In This Article
Building a full-time income from tinting windows is achievable with consistent effort. Here's a realistic timeline based on what we've seen from TSO graduates — though individual results vary.
Months 1-2: The Learning Phase ($0 - $500)
This is your training and practice period. You're going through the course material, practicing on your own vehicles and friends' cars, and building foundational skills. Some students land their first paid job in this phase, but the focus should be on competence, not revenue.
Months 3-4: First Revenue ($500 - $3,000/month)
You're taking your first paid jobs, building a portfolio, and collecting reviews. Most students are doing 2-4 cars per week at this stage, charging $200-$350 per car. Word of mouth starts working — every happy customer tells 2-3 friends.
Months 5-8: Momentum ($1,500 - $4,000/month)
This is where it gets exciting. You've got a steady stream of bookings, your Google reviews are climbing, and you're starting to raise your prices. You're more efficient now — what took 3 hours takes 90 minutes. More speed means more cars per day means more revenue.
At the $3,000/month mark, many students seriously consider going full-time. At this pace, the business is clearly viable.
Months 9-12: Full-Time ($4,000 - $8,000/month)
If you've gone full-time, this is when things accelerate. More availability means more jobs. You're doing 2-3 cars per day, your prices have increased as your skills improve, and repeat customers and referrals are now your primary lead source.
Month 12+: Growth Phase ($6,000 - $10,000+/month)
With consistent effort, $6K-$8K/month is achievable for dedicated full-time tinters. The ones who scale further — hiring help, adding services, expanding territory — can grow beyond that.
Key milestones: $1K/month (proof of concept) → $3K/month (viable part-time income) → $6K/month (solid full-time income) → $8K+/month (growth phase). Timelines vary based on effort, location, and market.
What Accelerates the Timeline
- Going full-time earlier rather than later
- Investing in proper training from day one (avoid the self-taught learning curve)
- Being aggressive with social media marketing and Google reviews
- Offering premium services and raising prices as skills improve
- Building referral relationships with dealers, detailers, and body shops
Ready to Start Your Tinting Career?
Join 3,000+ graduates who turned window tinting into a full-time income.
