realm. It might surprise you to learn that spray tanning has one of the largest profit margins in the beauty industry. With the flexibility in business models that spray tanning offers, sunless business owners have the option to create a business that has low overhead and expenses, creating even more profits for artists. Let's dive into the factors that contribute to the financial success that spray tan artists can look forward to creating when building their sunless business. 

Client Base and Demand

The key to financial success as a spray tan artist lies in building and growing a loyal client base. The demand for spray tanning services has been on the rise as people seek safer alternatives to traditional tanning methods through UV tanning from the sun or in tanning beds. Establishing a reputation for delivering flawless, natural-looking tans can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals. The more your clientele grows, the more services you’re able to perform each day and each week, allowing you to increase your revenue and profits.

Pricing Strategy

Determining your pricing strategy will also determine the amount of profits that can be earned per appointment. Thinking about factors such as your location, the quality of your service, expertise, and the exclusivity of your studio can influence how much you can charge for a session. The type of clientele you want to attract will also affect the price point you set your services at. More affluent areas that have clients who are looking for a luxury service are typically willing to pay more for a spray tan than clients in smaller rural towns where there isn’t as much of a demand. 

Skill and Expertise

Investing time in perfecting your spray tanning technique and staying updated on industry trends through continued education can set you apart from the competition. Clients are willing to pay a premium price for the assurance of a skilled and knowledgeable spray tan artist. 

Business Model: Mobile vs. Studio

Decide whether you want to operate as a mobile spray tan artist, offering on-location services, or if you prefer a studio setup. Each model comes with its own set of pros and cons, including overhead costs, convenience for clients, and potential for reaching a broader audience. Since a mobile service is typically seen as a more luxurious and premium option, this service can be priced higher than studio tans. As mentioned previously, pricing will be determined by location and demand, but you can expect the average pricing for a studio tan to be around $60. Artists can also choose to do in-studio tans from a home studio, where they might price their services at slightly below a studio tan at about $50 per service. If you choose to be a mobile artist, you can offer luxury pricing at around $75 per tan.

Marketing and Branding

Effectively marketing your spray tanning services is essential to creating the type of brand that aligns with the pricing structure you choose. Utilize social media platforms, create a professional website, and engage with your community to increase visibility. Positive online reviews and before-and-after photos can significantly impact your reputation and attract new clients. The type of brand that you decide to build will be what attracts the type of clientele you hope to service. If you brand your business to be a luxury spot for sunless tanning, you will bring in more clients who are expecting to pay a premium price for their service. 

Adaptability and Innovation

The growth should never stop! The sunless industry has made leaps and bounds from the days when spray tanning first became popular allowing it to continue to evolve and grow. It’s important to stay adaptable to industry changes by continuously enhancing your services, introducing, research and testing new tanning solutions, and learning new techniques that help you stand out amongst the crowd.

While individual earnings can vary, many successful spray tan artists report significant income potential. The combination of a growing demand for sunless tanning, strategic pricing decisions and staying committed to providing a five star sunless experience gives you the opportunity to build a flourishing sunless career as a spray tan artist. To put the amount of profit into perspective, let’s go over a hypothetical scenario so that you can get an overview of the numbers you could be working with once you start your sunless business journey.

SPRAY TAN ARTIST EARNINGS POTENTIAL CHART

Taking into consideration the amount of earnings spray tan business owners typically make averaging at around $68 with the average cost of a single spray tan being around $4-$7, artists can expect to profit around $63 per appointment. When adding in any upsells, retail or tips included, a single spray tan may profit up to $70 on average. Since spray tanning is a relatively quick service, each appointment will last around 15-20 minutes. With an average profit of $70, artists can expect to bring in close to $1,700 a week by just spraying 5 clients a day! This means that with dedication and a passion for the art of bronzing, you have the potential to turn your spray tan studio into a thriving and profitable venture. If you’re ready to get started down the path of turning passion into profit, make sure to schedule a free discovery call today to learn about which Spray Tan Class resources will best fit your business goals! 

Xo,

Kelly