Pricing guide
How Much Does an Electrician Cost?
Updated June 2026
Electricians usually charge an hourly rate plus a service fee for small jobs, and a project price for bigger work like a panel upgrade or rewiring a house. Below are honest, typical U.S. ranges so you know what to expect and what drives the cost.
Average electrician rate
$50 to $150 per hour
Plus a service or trip fee for the visit. Larger jobs like rewiring or a panel upgrade are priced by the scope of work, not by the hour.
Quick answer
Electricians typically charge $50 to $150 per hour plus a $75 to $150 service fee. Common jobs are often flat-rated (about $120 to $300 to install an outlet), while big projects like a panel upgrade ($1,500 to $4,000) or a whole-home rewire ($8,000 to $30,000) are priced by scope.
Electrician price list
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $50 to $150 |
| Service / trip fee | $75 to $150 |
| Install outlet or switch | $120 to $300 |
| Ceiling fan or light fixture | $150 to $400 |
| Panel upgrade | $1,500 to $4,000 |
| Whole-home rewire | $8,000 to $30,000 |
| EV charger install | $500 to $2,000 |
Prices are typical U.S. ranges and vary by region, scope, and condition. Always get a written quote.
Cost by common electrical job
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Replace outlet or switch | $120 to $300 |
| Install ceiling fan | $150 to $400 |
| Install light fixture | $150 to $450 |
| Add a dedicated circuit | $300 to $900 |
| Panel upgrade (100 to 200 amp) | $1,500 to $4,000 |
| EV charger install | $500 to $2,000 |
| Whole-house generator | $4,000 to $15,000 |
Whole-home rewire cost by home size
| Home size | Typical rewire cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,000 sq ft | $4,000 to $10,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $6,000 to $15,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $8,000 to $20,000 |
| 3,000+ sq ft | $12,000 to $30,000+ |
What affects the cost
Job complexity
Swapping an outlet is quick; running new circuits, upgrading a panel, or rewiring an old home is far more involved and priced by scope.
Hourly vs flat-rate
Many electricians flat-rate common tasks so you know the price up front, while custom work is billed hourly plus materials.
Permits and inspections
Bigger jobs require a permit and inspection, which add cost but protect you. Skipping permits is a red flag.
Home age and access
Older homes, finished walls, and hard-to-reach runs take longer, which raises labor, the biggest part of the bill.
Where the money goes
For service calls, expect a trip or diagnostic fee plus labor, with materials on top. For projects, the bid bundles labor, materials, and permits by scope. Labor is the main cost, so anything that slows the electrician down (old wiring, finished walls, tight access) raises the price.
Should you DIY or hire a pro?
Electrical work is licensed and permitted for a reason: shock and fire risk are real, and unpermitted work can fail a home inspection at resale. DIY should be limited to swapping a like-for-like fixture or outlet where local code allows. Panel upgrades, new circuits, rewiring, and anything involving the service entrance require a licensed electrician.
How to save on electrical work
- Bundle several small jobs into one visit to spread the service fee.
- Ask for a flat-rate quote on common tasks so there are no hourly surprises.
- Schedule non-urgent work during business hours to avoid emergency rates.
- Confirm the quote includes the permit and inspection; skipping them costs you at resale.
- Hire a licensed electrician, not a handyman, for anything beyond a like-for-like swap.
Backed by our research
Labor drives electrician pricing. Our research shows an electrician industry average around $76,500 and a BLS occupation median near $63,000, which is why skilled electrical work commands a premium.
Read the Electrician Business Statistics studyRun a electrical work business? Here is what to charge
If you run an electrical business, flat-rate your common tasks for trust and margin, charge a diagnostic fee, and bid projects by scope with permits included. Fast, clear estimates win the job.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an electrician cost?+
Most electricians charge $50 to $150 per hour plus a $75 to $150 service or trip fee. Common tasks are often flat-rated (for example $120 to $300 to install an outlet), and large projects are bid by scope.
How much does it cost to rewire a house?+
A whole-home rewire typically runs $8,000 to $30,000 depending on the home's size, age, and accessibility. Older homes with finished walls cost more because the work is slower and more invasive.
How much does a panel upgrade cost?+
Upgrading an electrical panel (for example from 100 to 200 amps) commonly runs $1,500 to $4,000 including the permit, depending on the panel, location, and any service-entrance work.
How much to install an EV charger?+
A Level 2 EV charger installation usually runs $500 to $2,000 depending on the distance from the panel, whether a new circuit is needed, and any panel capacity upgrade.
Do electricians charge a service call fee?+
Most do. A $75 to $150 trip or diagnostic fee covers the visit and is often credited toward the work if you proceed. Labor and materials are billed on top.
More pricing guides
How we research these prices
These figures are typical U.S. market ranges, cross-checked against our own industry research where we have it, and reviewed periodically. Prices vary by region, scope, condition, and the pro you hire, so treat them as a starting point and always get a written quote. Last updated June 2026.
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