How Much Does an Electrician Cost? (2026)
By the Home Repair One data team · Updated July 2026 · Ranges from our estimator engine
Short answer: In 2026, an electrician charges about $50–$130 per hour, usually with a service-call minimum, or a flat rate by job. Small jobs like adding an outlet or switch run $150–$400; installing lighting runs $150–$900; an EV charger runs $500–$1,600; and a panel upgrade to 200-amp service runs $1,300–$3,000. Anything beyond swapping a fixture or device, new circuits, panels, EV chargers, rewiring, needs a permit and a licensed electrician, not a handyman. The biggest levers are whether new wiring must be run, panel capacity, and permit and inspection requirements.
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Electrician hourly rates in 2026
Electricians charge roughly $50–$130 per hour, with master electricians and emergency calls at the top. Most set a service-call minimum, and many quote flat prices by job once they've seen the work.
Small device work on an existing circuit is quick and cheap; the cost climbs when new wiring has to be pulled from the panel or the panel itself is at capacity.
Electrical prices by job
Here are 2026 national ranges for common electrical work, computed from our cost model. Run the estimator for a range tuned to your scope and ZIP.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Panel upgrade | $850–$4,650 |
| Outlets & switches | $150–$550 |
| Lighting install | $175–$975 |
| EV charger install | $400–$2,050 |
When you need a permit
Most work beyond swapping a fixture or device requires a permit and inspection, new circuits, panel upgrades, EV chargers, and rewiring. A licensed electrician pulls the permit as part of the job. Unpermitted electrical work can void insurance and fail at resale, so it's not the place to cut corners with an unlicensed handyman.
What changes your price
- Whether new wiring must be run from the panel or the circuit already exists.
- Panel capacity, a load calc, and sometimes a panel upgrade.
- GFCI/AFCI protection and other code requirements.
- Permit, inspection, and utility coordination on larger jobs.
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FAQ
How much does it cost to add an outlet?
Adding or replacing an outlet or switch on an existing circuit runs about $150–$400 with a service-call minimum. A long new run from the panel costs more.
How much is a panel upgrade?
Upgrading to 200-amp service runs $1,300–$3,000, more if the meter base and service entrance also need work. See our panel-upgrade guide for the full breakdown.
Can a handyman do electrical work?
Only minor, non-permitted swaps in many areas. New circuits, panels, EV chargers, and rewiring require a licensed electrician and a permit, both for safety and to keep insurance and resale clean.