How Much Does Pet Microchipping Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Pet Microchipping Include?
Pet microchipping implants a tiny RFID chip (about the size of a grain of rice) under your pet's skin between the shoulder blades. When scanned by a shelter or vet, the chip displays a unique ID number linked to your contact information in a pet recovery database.
The national average cost for pet microchipping is $45 per pet. Most homeowners pay between $25 and $75, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Location
Shelter event: $10-$25. Petco/PetSmart clinic: $15-$30. Vet office: $35-$75. With other procedure: $15-$25 add-on
Registration
Basic lifetime registration: free-$20. Premium (with alerts, vet records): $20-$100/year or one-time
Pet Type
Dogs and cats: standard price. Horses, birds, exotics: may be slightly more at specialty vets
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Veterinary clinic vs shelter/event pricing
- ✓Registration fee
- ✓Pet type (dog, cat, exotic)
- ✓Bundled with other services
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Many shelters offer microchipping for $10-$25 at adoption events
- 2.Bundle with spay/neuter surgery — many vets add microchipping for just $15-$25 while the pet is under anesthesia
- 3.Check for local microchipping clinics and events (Petco, PetSmart partnerships): $15-$30
- 4.The microchip itself costs the vet $5-$10 — you're mostly paying for the injection
📈 Pet Microchipping Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +18.4% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $38 | — |
| 2021 | $40 | +5.3% |
| 2022 | $43 | +7.5% |
| 2023 | $44 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $45 | +2.3% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Pet Microchipping Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $21 | $37 | $61 |
| Alaska | $32 | $58 | $96 |
| Arizona | $24 | $43 | $71 |
| Arkansas | $20 | $36 | $60 |
| California | $34 | $61 | $101 |
| Colorado | $27 | $49 | $81 |
| Connecticut | $31 | $55 | $92 |
| Delaware | $26 | $47 | $79 |
| Florida | $25 | $44 | $74 |
| Georgia | $23 | $41 | $68 |
| Hawaii | $36 | $64 | $107 |
| Idaho | $23 | $41 | $69 |
| Illinois | $26 | $47 | $79 |
| Indiana | $22 | $40 | $66 |
| Iowa | $22 | $39 | $65 |
| Kansas | $21 | $38 | $64 |
| Kentucky | $21 | $38 | $63 |
| Louisiana | $22 | $39 | $65 |
| Maine | $26 | $46 | $77 |
| Maryland | $29 | $52 | $86 |
| Massachusetts | $33 | $59 | $98 |
| Michigan | $23 | $41 | $69 |
| Minnesota | $26 | $46 | $77 |
| Mississippi | $20 | $35 | $59 |
| Missouri | $22 | $39 | $65 |
| Montana | $24 | $43 | $71 |
| Nebraska | $22 | $40 | $66 |
| Nevada | $26 | $46 | $77 |
| New Hampshire | $28 | $50 | $84 |
| New Jersey | $31 | $56 | $94 |
| New Mexico | $23 | $41 | $68 |
| New York | $33 | $59 | $99 |
| North Carolina | $23 | $41 | $68 |
| North Dakota | $23 | $41 | $68 |
| Ohio | $23 | $41 | $68 |
| Oklahoma | $21 | $37 | $62 |
| Oregon | $28 | $50 | $83 |
| Pennsylvania | $26 | $46 | $77 |
| Rhode Island | $29 | $52 | $86 |
| South Carolina | $22 | $39 | $65 |
| South Dakota | $21 | $38 | $64 |
| Tennessee | $22 | $39 | $65 |
| Texas | $23 | $42 | $70 |
| Utah | $24 | $43 | $71 |
| Vermont | $27 | $49 | $81 |
| Virginia | $26 | $47 | $79 |
| Washington | $29 | $52 | $86 |
| West Virginia | $20 | $36 | $60 |
| Wisconsin | $24 | $42 | $71 |
| Wyoming | $23 | $41 | $69 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does microchipping hurt my pet?
About the same as a routine vaccination — it's a quick injection with a slightly larger needle. No anesthesia is needed. Most pets barely react. If done during spay/neuter surgery, they don't feel it at all.
How effective are microchips at reuniting lost pets?
Very effective — microchipped dogs are returned to their owners 52% of the time vs 22% for non-chipped dogs. Cats: 39% vs 2%. The chip lasts the pet's lifetime with no battery. The key is keeping your registration contact info current.
🏙️ Pet Microchipping Cost by City
Compare pet microchipping costs in the most popular US cities:
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