I am looking to pursue a career in Taxidermy, and was curious about how much taxidermists make. I know it varies, and it may be a sore subject but I would appreciate a response. THANK YOU
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I would also like to know, more interested in Ca. taxidermists. Also what does Mike Boyce earn. Oh jason I here Breakthrough Just had an article on this.
The summer issue of Breakthrough taxidermy magazine (issue 60)has an in depth look at taxidermy averages. Their information is from a survey they did of part-time and full-time taxidermists.
Jason, great question. The fact that you are researching this topic
shows me that you are on the right track. I will share my thoughts.
Taxidermy is a great career but a difficult one to survive on unless
you have another sizable income in your household. I am a teacher
and a coach and a part-time taxidermist. I enjoy this combination
because it provides me with my summer months to do something I really
enjoy but I am not solely responsible for this as my income. The
problem I see with many full-time taxidermists is that they have to do
such high volume to make ends meet that sometimes their standards lower.
Keep in mind that this is not the case with everyone and this can
also happen with part-timers. I have been in business for about 6 years
and my business has increased each year and I currently have more
work than I can do. I really think this is because I have tried to
set high standards and I continue to learn and improve by competing.
My feelings are, if you can get an education and a career and begin
slowly, you can always go full-time when you feel you are ready.
Hope this helps, again these are only my views based on my experiences.
Good Luck
I am still not full full time, i have enough to keep busy, and supplement by selling on ebay, but am not a 100 deer a year taxidermist, in fact i raised to 350.00 and only got in 15 heads, before i was getting 25-30 at 255.00. But to make up for that i got in all this other stuff, like bison shoulders, full mt lions, etc. My location has a lot to do with it, I am hard to find! If I was on a busy road, I would be getting at least twice as much overall work, and at least 50-75 deer shoulders after all these years. My gross income was 27,000 with a net of about 10,000. The net would be higher, but i try to spend into the busness to avoid paying Unc Sam
any more. Theres lots of things you can call "busness expense". Considering that i am not a fully full time taxidermist, its safe to say that double what i make is about right for full time. You work your butt off and make 20,000 net, and still owe rediculous taxes!
I agree with Jim & Deerwoman,An Extra source of Income and a Good
Location would be very helpful in a successful carrer in Taxidermy.
I am Not a Full Time Taxidermist yet but I plan on it as soon as I
retire from my job at the Postal Service.
I am located in New York City and I tried Advertising for a couple
of years but,I was spending more in advertising than what I was earning in Taxidermy ,So I stopped advertising and by word of mouth
my clientele has increased now I average an estimated of 2-3 dozen
deerheads per season, Not to mention the small game mounts I also get.
I will advertise again soon.but I like things the way they are now.
I'm keeping myself busy,I also will be training to become a Hunting
Safety instructor soon .This also would also benefit my business.
As for now, I am still learning Taxidermy every day as I meet new
fellow Taxidermist,Conventions seminars and especially the Net Forum.
So Jason,I wish you the very best and If I can assist you in any way
feel free to to E mail me,I'm there to help.
Pete T
I thought I wanted to do this full time and kindof got burned out and really didn't make more take home than an enthusiastic kid at McDonalds. I got to a point where I decided to up my price and only do work for people who wanted a VERY quality mount. I take my time and enjoy what I'm doing as well as do the laundry, take out the trash, look after the kids, and kiss my stock broker wife when she comes home at night (boy, do I appreciate what my mom did for us kids). The problem now is that there are too many people (word of mouth - no advertising) who want me to mount their animals at the prices I'm asking. Maybe I'll charge $80,000 gross for one headmount a year and call it even.
The point is, you don't do this to get rich, much like a teacher doesn't teach to make a million. What price for job enjoyment and personal satisfaction of the creation of a one of a kind work of art?
Oh, yeah, the question. $20,000 net's about right (before 33% selfemployment tax) or about $250 take home a week.