The tongue piercing price can be genuinely hard to pin down, and there is a good reason for that. Cost is often one of the first questions people ask before booking a new tongue piercing, and while it is rarely the only deciding factor, it can definitely tip the scale.
Of course, it is normal to want to make sure you are not overpaying. The tongue piercing is slowly coming back into style, so this price guide walks through the different types of tongue piercings and what you can realistically expect to pay in the United States.
Table of Contents
The factors that affect a tongue piercing price
There is no single set price for a tongue piercing. Depending on the studio you visit, the cost can be a little higher or lower. In fact, there can even be several prices within one studio. Here are the main things that can influence what you pay.
The experience of your piercer
As with most things in life, you pay for quality. A piercer who has been doing tongue piercings for years can charge more for that experience than a brand new piercer. Seasoned professionals tend to work faster, place the jewelry more precisely, and cause less discomfort along the way.
The popularity of the studio
Studios with skilled piercers are more likely to be busy with repeat clients and word of mouth referrals. It is worth remembering that piercing studios have to balance client demand with the number of piercings they can reasonably do in a day, which is why very popular studios often charge more for their services.
The location of the studio
Some regions simply have a stronger demand for piercings than others, and a lot of that comes down to population. A studio in a big city will have more clients, and therefore higher prices, than a studio in a small suburb. On the upside, the city studio probably also does far more piercings, so its artists tend to be very experienced.
The jewelry
There are all sorts of pieces you can wear for your tongue piercing. You will most likely start with gold, titanium, or surgical steel, and there are different styles to choose from, such as rings or barbells. A fun option once you are healed is a piece like our flower tongue ring or a sparkling tongue piercing set.
Extra purchases
You may also leave your piercer's studio with a few extra items. If you will not be back for a while, you might want to pick up some spare jewelry. Most studios also offer various aftercare products to help you keep your tongue piercing clean and prevent infections or other complications.
Why the cheapest option is not always the best
As you can see from the factors above, price is often tied to quality. Paying to get your tongue pierced at a reputable studio gives you a better chance of getting the result you want while avoiding an infection.
Professional piercing studios maintain strict hygiene practices and use sterilized equipment. An inexperienced piercer could get the placement wrong or cause more pain than necessary, so do not pay a neighbor to do it for a few dollars.
Getting pierced anywhere other than a well kept piercing studio means the person may not follow the proper hygiene and cleaning practices needed to prevent an infection from developing.
Cheap jewelry is a problem too. Lower quality metals are far more likely to trigger an allergic reaction, and with a fresh piercing that reaction can lead to serious irritation and eventually an infection.
What is the average tongue piercing price?
Tongue piercings usually cost between $40 and $100, with the lower end being a basic tongue piercing with simple jewelry. The higher end applies if you go for a double tongue piercing or if you choose more expensive jewelry.
Pay attention to how the studio calculates its prices. Some charge a flat fee for the piercing and the starter jewelry, while others price the jewelry separately.
Always ask up front whether the quoted price includes the jewelry. A surprisingly low number sometimes means the barbell is billed on top, so confirm the full total before you sit down.
Are there discounts or deals for tongue piercings?
You may also be able to get some kind of discount at the piercing studio. It never hurts to call and ask about lower prices for a spot that is already pierced, or about student discounts. One of the most common deals you will find is a lower rate for getting several piercings at once, which is often the case with double tongue piercings, where you usually do not pay double the price.
Conclusion
Tongue piercing prices are quite reasonable considering you get a way to personalize your look for years to come. Do not forget to research your studio and ask people you know for recommendations rather than simply going for the cheapest option.
Tongue piercing prices can run high or low, but remember that quality is worth paying for and a good piece can last a very long time.
