From 1996 to 2007, he studied cello at the Kulyash Baiseitova Republican Secondary Specialized Music Boarding School for Gifted Children. He graduated from the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory in 2007-2011, with a degree in instrument performance.
He initiated his professional career in 2008 as a member of the orchestra of the RSE “Camerata of Kazakhstan”. In the 2015-2016 period, he was employed as a member of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Zhambyl Kazakh State Philharmonic. Subsequently, Tair Karatayev held a number of prominent positions within the field, including orchestra inspector, head of the touring and concert service (2016-2018), deputy director of the Philharmonic, and, from 2018 to 2019, deputy director for management and marketing of the Abai Kazakh State Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Since 2020, he worked as Director of the Zhambyl Kazakh State Philharmonic.
Since 2021, he was Director of the Abai Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Since 2022, he worked as Director of the State Academic Dance Theatre of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Since 2023, he served as Director of the State Academic Concert Organization “Qazaqconcert” named after Rosa Baglanova.
Since 9 June 2025, Tair Karatayev has been employed as Director of the Astana Ballet Theatre.