How Much Does an Electrician Cost to Hire? [2024 Data]

How Much Do Electricians Charge?

Hiring a qualified pro costs $50 to $100 per hour, with most common electrical tasks costing between $163 and $535. 

The first hour of an electrical job costs more than subsequent hours, about $150 on average. Hiring an electrician for an emergency visit tends to double the hourly rate, so you could pay between $100 and $200 for a fast fix. The total price is dependent on the home size, license type and project complexity. 

Electrician Cost per Hour by Experience 

Like many trades, electricians have different levels of skill based on their training and experience. Less-experienced electricians may be more limited in the types of electrical jobs they can take, but they cost less to hire. On the flip side, the most experienced and highly trained electricians are masters. While their hourly costs are the highest, they’re the best suited for difficult or labor-intensive electrical work. 

Self-Employed Electrician vs. Corporate Costs

As you scout out local electricians, you’ll notice that some appear to be self-employed, while others work for larger companies or franchises. Does that mean there’s a cost difference between the two?

Regional pricing and local competition often keep prices relatively similar. However, there can be individual variances, which is why we suggest getting a few quotes for larger projects to understand the price ranges in your area.

You can expect a greater range for self-employed services and more standardized pricing for the big franchises. 

When looking for an electrician, always check that they have proof of licensing and insurance. If an electrician’s rates seem strangely low, there’s a chance they are operating without the required documentation or training.

Hourly Minimums 

Electricians charge an hourly minimum, even if the job takes 30 minutes or less, to cover overhead fees (think insurance, supplies, travel time, etc.). This required minimum varies depending on the electrician, but you can count on paying anywhere from one to four hours’ worth of labor no matter how much time the job takes. This is why it’s always a good idea to wrap as many electrical jobs as possible into one visit. 

Emergencies

Electricians typically add an additional fee of $100 to $200 on top of their regular rates for emergency call-outs during nights and weekends. True electrical emergencies include burning smells from outlets or appliances, a hot electrical panel, and frequent power outages. 

Location 

Hiring an electrician in a big city is more expensive than hiring one in a rural area. Urban electricians usually charge $100 or more per hour, while rural electricians charge around $50 per hour, though this varies from pro to pro and area to area. Though rural electricians usually charge less per hour, you’ll often pay an increased fee to factor in travel time. 

Accessibility

You can expect to pay more in labor fees if the electrical panel, wiring, or light fixture is in a hard-to-reach spot. Thus, you can expect the project to take longer to complete. 

Cost to Hire an Electrician per Task

Hiring a local electrician averages between $163 and $535, though your bill largely depends on the type of job, the length of the job, and the overall complexity of the work. Here are the typical costs of many common jobs that require a professional electrician. 

Outlets and Switches Costs

• Installing outlet: $200–$300

• Installing light switch: $100–$200

• Installing outdoor outlet: $150–$260

Lighting Costs

• Installing a light fixture: $155–$955

Attic and Ceiling Fan Costs

• Installing a ceiling fan: $140–$350

• Installing an attic fan: $370–$915

Wiring a House Costs

• Rewiring a house: $1,500–$10,000

• Home inspection: $300–$420

Electrical Panel/Breaker Box Costs

• Replacing a breaker panel: $520–$2,120

• Moving an electrical panel: $1,500–$4,000

• Upgrading an electrical panel: $1,200–$2,000

Generator Installation Costs

• Installing a whole-house generator: $1,540–$8,740

• Installing generator transfer switch: $400–$2,500

Smart House Costs

• Installing home automation: $200–$1,660

Permits, Inspections, and Safety Codes

Minor electrical jobs, such as replacing a light switch, won’t require a permit or inspections, but more complex undertakings likely need both. For instance, rewiring a home often requires permits and safety inspections to avoid fire risks and other potential dangers. The cost of a building permit (which includes electrical work) depends on your location, but you may pay between $75 and $150 per permit. A safety inspection costs $100 to $125. If you’re rewiring an old home, permits are more expensive at $200 to $900. 

11 Signs You Need an Electrician 

Some telltale signs around your home might indicate that you need an electrician. If you experience any of these issues, it’s time to call in an electrician:

• Flickering lights

• Blown fuses

• Burning smell coming from an outlet

• Buzzing or sizzling noises coming from an outlet 

• Circuit breaker continually trips

• 2-prong instead of 3-prong outlets

• Appliances spark when plugged in

• Outlet feels hot to the touch

• Using too many extension cords

• Higher than average electric bill

• Old home that can’t handle the electrical load

How to Save on Electrician Costs

Although you can’t change the labor fees when hiring an electrician, there are other ways you can save on your project, including:

• Have a licensed inspector regularly check your circuits, outlets, electrical box, cables, wires, and surge protectors to ensure they’re in good working order.

• Hire a journeyperson instead of a master electrician when possible. 

• Clean up the area around the electrical panel and label all of the circuits to save time.

• Shop around and purchase fixtures, lights, outlets, and switches at the best price. 

• Bundle several small electrical projects and hire an electrician to tackle all of them at once. 

• Get at least 3 quotes from licensed electricians in your area.

• Don’t overload your circuits with too many devices and appliances. 

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 30,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.