Cost guide · Modesto, CA
Electrician cost in Modesto, CA
As of September 2026, hiring an electrician in the Modesto, CA area runs about $129.79/hr for labor on remodel and addition work, and a typical general job averages $995 to $1,187 total, per 2026 industry cost data.
Electrician costs by job type
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Small repair (outlet, switch, breaker) | $140 – $1,283 (median ~$295) |
| General job (average, all types) | $899 – $1,283 (avg ~$995–$1,187) |
| GFCI outlet install/replace | $100 – $300 (avg ~$210) |
| Ceiling fan installation | $85 – $650 (avg ~$253) |
| 200-amp panel upgrade | $1,800 – $4,500 (median ~$2,800) |
| EV charger (Level 2) install | $500 – $2,500 (avg ~$1,200) |
| Whole-house rewiring (2,500 sq ft) | $5,000 – $10,500 |
2026 industry cost aggregator data (Homeyou, ProMatcher, ServiceAgent, Angi), blended with this site’s own Modesto-area research. Not a quote — get a few free quotes to see current local pricing for your specific job.
What drives the price of any electrical job
- Labor time. The single biggest factor for most jobs — a 30-minute fix costs far less than a half-day project, independent of materials.
- Permit requirements. Work that needs a permit and inspection (panel work, new circuits, most rewiring) costs more than work that doesn’t, partly from the permit fee itself and partly from the extra time to schedule and pass inspection.
- Home age and access. Older Modesto homes with harder-to-access wiring, undersized panels, or outdated wiring types typically cost more to work on than a newer home with modern, accessible wiring.
- Emergency/after-hours timing. Same-day and after-hours calls often carry a premium over a scheduled daytime appointment — see our emergency guide for what qualifies.
- Materials. Usually a smaller share of the total than labor for most residential jobs, but panel upgrades and rewiring can shift that balance.
Getting the most accurate quote
The ranges above are a starting point, not a substitute for an actual quote — get a couple of free quotes and compare them against what’s on this page. For very minor work, California’s statewide minor-work exemption (AB 2622, effective January 2025) allows a total job of $1,000 or less to skip the licensing requirement, but only when the work also doesn’t require a permit and isn’t performed by someone who employs others on the project — most electrical work beyond a very small fix doesn’t clear all three conditions. See our licensed electrician vs. handyman guide for the full breakdown of what that exemption actually covers.
Electrician cost FAQ
How much does an electrician cost per hour in Modesto? +
Electrician labor in the Modesto area runs around $129.79/hr for remodel and addition work, with a typical range of roughly $122.88–$136.70/hr, per 2026 industry data — separate from materials and any flat-rate/diagnostic fee.
What’s the average cost of an electrician visit in Modesto? +
A general electrician job — not a major project like a panel upgrade — averages $995 to $1,187 in the Modesto area, with a typical range of $899 to $1,283, per 2026 cost data. Small individual repairs run lower, often around $295 on the median.
Do electricians charge a trip or diagnostic fee? +
Many do, especially for the first visit before any repair work begins — it’s worth asking upfront and confirming whether that fee is credited toward the repair cost if you move forward.
Is it cheaper to bundle multiple small jobs into one visit? +
Usually, yes — most of the cost in a small electrical job is the trip and labor time, not materials, so bundling a few small fixes (an outlet swap, a fixture, a GFCI upgrade) into one visit typically costs less per item than separate calls.
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