How Much Does Aboveground Pool Electrical Installation Cost? [2026 Guide]

Installing an aboveground pool can be an easier and more affordable alternative to an in-ground pool. But before you undertake this project, it’s important to understand the cost of running electricity to your new pool to operate its pump.

If you have a standard-sized pool that’s close to your house, you could pay as little as $350 for electric installation. On the other hand, if your pool is far from the house, you could pay $4,000 or more to account for the additional trenching and materials.

Aboveground Pool Electrical Install Cost Breakdown

The main factors that affect the cost of aboveground pool electricity installation include your breaker panel capacity, underground wiring installation, bonding, grounding of your pool, and the upgrade costs for a poolside electrical panel.

Location

If your filter and equipment are located far away from the pool itself, this impacts the overall cost of an electric installation. Why is that? First of all, your builder will use a longer pipe to make all of the necessary connections, and these materials add up. The installation is also more complex in these scenarios, taking more labor time and materials. 

Depending on the additional distance between the pool and associated components, installation prices increase from $500 to $1,500. Talk with your pro about ways to alleviate this added cost, including shifting the design to accommodate the layout of your property. 

Breaker Panel Capacity

Whether or not your existing breaker panel has the capacity to handle adding on your aboveground pool’s electrical needs depends on the size of your pool. Smaller pools won’t draw as much electricity as larger ones.

Assuming a standard-sized pool, you can expect to pay $150 to $250 to run electricity out toward the pool. 

If you have a larger pool and your breaker panel cannot handle the additional load, you’ll require a sub-panel separate from your main breaker panel. The cost of a sub panel, including its installation, is generally $350 to $550.

Underground Wiring Installation

To get electricity from your panel to your pool, your electrician needs to run wire and conduit underground. This process has two parts: digging a trench and running the cable.

In most cases, your electrician will not dig a trench. The electrician can contract out this service, or you can find your own contractor. The average cost to dig a trench is $8 per linear foot. This means that if your pool is 50 linear feet from your breaker panel, you’ll pay about $400 for the trenching part of the project.

To run electrical wire and its protective conduit, you can expect an electrician to charge $12 to $17 per linear foot. Using the same 50-linear-foot example above, running wire will cost $600 to $850.

After the pro runs the pool’s electric wiring, they must backfill your trench, or cover it back up. It costs as little as $1.60 per linear foot, with a national average of $4.50 per linear foot.

Pool Bonding and Grounding

Pool bonding and grounding are important steps in running electricity to an aboveground pool. These processes help prevent electrical shock and give electricity a safe way to the ground in the event it escapes your system.

Assuming your electrician creates four to six bonding points and installs two grounding rods, you can expect this portion of the installation project to cost $200 to $300.

Poolside Electrical Panel

Running electricity from your home to your pool culminates at a poolside electrical panel. As this panel could be exposed to water, it will include GFCI protection to prevent electrical shock.

The cost of a poolside electrical panel, its installation, and the installation of your pool pump and optional pool heater typically runs from $250 to $500.

Labor

This is a job that demands specific experience, so hire a pro who is familiar with electric-based pool installations and is familiar with the various components, such as the GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter). Most professional electricians charge an hourly rate instead of a per-project rate, so look to pay $50 to $100 per hour.  

Setting up pool-related electrical components takes eight to 20 hours of work, depending on job complexity, translating to a cost of $400 to $2,000 for labor. These costs typically represent around 50% of the overall price, as master electricians charge more than apprentice and journeyperson electricians. 

Permits

You aren’t getting this done without a permit or two. Many parts of the country require both a pool-building permit and an electrical pool permit to proceed with the installation. Your pro handles the specifics, but the price gets added to the total cost of the project. These costs vary depending on where you live but count on paying $100 to $300 for a swimming pool building permit and $50 to $350 for an electrical pool permit. All told, that adds up to $150 to $650 just to get started. 

Additionally, some areas require post-job pool inspections and electric installations. The cost of a pool inspection ranges from $125 to $250, depending on the rules and regulations in your area. 

Why You Should Hire an Electrician

Electricity and water are a dangerous combination—and if you don't have experience with this type of work, you could electrocute yourself or damage your property. That’s why it’s essential to hire a local electrician to install any electrical elements in your aboveground pool.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire an electrician

There are many reasons to hire a pro for aboveground pool electrical installation, including: 

• Many jurisdictions require a license to perform electrical work.

• Electricians have the skills and knowledge to install pool electrical components safely, so you can use your pool without the risk of shocking yourself or starting a fire.

• Professionals know how to follow local and national guidelines (including the National Electrical Code or NEC) and pull the right permits to keep your electrical work up to code.

• Pros bring the equipment and tools needed for pool electrical installation.

• They work more quickly and efficiently than inexperienced DIYers.

• Reputable pros offer warranties on their work and carry insurance, which protects you (and them) if there are issues with the installation.

How to Save Money on Electrical Installation for an Aboveground Pool

If you’re dreaming of lazy days spent in your new aboveground pool, first you’ll need to budget for this project. However, there are ways you can save on electrical installation costs to make this home improvement project more affordable. 

Purchase Equipment During the Off-Season

Swimming pool season coincides with warm weather, so if you can wait until the cooler months roll in, you may be able to score a discount on some of your pool accessories, including the pool pump.

Minimize the Pool’s Distance From Your Home

As trench diggers and electricians charge by linear foot to install underground electrical wire, the closer you can position your pool to your home, the less you’ll pay in material and labor.

Dig Your Own Trench

Depending on the length of the trench you need to run electricity from your home to your pool, it may make sense to dig your own trench. To adhere to building codes, trenches must be 18 inches deep, assuming you place your underground wiring in an area where cars will not drive over it.

Digging an 18-inch-deep trench by hand is no easy task. For longer distances, you should rent a micro-trencher at the cost of about $125 per day. 

Again depending on the length of your trench, backfilling it yourself may also be an option. Should you decide to take on this job, remember that you’ll need to place burial tape six inches from the surface of the ground. This tape (should) protect anyone who may dig over the wire in the future; they’ll hit the tape before they reach the wire.

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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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. 

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