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⚡ Cost GuideNational mean hourly wage for electricians (BLS SOC 47-2111) is $34.40/hour. After the standard NAHB 2.4× contractor markup, homeowners pay roughly $83/hour for a service call. Here's the project-by-project breakdown — and below it, the same job priced for every major US metro.
| Project | Time | Typical cost | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard service call (diagnosis + minor repair) | 1–2 hours | $174 | $143 – $209 |
| Add a new outlet (15–20 amp, dedicated) | 1–3 hours | $200 | $164 – $240 |
| Ceiling fan install (existing wiring) | 1–2 hours | $190 | $156 – $228 |
| Panel upgrade (100A → 200A, includes permit) | 1 day | $1,926 | $1,579 – $2,311 |
| Level 2 EV charger install (50A circuit, hardwired) | 4–6 hours | $763 | $625 – $915 |
| Single room rewire (avg ~3 outlets + 1 fixture) | 1 day | $715 | $587 – $858 |
| Whole-house rewire (1500–2000 sq ft) | 5–10 days | $6,628 | $5,435 – $7,954 |
A licensed electrician handles anything attached to the breaker panel or carrying line voltage (120V/240V). A standard residential service call begins with the panel: the electrician verifies the main breaker rating, looks for double-tapped breakers, checks for AFCI/GFCI compliance in the right rooms, and tests for proper grounding at the service drop. Outlet, switch, and fixture work is straightforward. Panel upgrades, sub-panel adds, EV-charger installs, and whole-house rewires require a permit, a load calculation (NEC Article 220), and an inspection by the local AHJ before the panel is energized.
Cost-of-living variance is the single biggest factor in trade pricing. The same job in Hawaii or California can run 30–50% more than in Mississippi or Oklahoma. Pick your city below to see your localized rate.
Cash-only quotes, "I can do it without a permit so it's cheaper," and any pressure to upsize a panel without a written load calculation explaining why.