Getting your ears pierced can feel like a rite of passage no matter what age you do it. That’s why making the experience feel extra special can be a treat. When deciding where to get ears pierced for your kids, you’ll want to find a place that’s safe, clean, and ideally not too expensive. There’s no set standard for how much it costs to get your ears pierced, as most places charge a fee based on the earrings you pick. We did some digging and found that the fee can vary from less than $10 to over $100, depending on where you go.
You’ll always want to prioritize safety and cleanliness over a great deal (this is our bodies we’re talking about). But saving money on a quality ear piercing doesn’t hurt. Fortunately, plenty of places offer inexpensive ear-piercing studs and an overall positive experience. We’ve narrowed the list down for you right here, organized from least expensive to most.
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1. Claire’s has free ear piercing when you buy their $28.99 kit.
Claire’s is one of the most well-known places to get your ears pierced, especially for tweens and young adults. Most know the accessory shop for their selection of affordable jewelry, so it makes sense that their ear piercing has a reasonable price, too. At Claire’s, you can get your ears pierced for free with the purchase of an Ear Piercing Kit (regularly $28.99+). In other words, you have to buy an Ear Piercing Kit in order to get the free ear piercing.
Claire’s has a large selection of Ear Piercing Kits to choose from, ranging in price from $28.99 (for Stainless Steel Ball Studs) to $299.99 (for 14k White Gold Laboratory Grown Diamond Studs). Each kit comes with the set of earrings they’ll pierce you with, plus Ear Care Solution that’ll help you maintain them.
So while you could pay upwards of $300 at Claire’s for an ear piercing, you could also walk away spending only about $30. Their low prices make Claire’s one of the most affordable options out there for where to get ears pierced. They make the process pretty easy, too, with online booking at some stores.
TIP: Earrings made of stainless steel or yellow gold will cost less than something more high-end, like white gold with diamonds.
2. Piercing Pagoda gives you free ear piercings with an earring purchase ($33 and up).
Another mall favorite for ear piercings is Piercing Pagoda. Often set up as a booth in the middle of the mall, their kiosks make a quick and easy stop. They also do ear piercing for children and infants and can sometimes pierce both ears simultaneously to minimize discomfort.
Like Claire’s, Piercing Pagoda offers free ear piercings with the purchase of a pair of earrings, but they don’t include a cleaning kit. The earrings at Piercing Pagoda can range in price from $33 (for Solid Titanium Ball Studs) to $253 (for 1/15 ct White Gold Diamond Solitaire Studs), which is just about the same as Claire’s earring prices.
3. Sweet and Sassy also does free piercings with an earring purchase ($35 and up).
Like Claire’s, Sweet and Sassy is a cute spot for teens and tweens looking for inexpensive jewelry. According to their Facebook page, Sweet and Sassy offers free ear piercings with the purchase of a pair of earrings, which start at around $35. This is about the same price as Claire’s, but Claire’s offers some cheaper options.
The ear piercing experience at Sweet and Sassy is also made for younger kids who might feel nervous. They encourage kids to hold or hug a stuffed animal during the procedure. Afterward, each child gets a souvenir ear piercing certificate with a photo and a lollipop. They pierce both ears at once using sterile 14K gold and hypoallergenic earrings.
Tip: Look for ear piercing events at your local Sweet and Sassy franchise by signing up for their email list or following them on Facebook, where they often post in-store events. My local chain has had Elsa pierce ears and regularly offers a $5 off ear piercing coupon.
4. Your local tattoo parlor may be a safer option, and prices usually start around $20.
Many people say that a tattoo parlor is the safest, most hygienic place to get your ears pierced. That makes sense, considering their entire business is dealing with needles and safety precautions. It might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of where to get ears pierced, especially for kids. But tattoo parlors are one of the best choices if you’re concerned with sterilization and sanitization.
For a standard ear piercing, prices can range from $20 to $50, and some places will charge per ear instead of for both ears. That said, prices will vary depending on your location. Research some safe tattoo shops in your area and give them a call to see what they charge.
5. Ulta charges $55 for ear piercing, but it includes a cleaning kit plus earrings.
Ulta is another convenient spot for appointment-only ear piercings that take place in store. The minimum age for piercing is 3 months old, so kids and even infants can get their ears pierced. Unlike other stores, Ulta charges a flat fee ($55) for their ear piercing service. This price includes the piercing, earrings of your choice, and aftercare solution.
They generally offer 24k gold earrings or stainless steel earrings, with a full selection available at most stores. Their price is higher than getting simple stainless steel earrings at a place like Claire’s, Sweet and Sassy, or Piercing Pagoda. However, it does come with the aftercare solution, which is only offered at Claire’s. Ulta also uses state-licensed cosmetologists and estheticians who are brand-certified by an ear-piercing service.
Related: We can teach you all the tricks to saving money at Ulta.
6. Rowan specializes in ear piercing, but their prices are higher (at least $70 for the whole shebang).
Rowan is basically a boutique just for ear piercings. They promise a safe and sanitary experience in cute, brightly colored shops. They only use licensed nurses as their piercers, and they always recommend you buy a special aftercare solution (not included in the price).
However, Rowan has some downsides. For one, it’s expensive. With needle piercings, they charge $35 just for the procedure, and piercing studs cost extra. For device piercings (using something like a gun), an individual hole costs $35, and two holes cost $50. Plus you’ll pay the cost of the piercing studs, which start at $20. This means that for two holes, you’re going to pay a minimum of $70.
Another downside? There aren’t a ton of Rowan locations across the U.S.
7. For infant ear piercing, ask if your pediatrician offers it.
Planning on piercing your infant’s ears? You might want to go to their pediatrician for a safe and sterile experience. But beware: not all pediatricians offer ear piercing. You can call your pediatrician’s office and ask if they do it. If your pediatrician doesn’t offer it, you’ll likely not be able to shop around, as some offices won’t pierce ears for kids who aren’t already patients.
If your pediatrician does offer ear piercing, the cost can be steep — about $100 or more. Medical insurance doesn’t cover ear piercing, so you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
While the doctor’s office route comes with a higher fee, if it makes you feel more at ease, it could be worth it.
8. Five Below offers ear piercing in select stores.
Yep, you can buy your Five Below Squishmallows and get your ears pierced in the same place. In 2022, Five Below unveiled an ear piercing pilot program, bringing the service to 150 stores (with more planned). The cost is $5.55 per ear to pierce, so if you want both ears done it will ring up at $11.10. Plus, there’s an additional $3 charge (or more) for jewelry.
On their website, Five Below highlights that they use medical grade surgical steel, and the process is 100% sterilized and hypoallergenic.
Again, since this service is only offered in 150 Five Below locations (out of more than 1200) so far, check with your nearest store to find out if they offer piercing.
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