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A dermal piercing costs $35 to $50 per anchor for the service in the US studio price lists we read, with jewelry extra, or $60 to $118 where jewelry is included. That is a wider gap than for most piercings, because studios quote it in two different ways and because a dermal is priced per anchor.
Prices are as published in September 2026. We have not checked whether these studios meet the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) checklist, so they show how prices are quoted rather than being recommendations.
What each studio charges
| Studio | How it prices | Dermal or surface anchor |
|---|---|---|
| 23rd Street Body Piercing, Oklahoma City | Fee only | $35 |
| Industrial Tattoo and Piercing, Oakland | Fee only | $50 |
| Infinite Body Piercing, Philadelphia | Jewelry included | $60 |
| Golden Child Tattoo & Piercing, Escondido | Jewelry included | $70 |
| Halo Precision Piercing, Phoenix | Jewelry included | $109-118 |
| Amato Piercing, Coral Springs | Jewelry included | $116 |
Oakland lists it as a surface anchor or dermal. Amato’s $116 is a $70 service fee plus $46 for the jewelry, and Philadelphia lists it as a surface anchor.
Per anchor, not per placement
Oakland’s list says prices are per piercing, so two dermals cost twice one. A back dimple is a pair of anchors. A nape or a cheekbone placement is one or more. Ask whether the quote is per anchor before you agree a placement.
What is not on the price lists
- Removal. None of the lists we read gave a price. Ask before you book.
- Changing the top. The lists charged $10 for a jewelry change in Oakland and Philadelphia, and Amato says changes are free.
- A downsize. There is none. Our dermal guide says the top that goes in first stays until the anchor has settled, and your piercer should do the first change.
Jewelry
At the fee-only studios, ask what the anchor and top are made of and what they cost. The APP’s list of accepted materials for initial piercings includes implant-certified titanium (ASTM F-136). See the materials guide.
Comparing like with like
| Fee-only studio | Jewelry-included studio | |
|---|---|---|
| One anchor | $35-50 plus jewelry | $60-118 |
| A pair | $70-100 plus jewelry | $120-236 |
The pair figures are twice one anchor, on the assumption that the studio charges per anchor.
Healing and lasting
Our guides give four to twelve weeks for a dermal to heal. Our dermal guide says dermals are not permanent, and piercing rejection and surface piercings explain what that means.
What to check before you pay
The APP’s advice is not to act impulsively or be seduced by a low price, as you generally get what you pay for. Ask whether the quote is per anchor, whether jewelry is in it, and what removal costs. How to choose a piercer has the full checklist, and piercing prices compares every placement.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a dermal piercing?
In the studio price lists we checked in September 2026, the service was $35 to $50 per anchor with jewelry extra, or $60 to $118 with jewelry included. Oklahoma City listed $35 and Oakland $50 for the service. Philadelphia listed $60, Escondido $70, Phoenix $109 to $118 and Coral Springs $116 with jewelry.
Is the price per anchor?
Oakland's list says prices are per piercing, so two dermals cost twice one. Ask other studios, and remember that placements such as the back dimple use a pair of anchors.
Is jewelry included in the price of a dermal?
It depends on the studio. Phoenix, Coral Springs, Escondido and Philadelphia include it. Oakland and Oklahoma City list service fees only. Ask which you are being quoted before you compare.
Do I pay for changing the top or removing it?
The lists charged $10 for a jewelry change in Oakland and Philadelphia, and Amato says changes are free. None of the lists we read gave a price for removal, so ask before you book.
Does a dermal need a downsize?
No. Our dermal guide says there is nothing to downsize, because the top that goes in first stays until the anchor has settled, and your piercer should do the first change.
Is a cheap dermal a good idea?
Price alone does not tell you. The APP says not to be seduced by a low price. Ask what the anchor and top are made of: the APP's accepted materials for initial piercings include implant-certified titanium (ASTM F-136).
Sources
- 23rd Street Body Piercing (Oklahoma City) - Pricinghttps://23rdstreetbodypiercing.com/pricing/
- Industrial Tattoo and Piercing (Oakland) - Priceshttps://industrialtattooandpiercing.com/prices/
- Halo Precision Piercing & Jewelry (Phoenix) - Pricinghttps://www.halopiercing.com/pricing
- Infinite Body Piercing (Philadelphia) - Prices for piercing serviceshttps://infinitebody.com/pages/prices-for-piercing-services
- Golden Child Tattoo & Piercing (Escondido) - Body piercing price guidehttps://goldenchildtattoo.com/body-piercing-price-guide-what-to-expect-where-to-pierce/
- Amato Piercing (Coral Springs) - Priceshttps://amatopiercing.com/prices/
- Association of Professional Piercers - Picking your piercerhttps://safepiercing.org/picking-your-piercer/
- Association of Professional Piercers - Jewelry for initial piercingshttps://safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/