Speaking as a resident of the SF/Bay Area, this area is a bit full as far as local tattoists go, especially with the rents being as high as they are.
If you like to draw a lot and feel the disease-exposure risk is worth it, you might like a career as a tattooist. Get vacinnated against hepatitis A & B as that is what you will be most at risk for health-wise.
Think about whether you want to work out of a shop owned by someone else, or if you want to hang out your own shingle. Do you want to travel or tattoo abroad? I have known of several tattooists who travel and work guest stints in other artists' shops. If you like different environments, that may appeal to you.
Mostly think about where you would have a steady stream of paying customers to pay the bills. That's why tattooists used to set up near military bases and in ports. You'll often find tattoo shops and piercing studios near big college campuses these days.
- Rae