Whether you’re adding an outlet or upgrading a panel, electrical work is one area where cutting corners isn’t worth it, but you should still know the going rate. Most electricians charge $50 to $130 per hour, and a typical service call runs $160 to $550 all-in. Larger jobs like a panel upgrade or whole-home rewire reach into the thousands.
This guide lays out hourly rates, common job prices, and what makes one electrical job cost more than another. Figures are typical national ranges that vary with your region, the age of your home’s wiring, and permit requirements. For exact pricing, browse the ServiceGoat Cost Guides or get matched with licensed local pros at the end of this page.
Electrician hourly rates
- Journeyman electrician: $50 to $100 per hour
- Master electrician: $90 to $130+ per hour
- Service / trip fee: $75 to $200, often credited toward the work
- Emergency or after-hours: commonly 1.5 to 2x the standard rate
Common electrical job prices
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Install or replace an outlet | $120 to $300 |
| Install a light fixture | $150 to $400 |
| Install a ceiling fan | $200 to $500 |
| Install a dedicated circuit | $250 to $900 |
| Install an EV charger | $500 to $2,200 |
| Electrical panel upgrade (200 amp) | $1,500 to $4,000 |
| Whole-home rewire | $8,000 to $20,000 |
| Standby generator install | $6,000 to $15,000 |
What drives the cost
- Job complexity: Swapping a fixture is quick; fishing new wire through finished walls is not.
- Home age and wiring: Older homes with knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring cost more to work on safely.
- Access: Open framing in a new build is cheaper than working behind drywall and insulation.
- Materials: Panels, breakers, EV chargers, and fixtures vary widely in price.
- Permits and inspection: Most electrical work requires both, adding $50 to $500.
- Licensing and region: Licensed electricians cost more than handymen, and for safety and code, they should.
Cost breakdown
For most residential electrical jobs, labor is 60 to 80% of the bill. The part, an outlet, a breaker, a fixture, is often inexpensive; you’re paying for licensed expertise, code compliance, and the safety of doing it right. On big jobs like a panel upgrade, materials and permit fees become a larger share, but skilled labor still dominates.
Example projects
Upgrading to a 200-amp panel
Older homes often outgrow their electrical capacity. A 200-amp panel upgrade typically costs $1,800 to $3,500, including the panel, labor, permit, and utility coordination, and it’s often a prerequisite for EV chargers or major additions.
Installing a Level 2 EV charger
If your panel has capacity and the run is short, expect $500 to $1,200. Longer wire runs or a needed subpanel can push it to $2,000+.
How to save on electrical work
- Bundle jobs into one visit to spread the trip fee across multiple tasks.
- Get three quotes from licensed electricians, and verify the license; it protects your home and insurance.
- Buy your own fixtures when allowed, but leave panels and breakers to the pro’s spec.
- Plan ahead during remodels, running wire before drywall goes up is far cheaper than after.
- Don’t DIY anything in the panel. The savings aren’t worth the fire and shock risk.
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More cost guides: ServiceGoat Cost Guides · HVAC Cost · Kitchen Remodel Cost
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