How Much Do Piercings Cost and Why [Guide]: 3 Price Factors

Want to know how much you’ll pay before you commit to a piercing? Look no further! This guide answers many common pricing questions.

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Most piercings average between $50-80 USD. This covers both the piercing procedure and basic jewelry.

The cost of the piercing largely depends on what sort of piercing you want. Complex or inaccessible piercings are usually more expensive.

As a general assumption, body piercings are more expensive than ear piercings. However, the safe and professional experience you get at a shop is worth it. While DIY piercing may be tempting, the lack of necessary materials and experience can lead to infections, piercing bumps or other complications.

Piercings Costs Around the Globe

Different countries have different price ranges for piercings. Here’s a look at a few common areas.

	US	Canada	Great Britain	Europe	Australia
Ear lobe	$15 – $40	$35 – $120	£8 – £50	€10 – €55	$12 – $100
Facial piercings	$15 – $90	$40 – $190	£10 – £80	€12 – €100	$10 – $130
Oral piercings	$25 – $130	$35 – $120	£15 – £90	€18 – €95	$20 – $110
Body piercings	$20 – $180	$40 – $200	£18 – £140	€20 – €150	$30 – $150

Undecided on a piercing? If pain is a concern, check out this list of most and least painful piercings.

The Three Factors of Piercing Cost

Three different factors will dictate how much a piercing costs:

Jewelry & material costs
Procedure fee
Location

While some shops charge more, it may be because they are in a prime location or have a very experienced piercer. It’s up to you to determine what you’re comfortable paying for a piercing. Other factors may also shape your decision.

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Other Considerations

Shop Reputation

Shop reputation can play an important role in getting pierced. If you haven’t heard much about a shop, consider looking up some reviews before seeing for yourself. Ask your pierced friends if they have any recommendations based on their experience.

Different shops may focus on different piercings, so take this into account as well when you’re trying to find the right place.

An experienced and reputable piercer will know the price of their skills and materials. This experience adds value to the shop’s overall reputation, and the prices may be higher to reflect this relative knowledge.

While saving money is always a perk, piercings aren’t something to leave to chance. Going to a cheaper shop may mean less experience, and not as much confidence when completing your piercing procedure. It’s worth the few extra bucks to make sure you don’t have issues with your piercing down the road.

Piercer Reputation

Most piercers are trained on simple piercing procedures many times before they pierce unsupervised. Earlobe and oral piercings are considered basic, so you may not need to seek out a certified expert.

However, complex piercings like venom or daith piercings require far more experience. Make sure to track down a seasoned piercer to ensure you have a great experience.

Location

The location of the piercing shop can also add to the price of your piercing.

Higher prices are common in well-traveled areas. The prices will be higher to reflect rent prices and more foot traffic in the area. Seeking out shops that are out of the way may be more cost-effective as long as the piercer is reputable.

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Jewelry

In most cases, basic jewelry is included in piercing cost. Jewelry upgrades will most likely cost more.

Basic jewelry is usually included in the cost of your piercing. However, you may choose to upgrade to a higher quality material.

Your initial jewelry is very important since it impacts the healing process. If you have concerns about reactions, be sure to choose surgical grade steel or titanium. These options will ensure less likelihood of allergies, infections and bumps during healing.

Any jewelry upgrades will be an add-on to the total piercing price.

FAQ

Is jewelry cost included in the total piercing price?

Yes, usually basic jewelry is included in the total cost. You may have a few options, or you can choose to upgrade to a different option.

What is included in the procedure cost?

The cost of materials, piercer fee and jewelry cost.

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Should I tip my piercer?

Absolutely! Any piercer will appreciate a tip if you had a great experience. Leaving reviews on their shop Yelp is also an excellent idea.

Will cheap piercings cost me later on?

Cheap piercings run the risk of being poorly done, and this can cause complications. Avoid this by finding a reputable and experienced piercing shop. You don’t want to have to spend extra time or money on an error that you could’ve avoided.

Are single piercings cheaper than multiples?

Yes, since the price includes jewelry. You will pay for multiple pieces of jewelry if you get multiple piercings, so the procedure will undoubtedly be more expensive.

Why is there a gap in price for jewelry?

Jewelry price usually depends on the material. Quality or design-centric pieces will be more expensive than basic pieces. It’s better to scale up and go with a material like titanium that will cause minimal complications.

How do I choose a piercing shop?

Asking your pierced friends or looking up shop reviews are the best ways to find a solid piercing shop.

You can also visit a specific piercing shop to ask questions. Most reputable piercers will be happy to answer any questions you may have since they want to provide a good experience.

Any piercer certified by the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) is the safest bet. This handy locator tool will find APP certified piercers in any corner of the world.

How do I find a reputable piercer near me?

The APP locator above ensures you’ll find an extremely reputable piercer. You can also use apps like Yelp or Google Maps to see what shops are around your area.

Should I get pierced at Piercing Pagoda, Walmart or Claire’s?

Getting a piercing anywhere aside from a piercing shop is not recommended. There is no guarantee the environment or instruments are clean, and using a piercing gun can cause unnecessary scar tissue around your piercing. Finding an experienced piercer will always be worth your time and money.

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Christina Andrusenko

My name is Christina. I’m passioned about piercing. I have 2 piercings for 17 years: Earlobe and Madonna. I used to have 3rd one before – nose piercing.

It pisses me off when I can’t find proven information about piercing type I interested in. That is why Piercee was created.