Professional electrician hourly rates range from $163 to $538, with a service call fee of $100 to $200 for the first hour.
Your electrician's experience level affects your costs, with apprentice electricians charging less than journeyperson or master electricians for your project.
You should budget for permits and safety inspections when rewiring a home, with permits ranging from $200 to $900 for older homes.
Hiring an electrician costs $350 on average, or between $163 to $538, depending on the location and electrician’s level of experience. Electrician hourly rates range from $50 to $130, with a service call fee of $100 to $200 for the first hour of their time.
The average cost to hire an electrician for a minor job is $150 to $600, while a more complex job costs $2,000 to $10,000. Let’s review how much it costs to hire a professional electrician to illuminate your home.
How Much Do Electricians Charge?
Hiring a qualified electrician costs $50 to $100per hour. 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.The total price is dependent on the home size, license type, and project complexity.
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.
Electrician Type
Experience
Average Hourly Rate
Apprentice Electrician
Training to become a licensed electrician
$40–$60
Journeyperson Electrician
Standard licensed electrician
$60–$90
Master Electrician
Highest level of electrician, specializing in complex projects
$90–$120
From one homeowner to another
This is a quality electrical company with very professional and well-trained technicians. They installed new switches, outlets and light fixtures in my 2nd floor, removing the knob and tube wiring and installing new grounded lines. I will be recommending them to all my friends and family.
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.
Guide to Electrical Switches, Outlets, and Fixtures
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.
According to data from Angi customers, 36.4% of electrical switch, outlet, and fixture jobs are emergencies, which require immediate service and repair. On the flip side, 63.6% of jobs are non-emergency work. If you need emergency electrical service, you’ll pay more in labor—sometimes double the standard hourly rate in your area.
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.
Hiring a local electrician averages between $163 and $538, 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.
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.
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:
DIY electrical work may save on labor costs, but mistakes can lead to fire hazards, code violations, and expensive repairs. Hiring a licensed electrician in your area ensures safe, compliant installations and reliable troubleshooting, while saving you time and stress.
Here’s why it’s ideal to hire an electrician
If you want safe, code-compliant work and peace of mind, a professional brings clear advantages:
Licensed electricians understand local codes and ensure that all work passes inspection.
Pros safely handle wiring, circuits, and high-voltage systems that pose shock or fire risks.
They bring specialized tools and diagnostic equipment to identify and resolve issues quickly.
Hiring a pro reduces liability and often includes warranties on both labor and parts.
Electricians can recommend upgrades (panel capacity, surge protection, smart systems) that DIYers might overlook.
If you want to DIY an electrical project
For homeowners comfortable with very basic tasks, some safe steps are achievable without a contractor:
Replace light bulbs, switch plates, or outlet covers
Install battery-powered smoke detectors or carbon monoxide alarms
Swap out simple fixtures like lamps or ceiling fans (with proper instructions and shut-off)
Reset breakers or replace fuses when circuits trip
How to Save on Electrician Costs
Although you can’t change the labor fees when hiring a local 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard three-prong electrical outlet typically lasts for about 15 years with normal use and should be replaced accordingly. GFCI outlets may have a longer lifespan of 15 to 25 years. While some outlets can last longer if used infrequently, they can also fail prematurely. Reasons for early failure include poor wiring, an overloaded circuit, improper grounding or installation, or loose plugs. Signs that an outlet is failing include flickering lights, overheating, a discolored or melted faceplate, plugs that fall out easily, or frequently tripping circuit breakers. It is essential to address faulty outlets promptly to avoid safety hazards, especially in homes older than 15 years.
Before hiring an electrician, check out the contractor’s official website, read reviews, and look them up on your local Department of Labor’s website. If you’re hiring for a complex job, pay special attention to their level of expertise. Also, call up pros directly to ask about their insurance status, specifically liability insurance, and request customer references.
Let them know exactly what type of job you need them to do, and be as specific as possible to get the most accurate estimate. A photo of your project might help them better understand your needs. Ask what kind of prep you should complete before they visit and what kind of cleanup to expect after the visit. Finally, ask how long the project usually takes.
Unless you’re a licensed electrician, you should not DIY any electrical work in your home. Working with wires and electricity is potentially dangerous to both you and the structure you’re working on, and it could lead to house fires or electric shock if you’re not 100% sure what you’re doing. There’s a big difference between changing a light switch cover and rewiring an entire home. If you’re staring down a potentially difficult electrical job, give a pro a call.
When dealing with electrical work, getting several projects done at once can save you time and money. If an electrician is coming to replace a circuit box, have them replace outlets or light fixtures, too. Adding light switches, outlets, and fixtures to any electrical project you have going on is the most common way to get home improvement projects done quicker.
Electrical services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.7★ avg. • 107 total reviews
Jeff B.
5.0
04/2026
Great company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
Regina H.
5.0
01/2024
I conferred with 2 other contractors before Armstrong Electric. Nick and his crew showed me that the project was not as convoluted as the other contractors made it appear to be. They completed the entire project on time. They were professional, friendly and cleaned up after at completion. I...
Jeffrey J.
4.0
02/2023
The techs on my project, Shawn and Cliff, were great. They were prompt, courteous, and efficient. I am very happy with the results and would definitely contact Mr. Electric for any future electrical projects.
William R.
5.0
06/2020
Victor was wonderful. He was on time, professional, and explained everything he was doing. He was thorough and figured out that the problem was electrical instead of with my HVAC system. Very knowledgeable. I will be using this company in the future for any HVAC needs. Thanks!
Jerald W.
5.0
09/2019
They were excellent. They did a great job. I was totally satisfied. They put tremendous effort in making sure the work was completed. They were great. They provided immediate response to any inquires I made. I would hire them again. I would recommend them to anyone who needs electrical work....
Paul H.
4.0
06/2017
Initially, the repairman could not find the problem. Apparently, there was some electrical shortage, but he could not find the definite problem. He left, but called back later to say he had a new idea. He returned and replaced the light switches on the doors. The refrigerator seemed to return...
Sarah C.
1.0
08/2016
The initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
Erin W.
5.0
07/2016
I have to tell you I am all about customer service - I will go out of my way and even pay more for it if you give me great customer service. <br> <br>In a world where this is hard to find, these guys were awesome! I can not sing their praises enough. They were prompt, personable, funny, got...
Bradley H.
1.0
08/2015
When I challenged the markup on the generator, Bruder Electric withdrew its bid. They only want naïve customers.
Gregory B.
5.0
01/2014
We had no power to any of the electrical outlets in the MBR. We'd had an intermittent problem for a few years and they finally went out all together. We live on the 3rd floor of a 100 year old building and I know from past experience the wiring has been added to in hodgepodge ways over the...
Tyler Lacoma has spent more than 10 years testing home technology and the latest tools to help keep readers current for their next project. His published work can be found on Family Handyman, U.S. News & World Report, and Digital Trends.
The homeowners guide to electrical services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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