Electrician Cost USA 2026: Rates and Job Prices
By Our research team · Last verified · 13 min read · Methodology
Electrician costs in the US
What most homeowners pay for electrical work, labor and basic materials included. Pick your city for local prices.
How we get this data- Typical
- $90/hr
- Low end
- $40/hr
- High end
- $260/hr
A licensed electrician in the USA costs $50–$130 an hour in 2026, and most homeowners pay about $90/hr. Small jobs usually land at $80–$450 once the service call is counted; a 100A to 200A panel upgrade runs $1,500–$4,500 and a Level 2 EV charger install $1,000–$2,700.
$50–$130/hr for a licensed US electrician — $90/hr typical. Budget $75–$200 for a service call, $150–$350 for a new outlet and $1,500–$4,500 for a 100A to 200A panel upgrade. Pick your city ↓
- US electrician rates: $50–$130/hr for licensed work, $90/hr typical
- Service call $75–$200; after hours $100–$260/hr plus a $75–$200 call-out fee
- New outlet $150–$350, ceiling fan $140–$450, GFCI $90–$350
- Panel upgrade 100A to 200A $1,500–$4,500; Level 2 EV charger $1,000–$2,700; whole-house rewire $7,500–$24,500
- Pick a city below for local prices across 195 US metros
Prices come from 52 public sources — national cost guides, local city price guides, contractor price pages, equipment prices, federal wage data and IRS pages — checked in November 2026 and priced for 195 US metros. They include labor and basic materials unless a row says otherwise; permits and utility fees are extra.
Licensed electricians charge $50–$130/hr across the US, and the median electrician earns $30.38/hr ($63,190 a year) in federal data — the gap is insurance, vehicles, licensing, office time and profit. The highest typical rates on our city pages are in San Francisco, New York, Brooklyn, Los Angeles and Seattle; the lowest are in El Paso, McAllen, Brownsville, Lubbock and Laredo. Credible quotes run from about $40/hr for apprentice-level work in a low-cost area to $260/hr for after-hours work in a premium market.
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 52+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Electrician cost by city
Typical electrician ranges, re-verified November 2026 across 52+ sources. Largest cities first.
Among the biggest metros, San Francisco is the priciest at $155/hr and Miami the least at $75/hr.
Half of the 195 metros we price sit between $80 and $100/hr.
Each city page has local rates by area, real-world electrical work costs and a city-specific FAQ. Prices shown are the low end of the typical range, per hour.
Alabama
- Birminghamfrom $50
- Huntsvillefrom $50
- Mobilefrom $50
- Montgomeryfrom $45
- Tuscaloosafrom $50
Arkansas
- Little Rockfrom $45
- Fayettevillefrom $45
California
- Los Angelesfrom $95
- San Franciscofrom $110
- Riversidefrom $60
- San Diegofrom $70
- Orange Countyfrom $70
- Oaklandfrom $75
- Sacramentofrom $70
- San Josefrom $75
- Fresnofrom $60
- Bakersfieldfrom $55
- Oxnardfrom $50
- Stocktonfrom $55
- Modestofrom $55
- Santa Rosafrom $55
- Visaliafrom $50
- Long Beachfrom $70
- Santa Barbarafrom $55
- Salinasfrom $55
Colorado
- Denverfrom $55
- Colorado Springsfrom $50
- Fort Collinsfrom $50
- Boulderfrom $50
Connecticut
- Hartfordfrom $60
- Bridgeportfrom $60
- New Havenfrom $55
- Stamfordfrom $60
Delaware
- Wilmingtonfrom $55
District of Columbia
- Washingtonfrom $85
Florida
- Miamifrom $50
- Tampafrom $60
- Orlandofrom $60
- Fort Lauderdalefrom $65
- Jacksonvillefrom $55
- West Palm Beachfrom $55
- St. Petersburgfrom $55
- Sarasotafrom $45
- Fort Myersfrom $50
- Lakelandfrom $45
- Daytona Beachfrom $45
- Palm Bayfrom $50
- Pensacolafrom $45
- Tallahasseefrom $45
- Gainesvillefrom $45
Idaho
- Boisefrom $65
Indiana
- Indianapolisfrom $65
- Fort Waynefrom $55
- Evansvillefrom $55
- South Bendfrom $55
Iowa
- Des Moinesfrom $50
- Davenportfrom $55
- Cedar Rapidsfrom $45
Kentucky
- Louisvillefrom $65
- Lexingtonfrom $50
Louisiana
- New Orleansfrom $65
- Baton Rougefrom $55
- Lafayettefrom $50
- Shreveportfrom $50
Maine
- Portlandfrom $55
Maryland
- Baltimorefrom $65
Massachusetts
- Bostonfrom $85
- Worcesterfrom $55
- Springfieldfrom $55
Michigan
- Detroitfrom $75
- Grand Rapidsfrom $55
- Lansingfrom $55
- Flintfrom $55
- Ann Arborfrom $55
Minnesota
- Minneapolisfrom $75
- Duluthfrom $55
- Rochesterfrom $55
Mississippi
- Jacksonfrom $45
- Gulfportfrom $50
- Hattiesburgfrom $45
Missouri
- St. Louisfrom $70
- Kansas Cityfrom $70
- Springfieldfrom $50
- Columbiafrom $50
New Hampshire
- Manchesterfrom $50
New Jersey
- Newarkfrom $70
- Trentonfrom $60
- Jersey Cityfrom $70
- Atlantic Cityfrom $50
New Mexico
- Albuquerquefrom $55
- Las Crucesfrom $45
- Santa Fefrom $50
New York
North Carolina
- Charlottefrom $65
- Raleighfrom $60
- Greensborofrom $50
- Winston-Salemfrom $45
- Durhamfrom $55
- Fayettevillefrom $50
- Ashevillefrom $45
- Wilmingtonfrom $45
- Greenvillefrom $45
North Dakota
- Fargofrom $55
Ohio
- Cincinnatifrom $65
- Columbusfrom $65
- Clevelandfrom $70
- Daytonfrom $50
- Akronfrom $55
- Toledofrom $55
- Youngstownfrom $50
- Cantonfrom $50
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Cityfrom $50
- Tulsafrom $50
Pennsylvania
- Philadelphiafrom $70
- Pittsburghfrom $70
- Harrisburgfrom $55
- Scrantonfrom $50
- Eriefrom $50
Rhode Island
- Providencefrom $60
South Carolina
- Greenvillefrom $50
- Columbiafrom $55
- Charlestonfrom $55
- Myrtle Beachfrom $45
South Dakota
- Sioux Fallsfrom $50
Tennessee
- Nashvillefrom $50
- Memphisfrom $65
- Knoxvillefrom $55
- Chattanoogafrom $55
Texas
- Dallasfrom $75
- Houstonfrom $45
- San Antoniofrom $85
- Fort Worthfrom $55
- Austinfrom $75
- McAllenfrom $45
- El Pasofrom $40
- Killeenfrom $45
- Corpus Christifrom $50
- Brownsvillefrom $45
- Beaumontfrom $50
- Arlingtonfrom $55
- Lubbockfrom $45
- Wacofrom $45
- Laredofrom $45
- Amarillofrom $45
Utah
- Salt Lake Cityfrom $65
- Provofrom $50
- Ogdenfrom $50
- St. Georgefrom $50
Vermont
- Burlingtonfrom $50
Virginia
- Virginia Beachfrom $55
- Richmondfrom $65
- Roanokefrom $50
- Norfolkfrom $55
West Virginia
- Charlestonfrom $50
Wyoming
- Cheyennefrom $55
Electrician prices, 2026
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician hourly rateper hour | $50 | $90 | $130 |
| Service call feeper visit | $75 | $125 | $200 |
| Troubleshooting visit (finding a fault)per visit | $150 | $275 | $500 |
| Emergency / after-hours call-out feeper call | $75 | $150 | $200 |
| Emergency visit, all-in (call-out + first hour)per visit | $175 | $310 | $460 |
| After-hours hourly rateper hour | $100 | $160 | $260 |
| Electrician day rate (8 × the hourly rate)per day | $400 | $720 | $1,050 |
| Replace an outlet (standard double outlet)per outlet | $80 | $140 | $200 |
| New outlet install (new wire run)per outlet | $150 | $250 | $350 |
| USB outlet replacementper outlet | $100 | $150 | $200 |
| GFCI outlet or GFCI breakereach | $90 | $170 | $350 |
| Dimmer switch installeach | $80 | $140 | $200 |
| Ceiling fan installation (existing box)per fan | $140 | $250 | $450 |
| Pendant light installper light | $100 | $200 | $400 |
| Recessed LED light (finished ceiling)per light | $125 | $200 | $300 |
| Outdoor light fixture installper fixture | $75 | $150 | $500 |
| Hardwired smoke detector (supply + install)each | $110 | $200 | $400 |
| Dedicated 240V circuit (dryer, range, AC)installed | $250 | $600 | $1,200 |
| Level 2 EV charger install (standard charger included)installed | $1,000 | $1,700 | $2,700 |
| Electrical panel upgrade (100A → 200A)installed | $1,500 | $2,500 | $4,500 |
| 400A service upgradeinstalled | $4,000 | $7,000 | $12,000 |
| Solar string inverter replacementinstalled | $1,500 | $2,300 | $3,500 |
| Rewiring, per roomper room | $500 | $1,750 | $3,500 |
| Whole-house rewire (about 1,500–2,000 sq ft)per home | $7,500 | $14,000 | $24,500 |
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 52+ American pricing sources · See methodology
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Electrical panel jobs compared: cost and when you need each
The most common big job — a 100A to 200A panel upgrade — is $1,500–$4,500. A subpanel is $400–$1,750, a smart panel $3,000–$9,500 and a 400A service upgrade $4,000–$12,000.
| Panel job | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Panel upgrade, 100A → 200A | $1,500–$4,500 installed | Adding an EV charger, heat pump, hot tub or an addition to a 60–100A home |
| Add a subpanel | $400–$1,750 installed | Out of breaker spaces, or power for a garage, shop or addition |
| Smart panel (replaces the main panel) | $3,000–$9,500 installed | Circuit-by-circuit monitoring and control, often paired with solar, a battery or an EV |
| 400A service upgrade | $4,000–$12,000 installed | Large all-electric homes, two EV chargers plus heat pumps |
| Replace a fuse box with a breaker panel | $1,500–$4,500 installed | Older homes still on fuses — often raised by insurers and home inspectors |
| Replace a Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel | $1,500–$4,000 installed | Panels that home inspectors and many insurers flag; never formally recalled, but widely replaced |
| Move the panel and meter | $1,000–$4,000 installed | Remodels, or a panel in a closet or bathroom that no longer meets code |
| Whole-home surge protector at the panel | $200–$800 installed | Any panel, and a must in lightning and storm country; required with a new panel or service where the 2020 or 2023 NEC is adopted |
| Generator interlock + inlet box | $400–$850 installed | Running a portable generator through the panel safely |
| Generator transfer switch | $400–$2,500 installed | Standby generators, or picking which circuits stay on in an outage |
| Add GFCI protection (outlet or breaker) | $90–$350 installed | Kitchens, baths, laundry, garages, basements and outdoor outlets, where code calls for it |
Most panel jobs need a permit and a utility meter pull, so a licensed electrician should do them. Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels were never formally recalled, but home inspectors and many insurers flag them, and replacing one is usually the same job as a standard panel swap.
Common electrical jobs and what they cost (2026)
Most homeowner jobs are priced by the job, not the hour. A simple outlet swap is $80–$200, a ceiling fan on an existing box $140–$450, and a 100A to 200A panel upgrade $1,500–$4,500. Time on site is in brackets.
| Block or rate | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swap an outlet or switch (under 1 hr) | $80 | $140 | $200 |
| Add a GFCI outlet (under 1 hr) | $90 | $170 | $350 |
| Install a dimmer (under 1 hr) | $80 | $140 | $200 |
| Hang a ceiling fan on an existing box (1–2 hrs) | $140 | $250 | $450 |
| Hang a pendant or light fixture (1–2 hrs) | $100 | $200 | $400 |
| Replace a hardwired smoke detector (1–2 hrs) | $110 | $200 | $400 |
| Install a whole-home surge protector (1–2 hrs) | $200 | $500 | $800 |
| Install a generator interlock and inlet box (2–4 hrs) | $400 | $620 | $850 |
| Run a dedicated 240V circuit (2–5 hrs) | $250 | $600 | $1,200 |
| Install a Level 2 EV charger (half a day) | $1,000 | $1,700 | $2,700 |
| Add a subpanel (half a day to a day) | $400 | $1,000 | $1,750 |
| Upgrade a panel 100A → 200A (about a day) | $1,500 | $2,500 | $4,500 |
| Rewire one room (1–2 days) | $500 | $1,750 | $3,500 |
| Rewire a whole house (3–10+ days) | $7,500 | $14,000 | $24,500 |
Most electricians charge a minimum of about one hour or a $75–$200 service call, so the cheapest way to get small jobs done is to bundle them. Big jobs are quoted flat; ask what happens if the electrician finds old wiring behind the walls.
200A panel upgrade vs subpanel vs smart panel / load management
A 200A panel upgrade costs $1,500–$4,500, a subpanel $400–$1,750 and a smart panel $3,000–$9,500 installed. All three make room for an EV charger, heat pump or addition, but only the upgrade adds power from the utility; a load-management device ($400–$1,500) is the low-cost option when one new load is the problem.
| Factor | 200A panel upgrade | Subpanel | Smart panel / load management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $1,500–$4,500 | $400–$1,750 | $3,000–$9,500 for a smart panel; $400–$1,500 for a load-management device |
| Adds power from the utility | Yes — more amps into the house | No — splits the power you already have | No — manages the power you already have |
| Utility involvement | Usually a meter pull; sometimes new service wires | None | A meter pull for a smart panel (it replaces the main panel); none for a device |
| Time on site | About a day, plus any utility wait | Half a day to a day | About a day for a smart panel; a few hours for a device |
| Fixes an old or flagged panel | Yes | No | A smart panel does; a device doesn't |
| Permit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | 60–100A homes adding big loads, or any unsafe panel | A full panel with enough total capacity; garages and additions | Circuit-level control with solar or a battery, or one new load on a nearly full panel |
Start with a load calculation. If the house truly needs more power, upgrade the panel. If the panel is just out of spaces, a subpanel is cheaper. If one new load would push you over the line, a load-management device ($400–$1,500) can be the cheapest fix.
Electrician call-out fees and hourly rates
Most bills start with a $75–$200 service call, then $50–$130/hr or a flat price. Nights and weekends cost more.
| Fee or rate | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service call / trip fee | $75 | $125 | $200 |
| Standard hourly rate | $50 | $90 | $130 |
| After-hours hourly rate | $100 | $160 | $260 |
| Emergency call-out fee | $75 | $150 | $200 |
| Emergency visit, all-in (call-out + first hour) | $175 | $310 | $460 |
| Troubleshooting visit | $150 | $275 | $500 |
| Electrician day rate (8 × the hourly rate) | $400 | $720 | $1,050 |
| Flat-rate small job | $150 | $300 | $600 |
| Electrical permit, small job | $50 | $150 | $350 |
After-hours rates are usually 1.5 to 2 times the standard rate. Some shops credit the service call toward the job if you go ahead — ask before the visit.
What affects electrician costs
Who does the work
Apprentices bill about $40–$60/hr, journeymen $60–$90 and master electricians $90–$120 or more. Many jobs use a mix, and the quote should say who's on site.
The age of the house
Knob-and-tube (before the 1940s), aluminum branch wiring (about 1965–1973) and Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels add time and parts, and can turn a small job into a bigger one.
Permits and inspections
Panels, new circuits, EV chargers and rewires usually need a permit. Small-job permits run $50–$350; rewiring permits run $250–$900.
Your city
Electrician wages run from under $50,000 a year in parts of Texas and Arkansas to over $100,000 in Oregon and Chicago in federal data. That gap drives most of the price difference between cities: typical rates here run from $65/hr in El Paso to $155/hr in San Francisco.
Timing
Nights, weekends and holidays cost $100–$260/hr plus a $75–$200 call-out fee — about 1.5 to 2 times the weekday rate.
Panel capacity
A 100A panel can't carry an EV charger, heat pump and electric range together. A 200A upgrade costs $1,500–$4,500; a $400–$1,500 load-management device sometimes avoids it.
How to save on electrician
- Bundle small jobs.One $125 service call can cover several fixes. Write a list before the visit.
- Book weekdays.After-hours work costs $100–$260/hr against $90/hr standard. Wait unless it's unsafe.
- Get a load calculation before a panel upgrade.Some homes have room for an EV charger already, and a $400–$1,500 load-management device can close a small gap for less than a $1,500–$4,500 upgrade.
- Check utility and state rebates.The federal home-charger credit ended for chargers placed in service after June 30, 2026, and the 25C credit for panels installed with a qualifying heat pump, AC, furnace or water heater ended after 2025. Many utilities and states still pay — check yours.
- Supply your own fixtures.Most electricians will hang a fan or light you bought. Buy UL- or ETL-listed fixtures and confirm the install price first.
- Compare like for like.Two quotes should include the same permit, patching and cleanup. The cheaper one often leaves one out.
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Electrician cost in the USA by job size
Small fixes are $80–$450, mid-size jobs like a 240V circuit or EV charger $250–$2,700, and big jobs — a panel upgrade or a whole-house rewire — $1,500–$24,500.
Worked example: getting a 1960s house ready for an EV and a heat pump. A 200A panel upgrade at $2,500, a 240V circuit at $600, a Level 2 charger install at $1,700 and three GFCI outlets at $170 each comes to about $5,310.
An older house with original wiring: a whole-house rewire at $14,000, a panel upgrade at $2,500 and six hardwired smoke detectors at $200 each is about $17,700 before wall patching ($1,000–$6,000).
What a electrician quote should include
A real electrician's quote answers all of these. If it answers fewer than six, ask before you pay a deposit.
- The electrician's license number and proof of insurance
- A flat price, or the hourly rate plus the service call fee
- Exactly what's being installed — breaker sizes, wire, devices, fixture brand
- Who pulls the permit, and whether the fee is included
- How surprises inside the walls (old wiring, no ground) will be priced
- Wall patching, painting and cleanup — included or not
- Utility coordination for panel or meter work, and any utility fee
- Warranty on labor and parts
- The after-hours rate if the job runs late, and the payment schedule
Electrician cost: FAQ
How much does an electrician cost per hour?
$50–$130/hr for a licensed electrician in 2026, with $90/hr typical. Credible rates run from about $40/hr for apprentice-level work in low-cost areas to $260/hr for after-hours work in a premium market.
What is an electrician's service call fee?
$75–$200 in most places. It covers the trip and often the first part of the visit; some shops credit it toward the job.
How much does a 100A to 200A panel upgrade cost?
$1,500–$4,500, typically $2,500, including the panel, breakers and permit. Utility work on the meter or service wires can add more.
How much does it cost to install a Level 2 EV charger?
$1,000–$2,700 installed with a standard charger, typically $1,700, when the panel has room. A panel upgrade adds $1,500–$4,500.
How much does it cost to rewire a house?
$7,500–$24,500 for about 1,500–2,000 sq ft, or $500–$3,500 a room. Plaster walls and knob-and-tube push it to the top of the range.
How much does it cost to add an outlet?
$150–$350 for a new outlet with a new wire run; replacing an existing outlet is $80–$200, and a GFCI $90–$350.
How much is an emergency electrician?
$175–$460 for the call-out and first hour, then $100–$260/hr. Call for burning smells, sparks or no power; wait for a weekday for minor issues.
Do I need a permit for electrical work?
Usually, for anything beyond swapping a device: new circuits, panels, EV chargers, rewiring and service upgrades. Many places also require a licensed electrician to do that work. Your local building department has the final word.
Is there still a federal tax credit for EV chargers or panel upgrades?
No, for new work. The 30C home-charger credit ended for property placed in service after June 30, 2026, and the 25C credit (which covered panels of 200A or more installed with a qualifying heat pump, AC, furnace or water heater, up to $600) ended for improvements made after December 31, 2025. Check utility and state rebates instead.
What's the average electrician rate in 2026?
About $90/hr, the middle of the $50–$130/hr range national cost guides give. The median electrician wage in federal data rose about 1.3% a year from May 2023 to May 2025 ($61,590 to $63,190).
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