Cost guide · Updated Aug 9, 2026
Electrician cost in Los Angeles in 2026
Los Angeles electricians run $110 to $200 per hour in 2026 — median around $145. A 200A panel upgrade lands $2,800 to $6,500 all-in, and if your house still has a Zinsco or Federal Pacific panel, that upgrade is a safety issue rather than a capacity one.
Typical range
$110 – $200 / hr
~$145/hr · 200A panel upgrade $2,800 – $6,500 all-in
By scope
| Scope | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $95 – $225 | Often credited toward the work |
| Outlet, switch, or fixture replacement | $140 – $300 per device | |
| New dedicated circuit | $450 – $1,200 | |
| 200A panel upgrade | $2,800 – $6,500 | Includes permit, inspection, utility coordination |
| EV charger install (Level 2) | $900 – $2,800 |
What swings the price
- Obsolete Zinsco and Federal Pacific panels, which are replacement rather than repair candidates.
- Utility coordination for the service disconnect and reconnect, which can add a return visit.
- Permit and inspection, required for panel work and new circuits.
- Hillside and crawl-space access, which slows every wire pull.
- Overhead versus underground service, which changes the mast and weatherhead work.
Los Angeles specifics
Southern California got a lot of Zinsco and Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels during the post-war building boom, and both have documented failure modes where breakers do not trip under fault. Replacement parts are not made, insurers increasingly refuse to write policies on them, and an electrician who finds one will recommend a full panel replacement rather than adding a circuit. If your house is from the 1950s through the 1970s and nobody has looked, that is the first thing to check.
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FAQs
How much does an electrician cost per hour in Los Angeles?
$110–$200/hr, median around $145, with a service-call fee of $95–$225 that is usually credited toward the work if you proceed.
Why do Zinsco and Federal Pacific panels need replacing?
Both have documented failure modes where breakers can fail to trip during a fault, which defeats the entire purpose of the panel. Parts are no longer manufactured, and many insurers will not write a policy on a home with one. Replacement runs $2,800–$6,500 with permit and utility coordination.
What does an EV charger install cost in LA?
$900–$2,800 for a Level 2 charger, depending on distance from the panel and whether the existing service has capacity. If the panel is already near its limit, a load calculation may avoid a full upgrade by using a load management device instead.
Do I need a permit for electrical work in Los Angeles?
Yes for panel work, new circuits, and any rewiring. Like-for-like device replacement is exempt. Permitted work gets inspected, which is what keeps it insurable and what a buyer's inspector will look for at sale.
How do I verify an LA electrician is licensed?
Ask for the CSLB license number with a C-10 electrical classification and check it on the state board site. It shows status, bond, and any disciplinary history. Anyone quoting panel work without a C-10 license should not be doing panel work.
Sources
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Prices refresh quarterly. Last review: Aug 9, 2026.