What electricians should charge in California.
Fair billed labor here runs about $57–$124/hour, about 18% above the median US state. Every number below comes from what electricians actually earn in California; the math is on this page, in the open.
How much should electricians charge in California?
In California, electricians earn $28.50–$49.52 per hour (median $36.62, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), about 18% above the median US state for this trade. A legitimate business bills 2–2.5× wages to cover payroll taxes, insurance, equipment, overhead and profit, so fair billed labor in California runs about $57–$124 per hour. For example, ceiling fan or fixture install is about $55–$375 in fair labor, before materials.
Fair price by job
Ceiling fan or fixture install
That assumes an existing, properly-rated box; new wiring or a new switch leg adds time.
Typical labor: 1–3 hours at $57–$124/hr billed.
Add a new outlet or switch
That assumes one new device fed from a nearby circuit with accessible framing or attic/crawl access.
Typical labor: 1–3 hours at $57–$124/hr billed.
Panel upgrade to 200A
That assumes a straightforward service upgrade; utility coordination and permit fees are added at cost.
Plus materials: panel, breakers and permit typically add several hundred dollars up, and the permit should appear on the bid.
Typical labor: 8–16 hours at $57–$124/hr billed.
Before you hire in California
Any job of $1,000 or more (labor and materials) requires a CSLB license. The lookup shows classification, bond, workers' comp and disciplinary actions — check all four.
How to verify a California license · how to get comparable bids · track your quotes side by side (free, no account).
Find electricians near you in California
Other fair price checks in California
Compare electricians rates across all states · all fair price checks