How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?

The average cost of breast augmentation is $7,538, according to 2,484 patient reviews on RealSelf. Reported prices range from just $3,900 to $12,500, though some in-demand providers in major cities charge even more.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) puts the average cost of breast augmentation at $4,294. They also note that their estimate reflects only the surgeon’s fee: “it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses,” which can add thousands to your total price tag.

Read on to find out: 

• everything the total cost of breast augmentation surgery includes 
• which factors have the biggest impact on the price you’ll pay
• whether patients say the results were worth the expense
• how costs differ by U.S. state 

You can also learn more about how a procedure works, side effects, and recovery in our complete guide to breast augmentation.

What the total cost of breast augmentation includes

During your consultation with a plastic surgeon, they will ask about your goals, perform an exam and recommend a personalized treatment plan for augmentation with implants, fat transfer, and/or a breast lift. 

They should send you home with a written price estimate that includes:

• the consultation fee (typically applied toward the cost of surgery)
• the surgeon fee
• the price of your chosen type of breast implants (silicone implants typically cost more than saline implants)
• facility fees for the outpatient surgery center or operating room
• anesthesia fees
• post-op care
• follow-up visits

Also find out if you’ll need to budget for any additional expenses. They may include:

• pre-op medical tests, such as a mammogram or bloodwork
• prescription pain medications
• a support bra

Finally, ask how your surgeon handles the cost of revision surgery, just in case you don’t like your results or have a complication. Some surgeons waive their fee for revisions of the surgeries they've performed—but usually, that only applies to correcting breast implant complications like capsular contracture (a hard capsule of scar tissue), implant rupture, rippling, or wrinkling—not fine-tuning the aesthetic results.

Even if the surgical fee is waived, you may still have to cover expenses for the facility, anesthesia, and surgical supplies, though some breast implant warranties offer several thousand dollars in assistance to help correct certain types of complications. 

Related: Essential Questions to Ask at Your Breast Augmentation Consultation

Why breast augmentation prices vary

The price you pay for breast augmentation will depend largely on these 5 factors.

1. Your surgeon’s credentials and level of expertise

Cosmetic breast surgery is best performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. It’s entirely possible to get cheap breast augmentation, especially from a general surgeon (many of whom market themselves as “cosmetic surgeons”).

But like so many things in life, you usually get what you pay for with plastic surgery. Paying more for a qualified surgeon, who will take their time to give you the best possible result, may help you avoid costly revision surgery.

As you’re narrowing down your choices:

• Look for someone with years of experience (ideally a decade or more) in performing breast enhancement procedures. 
• Read their patient reviews—the best, worst, and everything in between—and look for the qualities that matter most to you.
• Scrutinize their own photo gallery and photos posted by their patients, so you don’t just see their highlight reel.
• Check their RealSelf profile or Certification Matters to ensure they have been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). 

Related: How to Choose the Best Plastic Surgeon for Your procedure

2. The details of your treatment plan

Some of the biggest variables in the price you’ll pay relate to the specific type of breast augmentation you have.

It’s not unusual for qualified surgeons to recommend different treatment plans, with very different price quotes. So it may be well worth it for you to have consultations with more than one, so you can compare.

Don’t be afraid to ask how their plan will impact your price and discuss trade-offs between your budget and desired results.

For example: 

• Fat transfer breast augmentation (aka natural breast augmentation) costs $9,250, on average
• Breast implants cost $6,400, on average
• A breast lift with augmentation costs $8,900

Breast implant prices also vary by type.

• Saline breast implants (filled with salt water) usually cost about $1,000 less than silicone breast implants
• "Gummy bear” silicone gel implants are the most expensive option
• A high profile implant (narrower, with more projection) can also cost more than other shapes

Your surgeon might charge a “keller funnel fee” for placing your implants. This technique leaves a smaller scar and is believed to reduce the risk of capsular contracture, but it may cost more. Since many plastic surgeons consider breast implant placement via the keller funnel to be the standard of care, this fee will likely be non-negotiable.

It’s also common for breast augmentation patients to have other cosmetic procedures during the same operation. Popular add-ons include:

• Areola or nipple surgery could also inflate your total bill
• Liposuction
• A tummy tuck
• A Brazilian butt lift

A combination of two or more of these procedures is commonly called a mommy makeover, which has an average price tag of $13,100.

Having more than one procedure in a single operation dramatically increases your total price, but it’s more cost-effective than having each one separately: you’ll only have to pay the anesthesia fee and facility fee once, and most providers discount their fee for each additional procedure.

3. Where your surgery is performed 

The cost of living, patient demand, and number of qualified surgeons performing breast augmentations in your surgeon’s geographical location all have an impact on their fee.

For example:

• Boston, Massachusetts plastic surgeon Dr. Samuel Lin says that his surgeon’s fee alone for breast augmentation ranges from $5,000 to $12,000.
• In Chicago, Dr. Anh-Tuan Truong says that breast augmentation costs in this metro area range from $6,995 to $8,995, "depending on your surgeon’s experience, the physical location of your surgery, facility fee, anesthesia, and the type of implant your surgeon recommends."
• Livingston, New Jersey plastic surgeon Dr. John Paul Tutela says that prices near him range anywhere from $4,000 to $30,000 for a breast augmentation. "The cost is on the lower end in more rural areas," he explains. "The price will be on the higher end in more urban areas, and in patients who require a breast lift and or a revision from prior surgery."
• In Gilbert, Arizona, breast enhancement with plastic surgeon Dr. Josh Olson ranges from $6,500 to $7,500 on average.

Another factor is the type of surgical facility where the procedure is performed. Many surgeons operate out of a private surgery center at their practice, with a lower facility fee than a hospital. 

If you go this route, just make sure the facility is accredited and that your doctor has hospital admitting privileges nearby, in case of an emergency.

4. Your anesthesia provider’s credentials

Most surgeons perform breast augmentations under general anesthesia, which offers more comfort, safety, and surgical accuracy.

It’s also possible to have the surgery under local anesthesia with IV sedation. 

Both of these options should be administered by a qualified professional, who will monitor your vitals throughout the procedure.

A nurse anesthetist (CRNA) will charge a lower fee than an anesthesiologist (an MD). While both are qualified, some patients and surgeons prefer the additional training and expertise of a medical doctor.

5. The time of year that you have your surgery

It’s more common to find specials on breast augmentation during the summer, when fewer people are looking to undergo this type of procedure.

If your timing is flexible, ask your surgeon if you’d save by booking at a less popular time.

Before you spring for a deal on any type of cosmetic surgery, just be sure to thoroughly research the provider. Again, make sure they’re a board-certified plastic surgeon with a solid track record of patient reviews and a photo gallery that reflects your desired results.

Is breast augmentation worth the money?

Breast augmentation has a 95% Worth It Rating on RealSelf: a solid majority of the thousands of people who’ve reviewed their experience and results think they were worth the price they paid.

Those who are happy with their investment often note natural-looking results and more self-confidence. 

Among those who say it wasn’t worth it, some patients say their implants are sagging or asymmetrical. Others attribute new health problems to breast implant illness.

It's important to discuss your breast enhancement options with an experienced plastic surgeon, who can talk you through all of the potential risks and side effects of breast implants. You may also want to consider fat transfer, if your surgeon determines that you’re a good candidate.

Does insurance cover breast augmentation?

Elective cosmetic procedures like this one are not covered by health insurance.

However, if you've had a mastectomy or lumpectomy for breast cancer treatment or prevention, and it was covered by your healthcare plan, your breast reconstruction method of choice should also be covered (by U.S. law).

Can you finance a breast augmentation procedure?

Yes, most plastic surgery practices offer payment plans or accept financing options. For example, the CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S.

Breast augmentation costs by state

How much is a boob job near you? Compare average breast augmentation prices and cost ranges by U.S. state. According to recent patient reviews on RealSelf, the cheapest state to get breast augmentation is Alabama, while the most expensive is Hawaii. 

You may also consider traveling internationally to save money on your procedure.

Breast augmentation costs in major U.S. metros