How Much Do Belly Button Piercings Cost? (Price Guide)

Written By Dan Hunter on May 28, 2019
Last Updated: January 8, 2021

While the price of a belly button piercing can vary greatly, there are some deciding factors that weigh in on how high or low the piercing might actually be.

If you haven’t thought that far ahead, don’t worry. We’ll give you the lowdown on everything you’ll need to know about the cost of a belly button piercing.

Belly Button Piercing Prices

You should expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $70 to have your belly button pierced. If you find a rate cheaper than that, you should be a little wary. You might want to ask around about the piercer’s reputation. They might be extra cheap for a reason.

Just remember before deciding that some deals really are too good to be true. They can often come with hidden costs, like possible complications, that you aren’t counting on.

Go with your gut when it comes to picking your belly button piercer. If you have a bad feeling about the piercer, find another one. There’s no shortage of piercers who offer that service.

Belly Button Piercing Costs: Factors to Consider

Ever wonder why one piercer will charge a fraction of what another piercer will charge for the same procedure? Let us clear up that mystery for you. Here are some of the biggest reasons for the large difference in prices you’ll see from piercer to piercer.

Skill Level of the Piercer

If you were going to have brain surgery, you would find a huge difference in the skill level when comparing a surgeon at your local hospital to a surgeon at a world-class hospital. People flock to first-rate hospitals because of the experience of the surgeons and doctors there. That level of demand allows surgeons to charge more for their work.

The same is true with piercers. If you could choose to have your work done by someone who has done five belly button piercings or a piercer who has done thousands of the same procedure, which one would you choose? The answer is clear. You would go with experience every time.

That experience lets a piercer charge more. They know what they’re doing and they’re worth the extra money.

Piercing Method

The method your piercer uses can also factor into the price. Piercers who use hollow needles instead of piercing guns can charge more because their method requires higher levels of training and experience. This method also usually results in a more successful piercing outcome.

Piercing guns aren’t as sanitary and they cause more tissue damage. You may end up with more scarring and pain if you go with a piercing gun. Paying a few extra dollars to avoid complications and pain is considered a good deal by most people.

The Cool Factor

Another thing that can influence the cost of a piercing is the cool factor. Some places have that “it” factor. They’re the place everybody wants to go to have their work done. That kind of popularity comes with a steep price tag.

You’ll have to figure out if it’s worth paying more money just to tell your friends you had your piercing done at the trendiest place in town. If they’re true artists who are known for their great work, it’s worth it.

But if you’re just paying for the cool factor and nothing more, you might want to reconsider. What’s cool this year may be uncool next year, and overpaying for something is always uncool to some people.

It’s All About Location

As they say in the real estate world, location is everything. That holds true in the business industry as well. Piercers in big cities can charge more compared to small or rural towns. Everything costs more in the city and piercing is no different.

Just because piercings are cheaper in a smaller city, it doesn’t mean you should drive out of your big metropolis to the nearest small town just to save money. You’ll spend a lot of money on gas and you’ll lose some of your free time as well.

The upside to using piercers who have set up shop in big cities is that they are generally more experienced. They have a larger customer base than smaller towns do. That means they’ve likely done more belly button piercings.

Jewelry Type

If you have expensive jewelry tastes, you’re going to pay more when you have your piercing done. Some metals are pricier than others.

Somebody who doesn’t mind wearing stainless steel jewelry will pay less than someone who wants gold.

Any bling that you want on your belly button piercing can add to the final cost too.

Add-Ons

Some people aren’t happy unless they leave with a bagful of stuff to go along with their new piercing. They’re obviously going to pay more if they end up buying additional jewelry and cleaning products.

The best aftercare product I’ve personally used is the After Inked Piercing Aftercare Spray. Not only is it vegan, but it’s also completely alcohol and additive-free. The solution works well on all skin types including sensitive skin, and it comes in a generously-sized mist-spraying bottle for easy application. When using it from the very start of the healing process, the spray helps to decrease healing times and aims to eliminate any lingering pain or soreness.

A quick video guide to cleaning a new piercing:

If you’re worried about paying too much upfront, just start with one piece of jewelry for your belly button piercing. It will be weeks and possibly months before you can change it anyway.

You can always buy more jewelry closer to the time you are able to swap it out. That way, you can break up the expense a little.

To keep your add-on costs down, you should have a firm idea as to which products you want before you get your belly button pierced. Try not to be talked into things you don’t need. If you let your piercer know you’re on a tight budget, they might cut down a bit on the sales pitch.

Why the Cheapest Prices Aren’t Always the Best Option

Nobody likes overpaying for a service. While saving money is fun, in some situations it might be better to part with some extra cold, hard cash.

By paying more for an experienced piercer, you can protect yourself from some of the complications of having your belly button pierced.

If the extra money you spend on an experienced professional, prevents you from getting an infected belly button piercing, it’s worth it.

You won’t be paying money for a doctor’s appointment and antibiotics.

Plus, with a more experienced and expensive piercer, you’ll be sure you’re getting top-notch quality. You don’t want to look forward to getting a belly button piercing only to find out you don’t like the placement of your jewelry. You won’t save anything if you have to pay someone to redo what the first piercer screwed up.

Another thing you should look out for with an inexpensive piercer is that they sometimes have cheap jewelry instead of quality stuff. The good jewelry will last longer and hold up better.

It won’t be a bargain when you have to buy new jewelry because the cheap stuff gives you an allergic reaction.

Common Discounts/Deals

If you want to save money safely, without compromising on the quality of the piercer you use, you can ask about possible discounts they may have. They might offer discounts that aren’t advertised but are given if people ask. Here are some of the discounts you might stumble upon.

Buy One, Get One Free

If you have a friend who also wants to get their belly buttons pierced, you could find a buy one, get one free deal. It’s always worth asking if your piercer offers this discount. The worst they can do is say no.

Re-doing Old Piercing Discounts

Some piercers don’t mind giving discounts for redoing old piercings. If the piercing is old, so is the jewelry they originally purchased, if they even still have it. Along with the new piercing, they’ll also make new jewelry sales so it’s worth their time to do it.

Multiple Piercing Discounts

Are you a fan of piercings? Do you want to get more done than just your belly button? If so, you should be able to score a good discount.

Most piercers offer multiple piercing discounts. These package deals help you get a lot done without draining your bank account.

Student Discounts

College kids are notoriously broke – they are paying for their education, after all. They don’t have a lot of leftover money to spare. But they love getting their belly buttons pierced.

Many piercers offer a student discount to get their business.

Summary

Even at a reputable piercer’s shop, you’ll still find that belly button piercing isn’t too expensive. As it’s so important to get it right the first time, consider going with the best piercer, not the cheapest one you can find.

In the long run, you might be saving yourself from going through extra pain. At the very least, you’ll feel more confident that you’re getting a safe and sanitary belly button piercing. That extra money is definitely worth the peace of mind you’ll get.