Summary
- Typical planning ranges are $75–150/hour (US) or £40–90/hour (UK).
- Emergency charges and minimum call-outs can outweigh the labour time.
- Check licensing or competence, permits and inspection before work starts.
- Compare written totals rather than hourly rates alone.
What does an electrician cost in 2026?
As a broad planning range, a licensed electrician may charge $75–150 per hour in the US, while a UK electrician might charge £40–90 per hour. Location, scope, qualifications and travel affect the rate. Many small jobs have a minimum call-out charge; emergency work is usually more expensive. Treat these as illustrative estimates, not published rates for every area.
Figures vary substantially with wiring condition, location and what is included. US quotes may exclude sales tax where applicable; UK consumer quotes should state whether VAT is included. A new circuit or a charger may require permits, approvals or an electrical-panel/consumer-unit upgrade, raising the total.
What changes the price?
Check credentials before booking
In the US, confirm the contractor holds the licence required by your state or local authority, carries suitable insurance and will arrange permits where needed. In the UK, ask for evidence of competence for the work; for notifiable domestic work in England and Wales, check whether the installer is registered with a competent person scheme or whether building-control notification is arranged. Rules differ across UK nations. Do not work on fixed wiring yourself unless you are competent and permitted to do so.
Get a useful quote
Describe the fault or installation, share photos if safe, and request an itemised price showing labour, materials, travel, permits, testing, tax and any call-out minimum. For large jobs, compare two or three written quotes on the same scope. Ask who will perform the work, what certificate or inspection record you will receive, and whether making good walls is included.
If you smell burning, see sparks or suspect a live hazard, move away and seek emergency help rather than treating it as a routine price comparison.
Bottom line
Budget around $75–150/hour in the US or £40–90/hour in the UK for standard work, but compare complete written quotes. Credentials, permits and testing matter as much as the headline rate.