Data report · Nov 2, 2026

Electrical panel upgrade cost by state

State metro averages from about $2,111 (AR) to $2,798 (HI), using BLS OEWS electrician wages.

Chart: Fairange mid estimates · BLS OEWS May 2025 · Share freely with attribution

Panel upgrades show up whenever someone adds a heat pump, an EV charger, or finally replaces a fuse box. We didn’t invent electrician wages. we pulled SOC 47-2111 Electricians from the same BLS OEWS May 2025 metro file we already use for HVAC, plumbing, and roofing, then ran our usual hours × wage × markup + materials math.

Averaging metros inside each state that publish a local electrician wage, mid estimates for a typical residential panel upgrade (think 100A→200A like-for-like swap) run from about $2,111 (AR) to $2,798 (HI). National mid on the same baseline: $2,428.

Utility service fees, mast/meter work, and long permit queues can move a real bid more than state lines. Our materials band is equipment and common parts. not every utility charge.

Highest state averages

#	State	Avg mid	Metros used
1	HI	$2,798	2 metros
2	OR	$2,783	8 metros
3	WA	$2,747	11 metros
4	AK	$2,694	2 metros
5	IL	$2,671	8 metros
6	NJ	$2,649	3 metros
7	CA	$2,613	25 metros
8	MN	$2,590	5 metros
9	DC	$2,559	1 metros
10	NV	$2,530	3 metros
11	CT	$2,511	5 metros
12	NY	$2,501	12 metros

Lowest state averages

#	State	Avg mid	Metros used
1	PR	$1,955	5 metros
2	AR	$2,111	5 metros
3	TX	$2,166	25 metros
4	NC	$2,178	15 metros
5	FL	$2,180	22 metros
6	AL	$2,197	12 metros
7	MS	$2,203	3 metros
8	NM	$2,214	4 metros
9	SC	$2,215	8 metros
10	GA	$2,230	14 metros
11	LA	$2,230	10 metros
12	KY	$2,245	6 metros

What drives the price

Amperage and panel brand: 150A vs 200A, and whether breakers transfer cleanly.
Service equipment: mast, meter pan, and utility fees are the wild cards.
Grounding/bonding and code catch-up: older houses collect extras.
Local electrician wages: OEWS means vary widely by metro; we average those metros by state here.

How to tell if your quote is fair

Separate the panel/labor price from utility or service-drop charges.
Ask whether the bid is for panel only or includes mast/meter work.
Confirm permit, inspection, and temporary power plans.
Run your ZIP on the panel calculator and compare the labor-shaped part of the bid.
Browse city guides for nearby labor context (HVAC/plumbing/roofing pages share the same wage file family).

Methodology & sources

Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 47-2111 Electricians (metro file from oesm25ma.zip; national mean $34.37/hr from BLS OEWS national estimates). Job baselines are ours: 8/12/18 hours; materials $800/$1,500/$2,800 for a typical panel swap. Same markup and dampened materials factor as other Fairange jobs. Details: methodology. Electrician wages sourced from the same OEWS May 2025 release as our other trades (SOC 47-2111). Estimates, not bids.

Estimates, not bids. Fairange planning estimates from public BLS wages plus published hours/materials assumptions. Not contractor bids. Hours, materials baselines, and contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) are ours — published on the methodology page. Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Always get local written bids.

Also: ZIP calculator · city guides · how we estimate · press kit

By The Fairange team · [email protected]