How Much Does Rhinoplasty Cost?

Content Reviewed by AEDIT Medical Advisory Board

What is the average cost of a rhinoplasty (a.k.a. nose job)?

The estimated average cost of a rhinoplasty procedure according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) was estimated to be between $5,400 - $5,500, but there are other possible expenses (more on them below!) that should be considered when booking a procedure.

• Estimated Average Cost of Rhinoplasty: $5,400 - $5,500
• Price Range for Rhinoplasty: $500 - $20,000

For candidates considering a nose job, it is beneficial to learn more about the various factors that affect the price of a plastic surgery procedure. The table below provides a general overview of potential cost factors.

Factors to Consider in the Total Cost of a Rhinoplasty Procedure

What is the difference between surgical and non-surgical rhinoplasty?

So, now that we’ve reviewed some basics, let’s start getting into the nitty gritty. The most major consideration in the cost of a rhinoplasty is whether your procedure will be surgical or non-surgical. As you would expect, non-surgical rhinoplasty procedures (like a liquid rhinoplasty or muscle paralysis rhinoplasty) will be less expensive than a surgical procedure. A non-surgical rhinoplasty eliminates the need for some of the high cost variables of a surgical procedure (like facility fees and anesthesiologist fees) with the trade off of longevity and intensity of results.

What affects the cost of rhinoplasty?

To continue our deep dive, let’s look more closely at the variables we introduced above. Keep in mind, the information provided is a general estimate and consultations with the providers you are considering will always offer the most accurate assessment of the cost of your procedure. The information below can help you to better understand the questions to ask and factors to consider when going into a consultation so you can feel empowered and informed throughout your cosmetic experience.

• Non-Surgical vs. Surgical: Non-surgical procedures typically cost less than surgical procedures as they are less invasive, do not require general anesthesia, and have reduced facility fees.
• Provider: A more experienced and specialized provider will generally charge more for their time, which may lead to higher consultation fees (that may or may not be applied as a credit towards the cost of the actual procedure) and a higher procedure cost.
• Anesthesiologist: As with the surgeon, experience and training will factor into cost. General anesthesia will be significantly more expensive than local anesthetics that do not need to be administered by an anesthesiologist.
• Location: The coasts are, generally speaking, more expensive than the middle of the country. The 2020 ASPS Report breaks down procedures by region and shows the east and west coasts account for 78 percent of all rhinoplasties performed in 2020. More procedures typically mean more experienced providers and higher procedure costs.
• Recovery: The recovery following a rhinoplasty will vary considerably by procedure, but may include prescriptions, recovery garments, follow ups, and downtime from work.

As previously mentioned, there are numerous types of rhinoplasties and the most appropriate procedure for a candidate will be dependent on the candidate’s unique needs. The table below provides a few more details specific to each procedure type.

Types of Rhinoplasty & the Impact on Cost

What does the cost of rhinoplasty include?

With all of the variations in procedures reviewed, you may still be wondering what the price of a rhinoplasty truly includes. The cost of the surgeon performing the actual procedure is typically what gets quoted as the ‘average cost’ of the procedure. It’s not an exact comparison, but think of it as the hourly rate of your provider. Remember, your provider has their own business related expenses like rent, staff, insurance, and supplies in addition to their personal salary.

The total cost of the procedure starts to increase as the additional variables are added. The other medical staff in the room during your procedure (anesthesiologist, nurses, surgical assistants), the various tools and medical supplies used during your procedure (needles, gauze, gowns, gloves, etc.), the cost of medications used during your procedure (sedatives, painkillers, antibiotics), and the cost of using the hospital or facility’s operating or procedure room.

You should consider the expenses you will personally encounter as you continue on your aesthetic journey. These may include consultation fees, travel, pre-operative care, missed time from work, and recovery supplies to make you more comfortable.

How much does rhinoplasty cost?

Ok, we know what you’re thinking: What kind of numbers are we actually talking about here? The table below provides range estimates by specific procedure type, inclusive of all the variables we discussed (with the exception of personal expenses). The ranges are large, but they can help give you a sense of which procedure types are more costly.

Average Rhinoplasty Cost by Procedure Type

How much does rhinoplasty cost across the United States?

Alright, now it’s time to think about a significant factor that plays a large role in the wide variations in cost: location, location, location. We’ve already cited the ASPS 2020 Statistics Report that shows 78 percent of all rhinoplasties occur along the coasts. It’s probably not surprising, therefore, to learn that plastic surgery costs tend to be higher in coastal geographic locations.

The table below breaks down rhinoplasty costs by state. The numbers in this table are from zip codes selected from the capital of each listed state.

Average Rhinoplasty Cost by State

*these states are presented as national averages as specific information is not available

How much does rhinoplasty cost around the world?

For those considering pursuing facial plastic surgery procedures, like rhinoplasty, abroad, the table below looks at some average costs in select countries around the world. Keep in mind travel costs, the reputation of the provider and facility, and expenses related to recovery times when reviewing the cost difference. The table below reflects costs converted to U.S. dollars.

Average Rhinoplasty Cost by Country in USD

Does insurance cover the cost of rhinoplasty?

Now that you’ve seen the numbers, you might be wondering if there is any scenario in which costs may be partially or entirely covered by a health insurance plan. The answer is maybe. To more clearly answer this question, two definitions from the American Medical Association (AMA) should be considered :

• Cosmetic Surgery: Procedures for reshaping normal structures for improved appearance and self-esteem.
• Reconstructive Surgery: Procedures performed on abnormal body structures resulting from congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, disease, infection, or tumors.

These definitions are important because cosmetic rhinoplasty is not covered by insurance. Reconstructive nose surgeries, however, typically are. Some candidates may pursue a rhinoplasty surgery for both aesthetic and functional (i.e. correcting the airway for breathing issues) purposes. In this situation, the patient’s provider may be able to document medical necessity and proof alternative therapies have been tried and failed to possibly gain insurance coverage. The ASPS provides more specific criteria you can review with your provider during your consultation.

Some medical conditions that cause abnormal breathing and may be considered a reconstructive rhinoplasty include septal deviation, turbinate edema due to allergies, or cleft lip nasal deformities.

In general, unless you have a consistently proven and documented medical condition affecting your breathing, your rhinoplasty procedure will most likely not be covered by insurance. Additionally, hybrid procedures that are both aesthetic and reconstructive may not be covered despite the functional benefit.