Electricians charge $50–$130 per hour for labor in 2026, plus a $75–$175 service-call fee on most jobs. Common work — adding outlets, replacing fixtures, fixing a tripped breaker — lands between $150 and $600 once parts are in. Larger projects like panel upgrades and EV charger installs run $1,300–$3,500. This guide breaks down what to expect by job type, what drives the price, and where DIY is reasonable versus a hard pass.
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $75–$175 |
| Outlet or switch install | $120–$250 |
| Light fixture replacement | $100–$300 |
| Ceiling fan install | $150–$400 |
| Circuit breaker repair / replace | $150–$400 |
| Add a new dedicated circuit | $300–$900 |
| Panel upgrade (100 → 200 amp) | $1,500–$3,500 |
| EV charger install (Level 2) | $800–$2,200 |
| Whole-home rewire (1,500 sq ft) | $8,000–$20,000 |
Hourly rates vary widely by region and license level (apprentice, journeyman, master). Emergency and after-hours work typically adds $100–$200 to any job. Permits, when required, run $50–$300.
Swapping a switch is a 30-minute job. Running a new circuit through finished walls is a half-day. A panel upgrade is a full day for two electricians plus a utility shutoff. Pricing scales with the labor hours and the complexity of the work, not the size of the part.
An apprentice supervised by a journeyman bills less than a master electrician. For complex work — service-entrance changes, anything touching the meter, or anything subject to inspection — you want a licensed master or journeyman, even at a higher hourly rate.
An exposed basement or attic is cheap to wire. Running a circuit through finished walls means cutting and patching drywall — that adds $200–$600 in labor plus a drywall repair pass. Fishing wire through old plaster is the worst case.
Most municipal codes require a permit for new circuits, panel work, and service changes. Permit fees ($50–$300) are usually passed through. Inspection is a separate visit — the electrician schedules it, but the timing can extend the job by a few days.
A standard duplex outlet is $2 retail; a tamper-resistant GFCI/AFCI is $20+. A basic 200-amp panel is $300; a smart panel is $1,500+. Premium fixtures, smart switches, and surge-protection devices each push the materials line item up — usually a small share of total cost on small jobs but meaningful on remodels.
High-cost metros (NYC, SF, Boston, Seattle) run $130–$200/hr for licensed electricians. Mid-size cities are $90–$130/hr. Rural and smaller markets run $50–$90/hr. Storm seasons and post-hurricane periods can push availability and pricing up sharply for weeks at a time.
High-cost metros
$130–$200/hour
New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston
Mid-size cities
$90–$130/hour
Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta
Smaller cities & rural
$50–$90/hour
Rural Midwest, rural South, smaller towns
Regional ranges are approximate and vary by city, neighborhood, and individual contractor.
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For replacing a like-for-like fixture or outlet on an existing circuit, many homeowners do it themselves — it's legal in most jurisdictions if done to code. But anything that touches the panel, adds a circuit, or requires a permit needs a licensed electrician. Insurance companies routinely deny claims tied to unpermitted electrical work, and resale inspections will flag it.
$1,500–$3,500 for most homes, with the typical job at $2,200. The price covers the new panel, new service-entrance cable, meter base, breakers, permit, and the utility-coordination shutoff. Long meter-to-panel runs, finished basements, or load-calc surprises can push the high end past $4,000.
Two reasons: time and risk. Panel work means killing the main service to the house, removing live wires under utility supervision, and installing a new panel that has to pass inspection before the power goes back on. It's typically two electricians for a full day. A fixture install is 30 minutes by one electrician, with no shutoff and no inspector.
Most do — usually $75–$175. It covers the trip and the time to diagnose. Some shops waive it if you hire them for the repair; some apply it to the bill; some just keep it. Ask up front. For an emergency call (no power, smell of burning), the service-call fee is non-negotiable and you'll pay it regardless.
Common signs: breakers tripping repeatedly under normal load, an old fuse box, a panel under 100 amps, no room for new circuits, scorch marks or buzzing at the panel, or you're adding heavy loads (EV charger, heat pump, hot tub). A licensed electrician can run a load calc and tell you whether a 200-amp service is overdue.
Most homeowners shouldn't. A Level 2 charger is a 240V dedicated circuit with a 30–60 amp breaker — that's panel work, plus running the right wire size, plus a permit and inspection in nearly every jurisdiction. Botched installs are a common cause of garage fires. Pay the $800–$2,200 once and have it done right.
Three is the standard for any project over $1,000. Make sure each quote specifies the panel brand and amperage, breakers included, permit responsibility, scheduling around the utility shutoff, drywall repair, and warranty terms. Lowest price isn't always best — confirm the electrician is licensed, bonded, and insured before signing.
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