How Much Does an Electrician Cost to Hire?
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An electrician can help homeowners safely fix minor or major electrical issues, but how much does an electrician cost? Homeowners can hire an electrician for about $162 to $535, or about $346 on average.
Highlights
- The typical cost to hire an electrician is between $162 and $535, with homeowners paying an average of $346.
- The exact cost of hiring an electrician will depend on the type of project, the experience level of the electrician, and the geographic location of the home.
- A homeowner may need to hire an electrician if they notice flickering lights, inconsistent power, or unusual smells or sparks; if the home’s wiring is outdated or it has too few outlets; if the breaker trips frequently; or if residents have experienced electric shocks.
- While a homeowner may want to save money by DIYing their electrical projects, it’s not recommended, since it can be dangerous work. For that reason, it’s best to hire an electrician for any electrical work in the home.
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Electrical systems provide power to the entire home for heating, cooling, lighting, cooking, storing food, and taking care of numerous other tasks, but when there is a problem with the electrical service, the homeowner will typically need to hire a professional electrician with the appropriate experience level and skill level to troubleshoot and address the issue.
Minor problems, like ceiling fan or light fixture installation, don’t require as much time or material to complete, leading to a lower labor cost and base cost for the work. However, the level of difficulty can affect the average cost of the project, so for more involved jobs, like an electrical service panel upgrade or generator installation, homeowners should anticipate higher typical costs. According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, hiring an electrician will cost about $162 to $535, with an average cost of about $346. Homeowners can use this guide to get a better idea of the factors that can impact the average prices for electrical work and find the answer to the question “How much does an electrician cost?”
Factors in Calculating Electrician Cost
It’s a good idea for a homeowner to ask how much an electrician costs before agreeing to an inspection, repair, or installation appointment. There are many factors that can affect the cost of an electrical repair or upgrade, so before hiring a local electrician, homeowners are advised to learn more about these cost factors. This knowledge can help consumers put together a project budget and make them more aware of potential hidden costs, such as service call fees and emergency rates.
Project Type
A primary cost factor for homeowners to consider is the type of project that the electrician will be working on. Simple projects, like house fan installation and lighting installation, will typically cost less than more complicated jobs, like electrical panel installation and repairs to a bad circuit breaker switch. Additionally, the longer a job takes, the higher the cost based on the installation labor rates.
Given that average electrician costs range from about $162 to $535, homeowners with more complex electrical issues will want to be prepared for a bill that falls on the higher end of the price range. Depending on the project type, the cost may greatly exceed $535, such as if the entire home needs to be rewired or all the light fixtures in the house need to be replaced.
| Project Type | Average Cost |
| Breaker box installation or repairs | $500 to $1,800 |
| Ceiling fan installation or repairs | $140 to $350 |
| Home inspection | $280 to $400 |
| Light fixture installation or repairs | $150 to $6,000 |
| Light switch installation or repairs | $85 to $200 |
| Outlet installation or repairs | $200 to $300 |
| Smart-fixture installation or repairs | $200 to $300 |
| Transfer switch installation or repairs | $200 to $400 |
| Whole-house rewiring | $1,500 to $10,000 |
Electrician Experience Level
Professional tradespeople, including electricians, have a range of experience depending on the length of time they have been in the position, the variety of systems they have worked on, and the skills they have acquired over the years. As an electrician becomes more experienced, they can fulfill specific tasks to increase their official experience level from apprentice to journeyperson to master electrician. Their experience can determine their rate, as shown in the following table.
| Experience Level | Average First-Hour Rate | Average Hourly Rate |
| Apprentice | $65+ | $40 |
| Journeyperson | $65+ | $55 |
| Master | $150+ | $100 |
- Apprentice electricians are the least experienced. As such, the cost per hour for an apprentice electrician is lower than what a homeowner would pay for a journeyperson or master electrician. Apprentice electricians typically need to spend about 4 years working under a master electrician before they are eligible to take the test for journeyperson certification.
- Journeyperson electricians are the most common workers to encounter. These individuals can work without supervision and come at a slightly higher hourly rate than apprentice electricians. Journeyperson electricians must complete an additional 4,000 hours or work experience over about 2 years, then pass the master electrician exam to move to the final experience tier.
- Master electricians have put in the time and effort to become true masters of the craft. These professionals charge the most for their service but come with over 6 years of hands-on training and knowledge, so homeowners can feel confident knowing the electrical system is being repaired, updated, or otherwise maintained by a highly experienced individual.
Geographic Location
Electricians, like most professions, tend to make more when there is a higher demand for their services. This means that an electrician living in a sparsely populated rural location will typically charge a lower hourly rate than an electrician who is living in a densely populated urban area. This is because there is likely to be a higher demand for electrical repairs and upgrades in an area with more people per square mile.
However, homeowners will want to note that rural electricians may charge a travel fee if they need to drive a significant distance outside of the company’s service area. So, even if the hourly rate is lower, the homeowner in the rural community could still end up paying more than the homeowner in the urban community. To ensure homeowners get the best price for the job, it’s recommended that they research and obtain quotes from at least three reputable companies in the area.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Beyond the project type, contractor experience level, and geographic location, there are several additional cost factors that homeowners will want to consider before hiring an electrician. These include the cost of permits, inspection fees, minimum service fees, emergency response fees, and the potential difference in electrician costs between residential and commercial properties.
Permits and Inspections
Most minor electrical repairs or upgrades won’t require a permit and won’t need to be inspected after the completion of the project. However, more complex electrical projects need to meet specific standards for safety, which means that the electrician may need to get a permit for the work and that a safety inspection may also be required to ensure that the job was completed to code.
The cost of a building permit varies depending on the geographic location and the specific work, but on average it will cost about $75 to $150 per permit. Safety inspections are relatively inexpensive, ranging from just $100 to $125. If the entire home is getting rewired, then permits may cost as much as $200 to $900. Homeowners will want to speak to their electrician to determine if they need to pay for the permits up front or if the fee for the permits will be added to the total cost of the work.
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Callout and Minimum Fees
In many cases, the homeowner isn’t exactly sure what needs to be done to install a new electrical component or resolve an issue with the existing electrical system. In these situations, an electrician will head out to the home for a diagnostic service call, which typically costs between $50 and $100 per hour, though the first hour may cost as much as $150. Additionally, the electrician may charge between $25 and $75 for parts and callout fees.
Homeowners will want to keep in mind that an electrician will charge for the full first hour, even if the job takes only 15 or 30 minutes to complete. This is considered the minimum rate for an electrician to drive to the site, diagnose the problem, and resolve the issue. The more repeat visits, the higher the overall cost, so it’s best for homeowners to plan on working on as many electrical jobs as possible in one visit.
Emergency Repairs
If the power to the air conditioner fails in the middle of a heat wave or the furnace stops working in the dead of winter, the homeowner will need to contact an electrician to troubleshoot the problem and make the necessary repairs. Unfortunately, emergency repairs will typically come with an increased hourly rate and may also have an emergency fee tacked on to the final cost.
Most electricians will charge about $40 to $100 per hour, depending on the level of experience. However, this rate is often doubled when the electrician is responding to an emergency. The electrician may also charge an additional $100 to $200 emergency fee if an important component fails and needs to be fixed in a short period of time.
Residential vs. Commercial
Another factor for homeowners to keep in mind when identifying any additional costs is whether the work will be completed at a residential property or a commercial property.
- Residential properties typically have smaller electrical systems with less wiring as well as fewer fixtures and outlets. However, some homes may have more appliances than a commercial property, depending on the type of business conducted at the commercial location.
- Commercial properties may have a higher number of 240-volt connections and a larger electrical box that is better suited to a property with a high electrical demand. When it comes to cost, electricians will typically charge about 25 percent more when dealing with a commercial property because these repairs and upgrades tend to take more time and the components may cost more than those used in residential homes.
Electrician Cost by Type of Project
There are many electrical components in the average residential home that need proper wiring and connections to ensure the ongoing safety and functionality of the electrical system. With this in mind, it will come as no surprise to homeowners that the price ranges can vary depending on the type of project. For instance, costs for 2-slot outlet receptacles may be less than ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet costs. Similarly, average ceiling fan repairs are significantly more affordable than circuit breaker box repairs or breaker box installation. The average cost for the most common electrical projects are as follows.
| Type of Project | Average Cost |
| Attic fan installation | $400 to $900 |
| Bathroom fan installation | $250 to $500 |
| Ceiling fan installation | $250 to $600 |
| Ceiling light installation | $90 to $230 per fixture |
| Circuit breaker box replacement | $1,150 |
| Electrical breaker replacement | $100 to $160 |
| Electrical panel upgrading | $550 to $2,000 |
| Electric vehicle charging station installation | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Generator repairs | $250 |
| Generator services | $1,400 to $8,100 |
| Home inspection | $280 to $400 |
| Light switch replacement | $85 to $200 |
| Outdoor light installation | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Outlet installation | $200 per outlet |
| Recessed light installation | $150 to $230 per fixture |
| Rough-in electrical installation | $180 per hour for two pros |
| Smart-home appliance installation | $200 to $1,700 |
| Specialized light fixture installation | $150 to $900 per fixture |
| Track light installation | $100 to $250 |
| Transfer switch installation | $200 to $400 |
| Whole-house rewiring | $1,500 to $10,000 |
Attic Fan Installation
Attic fans are used to reduce the buildup of heat in the home by forcing hot air out of the home and replacing it with cool air from outside. The average attic fan installation will cost about $400 to $900. However, it’s important for homeowners to note that this cost includes the actual price of the fan, which will generally range from about $80 to $400. If the homeowner opts for a premium product, the installation may exceed this price range.
Bathroom Fan Installation
As with attic fan installation, electricians can also install bathroom fans to provide adequate airflow and ventilation to enclosed bathrooms. The type of fan, style of the product, fan size, and installation method can vary, leading to a wide cost range for this project. Homeowners can expect to spend about $250 to $500 on the cost to install a bathroom fan. They’ll want to keep in mind that replacing a bathroom fan will typically cost less than installing a new bathroom fan because the contractor won’t need to run new ventilation ducts.
Ceiling Fan Installation
One of the more common electrical upgrade projects is ceiling fan installation. A ceiling fan can be installed in the living room, kitchen, dining room, or even the bedroom to help facilitate improved airflow through the home. An electrician will be able to run the wiring, install the ceiling fan fixture, and verify that the switch is connected properly to ensure that the ceiling fan installation was a success. However, ceiling fan installation costs about $250 on average, with complex installation sometimes exceeding $600.
Circuit Breaker Box Replacement
The circuit breaker box is the primary source of electricity for the entire home. The municipal service connects directly to the breaker box, where the incoming power is then divided into individual circuits, which each serve different appliances or areas of the home.
Most of the circuits are intended for 120-volt appliances or components, though homes will typically also have at least one or two 240-volt circuits to operate heavy-duty appliances, like clothes dryers, air conditioners, and ovens. If the circuit breaker box needs replacement, it will cost about $1,150 on average, depending on the type of box, the overall amperage, and the complexity of the project.
Electrical work is no DIY job
Get free, no-commitment project estimates from electricians near you.
Electrical Breaker Replacement
An electrical breaker is essentially a switch that is designed to detect the flow of electricity and automatically turn off in the case of a short or an electrical overload. After determining the cause of the problem, like having too many high-voltage devices plugged into the same outlet, the homeowner can flip the circuit breaker switch to restore power to the electrical circuits. Replacing circuit breakers will typically cost about $100 to $160, including about $30 to $60 per breaker.
Electrical Panel Upgrading
When it comes time to upgrade the electrical panel or circuit breaker panel for the home, an electrician may charge as much as $4,000 depending on the extent of the upgrade and the wiring required to complete the job. However, in most cases, an electrical panel upgrade costs between $550 and $2,000. This is still a significant cost, so if the electrical panel in the home is more than 25 years old, then homeowners are advised to start saving for this upgrade.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installation
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular as the power and efficiency of these vehicles continues to improve. With this in mind, many people are showing significant interest in making the switch from gas or diesel vehicles to electrical vehicles. However, one factor that can prevent an individual from investing in an electrical vehicle is the cost of a home charger installation. Depending on the type of charger, electricians will typically charge