Electrician Prices in 2026: The Complete Cost Guide
Real numbers, published openly. Licensed residential electricians charge roughly $50 to $150 per hour plus a $75 to $200 trip fee, but most jobs are priced flat-rate per task. Every category below shows the national 2026 planning range so you can compare a quote against something real.
- National ranges, not invented "average" numbers
- Line-item detail for every service category
- No charge for the call or the phone triage
- Written quotes only — flat rate per task
- Priced by licensed contractors, not by this site
Price ranges by service category
The broad band for each category. Inside it, the difference is almost always access, panel capacity and whether the job is permitted.
| Service | Low | High | Typical time on site | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke & CO Detector Installation | $100 | $800 | 1-3 hours | Full guide → |
| Outlet, Switch & Receptacle Installation | $120 | $500 | 1-3 hours | Full guide → |
| Electrical Repair & Troubleshooting | $145 | $650 | 1-3 hours | Full guide → |
| 24/7 Emergency Electrician | $150 | $850 | Same visit | Full guide → |
| Circuit Breaker Replacement & Repair | $150 | $600 | 1-3 hours | Full guide → |
| GFCI & AFCI Protection | $150 | $500 | 1-2 hours | Full guide → |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | $150 | $600 | 1-3 hours | Full guide → |
| Recessed & LED Lighting Installation | $150 | $900 | 3 hours - 2 days | Full guide → |
| Dedicated Circuit Installation | $200 | $900 | 3-6 hours | Full guide → |
| Electrical Safety Inspection | $250 | $900 | 1-3 hours | Full guide → |
| Whole-House Surge Protection | $300 | $900 | 1-3 hours | Full guide → |
| Aluminum Wiring Repair | $300 | $9,000 | 1 day - 2 weeks | Full guide → |
| Commercial Electrical Services | $300 | $15,000 | Project based | Full guide → |
| Hot Tub & Spa Wiring | $400 | $2,000 | 4 hours - 2 days | Full guide → |
| EV Charger Installation | $500 | $3,500 | 3-6 hours | Full guide → |
| Electrical Panel Replacement | $1,300 | $4,000 | 4-8 hours | Full guide → |
| Solar & Battery Storage Wiring | $1,500 | $12,000 | 2-5 days | Full guide → |
| 200 Amp Service Upgrade | $1,800 | $4,500 | 1-2 days | Full guide → |
| Whole-House Generator Installation | $4,000 | $18,000 | 1-3 days | Full guide → |
| Whole-House Rewiring | $8,000 | $30,000 | 1-3 weeks | Full guide → |
Ranges reflect published 2026 US market pricing for residential work. Commercial work is quoted from a site survey.
Line-item pricing for every category
The same tables that appear on each service page, collected here. Use them to check whether a bid is built the way a bid should be.
24/7 Emergency Electrician
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency call-out / after-hours diagnostic | $150 – $350 | Often credited toward the repair |
| Burned outlet or switch replacement | $185 – $425 | Includes new device and pigtail repair |
| Tripping breaker diagnosis and repair | $175 – $500 | Circuit tracing included |
| Partial power loss / open neutral repair | $250 – $750 | Common at the meter base or main lug |
| Storm or water damage make-safe | $300 – $850 | Pricing depends on circuits affected |
Electrical Repair & Troubleshooting
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic / service call | $75 – $200 | Frequently applied to the repair |
| Re-terminate loose device or splice | $145 – $320 | Per device, first two often bundled |
| Dead circuit restore (buried junction or open neutral) | $220 – $650 | Tracing time drives the number |
| Flickering light diagnosis and repair | $145 – $400 | Includes fixture check |
| Appliance circuit repair (dryer, range, AC) | $175 – $525 | Dryer and range faults are common |
Electrical Panel Replacement
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100A to 200A panel replacement | $1,300 – $4,000 | The national band for a straightforward swap |
| Panel replacement with meter base work | $1,900 – $4,800 | Adds meter socket and mast parts |
| Fuse box to breaker panel conversion | $1,600 – $4,200 | Often needs new branch terminations |
| Sub-panel replacement (garage, shop, outbuilding) | $1,200 – $2,800 | Feeder condition drives the range |
| Permit and inspection fees | $50 – $500 | Set by the local authority, passed through |
200 Amp Service Upgrade
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100A to 200A overhead service upgrade | $1,800 – $3,500 | Most common configuration |
| 100A to 200A underground service upgrade | $2,400 – $4,500 | Trenching and conduit add cost |
| 200A to 400A service upgrade | $4,500 – $9,500 | Large homes, dual panels, heavy EV load |
| Meter base and mast replacement | $400 – $1,400 | Required when components are damaged |
| Load calculation and permit package | $150 – $600 | Often bundled with the upgrade |
Whole-House Rewiring
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-home rewire, open access (attic/basement bays) | $8,000 – $16,000 | Roughly $4-$7 per sq ft in easy-access homes |
| Whole-home rewire, fully finished with plaster | $14,000 – $30,000 | Up to $15 per sq ft in dense markets |
| Partial rewire (circuit groups / one floor) | $2,500 – $9,000 | Often the first phase |
| Knob-and-tube removal and replacement | $3,000 – $12,000 | Depends on how much remains |
| Aluminium branch circuit remediation | $2,000 – $8,000 | Pigtailing copper at each device, or full replacement |
EV Charger Installation
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 charger install, short garage run | $500 – $1,200 | Panel on the same wall, under 25 ft |
| Level 2 charger install, medium run (25-60 ft) | $900 – $2,200 | Through walls, ceiling or exterior |
| Long or outdoor run / detached garage | $1,500 – $3,500 | Conduit, trenching or stub-ups |
| NEMA 14-50 outlet instead of hardwired | $400 – $950 | Requires GFCI breaker in most cases |
| Panel upgrade if capacity is short | $1,300 – $4,000 | Only when the load calc requires it |
Outlet, Switch & Receptacle Installation
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Replace an existing outlet or switch | $120 – $300 | Simple swap, same location |
| Install a new outlet on an existing circuit | $180 – $450 | Short run, accessible wall |
| GFCI or AFCI receptacle install | $185 – $385 | Required near water and in many remodels |
| Smart switch, dimmer or three-way replacement | $150 – $400 | Per device, includes compatibility check |
| USB-C receptacle or combination device | $165 – $380 | Device cost included |
Dedicated Circuit Installation
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20 amp dedicated circuit, short run | $200 – $450 | Microwave, freezer, dishwasher |
| 20 amp dedicated circuit, long or finished-wall run | $350 – $700 | Fishing and patching add time |
| 30 amp circuit (dryer, small AC, shop tool) | $300 – $750 | Includes 10-gauge conductors |
| 50 amp circuit (range, welder, RV outlet) | $400 – $900 | Includes heavy cable and breaker |
| GFCI breaker upgrade on a new circuit | $60 – $200 | Required in wet locations |
Circuit Breaker Replacement & Repair
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit breaker replacement (standard single) | $150 – $350 | Includes a matched replacement breaker |
| Double-pole or 240V breaker replacement | $200 – $450 | Dryer, range, AC circuits |
| GFCI / AFCI breaker replacement | $200 – $500 | Costlier device, more testing |
| Circuit fault tracing behind repeated trips | $200 – $600 | Often the real problem |
| Obsolete-panel breaker sourcing | $250 – $600 | When available at all |
GFCI & AFCI Protection
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GFCI receptacle installation | $185 – $385 | Per device, including the device |
| AFCI breaker installation in panel | $200 – $450 | Requires panel access and testing |
| Dual-function AFCI/GFCI protection | $220 – $500 | Combined protection in one device |
| Nuisance trip diagnosis and correction | $175 – $425 | Common with shared-neutral faults |
| Outdoor, pool or irrigation GFCI protection | $250 – $700 | Weather-rated devices and enclosures |
Whole-House Generator Installation
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manual transfer switch and inlet box | $800 – $2,500 | For a portable generator |
| Automatic transfer switch installation | $1,800 – $4,500 | Electrical side of a standby system |
| Standby generator electrical install (22-26 kW) | $4,000 – $9,000 | Typically the most requested size |
| Larger standby system (30-48 kW or whole-house) | $7,000 – $18,000 | Large homes, heavy electric load |
| Generator sub-panel and load management | $900 – $3,000 | Keeps the home inside a smaller generator |
Ceiling Fan Installation
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling fan install on an existing rated box | $150 – $350 | Straightforward single-story room |
| Ceiling fan install with new box and brace | $220 – $500 | Includes attic access work |
| High or vaulted ceiling fan installation | $350 – $600 | Lift and downrod included |
| Remote or smart wall control wiring | $120 – $300 | Depends on switch availability |
| Outdoor or damp-rated porch fan | $250 – $550 | Weather-rated fixture and box |
Recessed & LED Lighting Installation
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recessed LED fixture install (per light, open access) | $125 – $300 | Attic access, existing circuit |
| Recessed fixture install, finished ceiling | $175 – $400 | Cutting, fishing and patching |
| Under-cabinet LED strip lighting | $350 – $900 | Run length and switching drive cost |
| New dimmer and switch leg | $150 – $400 | Per control location |
| Outdoor, security or landscape lighting run | $400 – $1,500 | Trenching and transformers excluded |
Whole-House Surge Protection
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-house surge protective device (Type 2) | $300 – $700 | Panel-mounted with dedicated breaker |
| Premium SPD with higher surge rating | $450 – $900 | For lightning-prone areas |
| Grounding and bonding repair before SPD install | $250 – $800 | Often required for warranty coverage |
| Sub-panel surge protection | $350 – $750 | Detached garage, shop, pool equipment |
| Point-of-use protection review | $100 – $300 | Often bundled with the panel device |
Hot Tub & Spa Wiring
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spa circuit, short surface run (under 30 ft) | $400 – $900 | Includes GFCI breaker and disconnect |
| Spa circuit, trenched exterior run | $700 – $1,600 | Trenching and conduit included |
| Hot tub disconnect and GFCI protection only | $300 – $750 | When the circuit already exists |
| Pool pump, heater or heat pump circuit | $450 – $1,500 | Depends on equipment load |
| Bonding grid and equipotential work | $250 – $900 | Required around most water features |
Aluminum Wiring Repair
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full aluminium wiring inspection and report | $300 – $900 | Room-by-room device check |
| Copper pigtailing at outlets and switches | $40 – $120 | Per device, typical remediation method |
| Whole-home pigtailing remediation | $2,000 – $6,000 | Depends on device count |
| Partial circuit replacement | $1,500 – $5,000 | Kitchen, bath, laundry first |
| Full branch circuit replacement | $4,000 – $9,000 | Highest-confidence fix |
Smoke & CO Detector Installation
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Battery-powered alarm, installed per device | $100 – $200 | Simplest upgrade |
| Hardwired interconnected alarm (per device) | $150 – $350 | Includes wiring to the loop |
| Combination smoke and CO alarm | $175 – $400 | Recommended near fuel appliances |
| Whole-home interconnected system (5-8 alarms) | $500 – $1,500 | Depends on access and wiring |
| Replace expired 10-year sealed alarms | $110 – $250 | Per device, includes disposal |
Electrical Safety Inspection
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic electrical safety inspection | $250 – $500 | Single-family home, written summary |
| Full inspection with thermal imaging and report | $450 – $900 | Recommended for homes 40+ years old |
| Pre-listing inspection for sellers | $300 – $700 | Avoids surprises during escrow |
| Pre-renovation assessment | $300 – $800 | Capacity and code pathways |
| Insurance-required documentation visit | $250 – $600 | Report formatted for underwriters |
Solar & Battery Storage Wiring
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar interconnection at the main panel | $1,500 – $4,000 | Depends on busbar rating and method |
| Battery system electrical install (one unit) | $2,500 – $6,000 | Including transfer and critical loads |
| Critical-load sub-panel installation | $1,200 – $3,500 | Keeps essentials live in an outage |
| Main panel or service upgrade for interconnection | $1,800 – $4,500 | When the busbar rating is short |
| Inverter replacement or add-on circuit | $800 – $3,000 | Electrical scope only |
Commercial Electrical Services
| Work | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial service call and diagnostics | $300 – $900 | Site visit with written scope |
| LED lighting retrofit (per fixture installed) | $90 – $300 | Depends on access and fixture type |
| New dedicated equipment circuit | $600 – $3,500 | Kitchen, refrigeration, production |
| Three-phase sub-panel installation | $2,500 – $9,000 | Includes feeder and disconnects |
| Parking lot or site lighting repair | $500 – $6,000 | Pole, ballast or driver work |
Why two quotes for the same job differ
Legitimate reasons
- One contractor priced the permit, the other did not
- Equipment brand and warranty length differ
- One survey happened on site, the other over the phone
- Access conditions: attic, crawlspace, finished plaster
- Whether the grounding and bonding corrections are included
- Whether drywall patching and clean-up are included
Warning signs
- An offer to skip a permit that your jurisdiction requires
- No licence number on the quote or the van
- A price that assumes nothing will be uncovered
- Full payment demanded up front on a small job
- Change orders that appear only after the wall is open
- No written warranty terms on labour
How to get an accurate price
- Photograph the panel with the cover closed and the circuit directory visible, plus any device that is failing.
- Write down symptoms precisely — when it happens, which circuit, what changed recently.
- Say what you want installed if the job is an installation: model, amperage, location, and how far the parking or appliance is from the panel.
- Ask for the scope in writing and confirm permit handling, materials, patching, disposal and warranty before comparing totals.
Where the money actually goes
On most residential jobs, labour is the majority of the invoice, not the parts. A 200-amp panel is a modest component cost; the day of labour, the permit, the inspection and the service-entrance work around it make up the rest. That is why labour rates in your market matter more than material prices when you compare cities — and why access, not equipment, is the biggest lever you control.
Jump to a category
24/7 Emergency Electrician
$150 – $850Electrical Repair & Troubleshooting
$145 – $650Electrical Panel Replacement
$1,300 – $4,000200 Amp Service Upgrade
$1,800 – $4,500Whole-House Rewiring
$8,000 – $30,000EV Charger Installation
$500 – $3,500Outlet, Switch & Receptacle Installation
$120 – $500Dedicated Circuit Installation
$200 – $900Circuit Breaker Replacement & Repair
$150 – $600GFCI & AFCI Protection
$150 – $500Whole-House Generator Installation
$4,000 – $18,000Ceiling Fan Installation
$150 – $600Pricing questions
How quickly can someone get here?
Timing depends on the local contractor schedule and the nature of the call. Genuine emergencies are usually prioritised, often with same-day or overnight response, while planned work is typically scheduled within days rather than hours.
How do I know the electrician is licensed?
Ask for the licence number before work begins and confirm it with the licensing authority for your state or municipality. Electrical licensing is handled at state level in most of the country and at city or county level in a few large metro areas, so the correct place to verify depends on where you live. A licensed contractor will give you the number, and usually the insurance certificate too, without being asked twice.
What should I do while waiting for an electrician?
For an urgent fault, switch the affected circuit off at the panel and leave it off. If the panel itself is hot, smoking, sparking or wet, do not touch it and keep everyone away from it. Never pull a meter or open a panel, and never pour water on anything electrical.
Do you charge for estimates?
Many contractors give a free estimate on planned work such as a panel replacement, charger install or rewire, while diagnostic visits for an unknown fault usually carry a trip fee that is often credited toward the repair. The exact policy varies by contractor, and it should be confirmed on the phone before anyone travels.
Is a permit needed for electrical work?
Permits are commonly required for panel replacements, service upgrades, new circuits, and work in wet locations like kitchens, bathrooms and outdoors. Simple device replacements often do not need one. Because requirements are set locally, the safest approach is to ask the contractor who will pull the permit and confirm the inspection record afterwards.
Do you handle both homes and small businesses?
Most local electrical contractors take residential work and light commercial work such as retail, restaurant and office premises, including three-phase distribution, lighting retrofits and dedicated equipment circuits. Larger commercial projects are quoted from a site survey.
How much does an electrician cost per hour?
Licensed residential electricians generally charge in the $50 to $150 per hour range in 2026, plus a service call fee of roughly $75 to $200. Most companies now price common jobs flat-rate rather than hourly, which means the number you are quoted is the number you pay if the scope does not change.
What payment methods are typical?
Card, cheque and bank transfer are common, with financing available on larger projects through some companies. Be cautious of anyone demanding full payment in cash up front — a deposit for materials is normal on large jobs, full prepayment is not.
Get a price for your specific job
Free phone triage: describe what is happening and find out whether it needs a visit today or can be scheduled. No obligation, no charge for the call.
Call (619) 877-0478Call (619) 877-0478. Describe the job and ask for a flat price per task plus the trip fee.
Published ranges on this page are editorial estimates for planning purposes. They are not quotes, and nothing on this page is a promise of price by any contractor. Every figure should be checked against a written estimate for your own address.