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A septum piercing costs $40 to $90 in a US studio, with jewelry, where it is priced separately, at $30 to $150 depending on whether you start with a plain titanium circular barbell or a decorative clicker. Most people leave having spent between $70 and $240, plus a tip.
Location moves the price. Expect the top of the range in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and the lower end in smaller markets. These are typical US studio ranges as of September 2026, so confirm with your studio before you book.
What the piercing fee pays for
The fee covers more than a needle, and for a septum most of it is judgement:
- Finding the sweet spot. A septum passes through a thin strip of soft tissue below the cartilage wall. A piercer feels for it before agreeing, and should decline if it is not there.
- A single-use sterile needle, opened in front of you, and tools sterilised in an autoclave.
- Marking and checking the placement in a mirror.
- Choosing the jewelry size, since the diameter depends on your anatomy.
- Aftercare guidance, and at many studios the first downsize.
A septum costs a little more than a nostril ($30 to $70), largely because of the skill involved. A piercer who does it often is worth the difference.
How it compares with other nose piercings
| Piercing | Piercing fee |
|---|---|
| Nostril | $30-70 |
| Septum | $40-90 |
| Bridge | $40-90 |
| High nostril | $40-90 |
| Nasallang | $70-150 |
How much is a nose piercing covers every nose placement.
Jewelry prices
Start with a circular barbell in implant-grade titanium, or a retainer if you need it hidden. Clickers and rings come once the piercing has healed.
| Jewelry | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Plain implant-grade titanium circular barbell | From about $30 |
| Decorative titanium clicker | Up to $150 or more |
| Solid 14k gold, plain | $80-200 |
| Solid 14k gold with stones | $150-500+ |
Retainers are inexpensive and worth buying alongside the first barbell. Sizing, gauge and diameter are covered in septum piercing jewelry.
Material is the one place not to save money. Plated and unlabelled metal causes most of the irritation people blame on the piercing, and clickers are where it is most common. The materials guide explains what to look for.
The real total for the first year
| Plain titanium only | Plus a decorative clicker | Plus a solid gold ring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piercing fee | $40-90 | $40-90 | $40-90 |
| Starter jewelry | $30-60 | $30-60 | $30-60 |
| Tip, 15-20% of the fee | $6-18 | $6-18 | $6-18 |
| Downsize | $0-30 | $0-30 | $0-30 |
| Sterile saline spray | $10-20 | $10-20 | $10-20 |
| Jewelry for once it has healed | none | $50-150 | $80-200 |
| Total | $86-218 | $136-368 | $166-418 |
A septum heals in two to three months, which is why the healed-piercing jewelry comes early in the year. How long a septum piercing takes to heal explains when it is safe to switch.
Why some septum piercings are cheap
A septum has to be pierced with a needle, and a piercer has to find the sweet spot. A very cheap septum usually means one of those things is missing. The Association of Professional Piercers advises against piercing guns for any piercing, and nothing about a nose is suited to one.
A septum pierced through the wrong tissue hurts more, heals badly and can sit crooked. Fixing it means paying a second time. The septum piercing guide explains what a correct placement feels like.
What to look for
- Needles opened in front of you.
- A piercer who feels for the sweet spot and is willing to say no if it is not there.
- Implant-grade jewelry, with the metal stated by standard.
- A retainer available if you need to hide it.
- A portfolio of healed septums, not just fresh ones.
- A clear downsize policy.
If a studio does all of that and costs $20 more, pay the $20. The Association of Professional Piercers has a checklist for picking your piercer.
Tipping
In the US, tipping your piercer 15 to 20 percent of the piercing fee is standard. It is not customary in many other countries, so check local practice. For every other placement, see piercing prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a septum piercing?
In a US studio, $40 to $90 for the piercing itself, plus $30 to $150 for jewelry, depending on whether you start with a plain titanium circular barbell or a decorative clicker. Most people spend between $70 and $240 before a tip.
Why does a septum piercing cost more than a nostril?
Largely because it takes more skill. A septum is pierced through a thin strip of soft tissue, the sweet spot, and finding it is the whole job. A piercer who does it well charges for that. A nostril is $30 to $70 for comparison.
Is jewelry included in the price of a septum piercing?
It depends on the studio. Some quote a service fee and sell jewelry separately, so you can choose the material and style, and others quote one price with starter jewelry included. Ask which you are being quoted.
How much does septum jewelry cost?
Roughly $30 upward for a plain implant-grade titanium circular barbell, and up to $150 or more for a decorative clicker. Solid gold costs more. Retainers, which hide the piercing, are cheap and worth buying alongside.
Do I need to pay for a downsize?
Sometimes. A septum barbell is downsized at four to six weeks, and many studios include the first one free. Otherwise expect $10 to $30 plus the price of the shorter bar.
How much should I tip for a septum piercing?
In the US, 15 to 20 percent of the piercing fee is standard, the same as for any appointment-based service. Tipping is not customary in many other countries.
Sources
- Association of Professional Piercers - Picking your piercerhttps://safepiercing.org/picking-your-piercer/
- Association of Professional Piercers - Why piercing guns are a problemhttps://safepiercing.org/piercing-guns/
- Association of Professional Piercers - Jewelry for initial piercingshttps://safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/