Cost guide · Updated Aug 9, 2026

Electrician cost in Philadelphia in 2026

Philadelphia electricians run $100 to $185 per hour in 2026 — median around $135. A 200A service upgrade lands $2,400 to $5,500, and the city handles electrical inspection differently from almost anywhere else, which affects both the schedule and the paperwork.

Typical range

$100 – $185 / hr

~$135/hr · 200A service upgrade $2,400 – $5,500 all-in

By scope

Scope	Price	Notes
Service call / diagnostic	$85 – $195	Often credited toward the work
Outlet, switch, or fixture replacement	$130 – $280 per device
New dedicated circuit	$450 – $1,200
200A service upgrade	$2,400 – $5,500	Includes permit and third-party inspection
Knob-and-tube replacement (whole house)	$9,000 – $25,000

What swings the price

Third-party electrical inspection, which is how the city verifies residential work.
Knob-and-tube wiring still present in older row houses, which insurers increasingly refuse to cover.
Plaster walls, which make fishing new cable slow and patch-heavy.
Basement service entrance conditions, often damp and undersized in older homes.

Philadelphia specifics

Philadelphia has electrical work inspected by licensed third-party electrical inspection agencies rather than by city inspectors directly. Your electrician pulls the permit and then engages an approved agency for the inspection, and that agency fee is a real line item. It also means the inspection schedule depends on the agency's availability, not the city's. Ask which agency the electrician uses and whether the inspection fee is inside the quote — that is a common gap between two otherwise identical bids.

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FAQs

How much does an electrician cost per hour in Philadelphia?

$100–$185/hr, median around $135, with a service-call fee of $85–$195 typically credited toward the job if you proceed.

Who inspects electrical work in Philadelphia?

Licensed third-party electrical inspection agencies approved by the city, engaged by your electrician after the permit is pulled. The agency fee is a real cost and should appear in the quote rather than showing up later.

What does knob-and-tube replacement cost?

$9,000–$25,000 for a whole row house, depending on size and how much wall opening is involved. Many insurers now decline or surcharge policies on homes with active knob-and-tube, which is often what forces the timeline.

What does a 200A service upgrade cost in Philadelphia?

$2,400–$5,500 all-in including permit, third-party inspection, and utility coordination. Older homes needing the meter relocated or a new service mast run toward the top of that range.

Does my electrician need to be licensed in Philadelphia?

Yes — the city licenses electrical contractors and only a licensed contractor can pull the permit. Ask for the license number up front. Unpermitted electrical work surfaces at sale and is expensive to legalize retroactively.

Sources

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Prices refresh quarterly. Last review: Aug 9, 2026.