Light fixture installation costs $150 to $1,021 per job in 2026
Light fixture installation costs $150 to $1,021 per job in 2026. Angi's 2026 data puts the average at $589 across 5,281 projects. InchCalculator lists $400 on average and $150 to $500 for most jobs. HomeAdvisor lists $158 to $1,021. Fixture type, wiring and electrician rates move the price. A chandelier can cost far more than a simple ceiling light, so get the type of fixture written on the quote.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Angi | Angi says light fixture installation averages $589 with a typical range of $158 to $1,021, electricians charge $35 to $100 an hour, and chandeliers run $220 to $3,400. |
| InchCalculator | InchCalculator says the national average is $400 with a typical range of $150 to $500, electricians charge $50 to $200 an hour, and recessed lights cost $200 to $250 per can. |
| HomeAdvisor | HomeAdvisor says the average is $589 with most homeowners paying $158 to $1,021, as little as $75 or as much as $3,000, and labor of $100 to $200. |
Light fixture installation cost by type
| Fixture type | Installed cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling-mounted | $70 to $250 | Angi |
| Pendant | $100 to $300 | Angi |
| Recessed, per can | $200 to $250 | InchCalculator |
| Wall-mounted or sconce | $100 to $250 | Angi |
| Track lighting | $100 to $300 | HomeAdvisor |
| Chandelier, replacing one | $150 to $500 | InchCalculator |
| Chandelier, all jobs | $220 to $3,400+ | HomeAdvisor |
| Dimmer switch, part | $6 to $40 | HomeAdvisor |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fixture type | A ceiling light is cheap to hang, while a chandelier is not. Angi lists ceiling-mounted at $70 to $250 and chandeliers at $220 to $3,400. |
| Existing or new wiring | Hanging a light where one sits costs less. InchCalculator says a chandelier in a new spot costs $300 to $3,000, but $150 to $500 to replace. |
| Electrician rate and time | Angi lists $35 to $100 an hour and two hours per job. InchCalculator lists $50 to $200 an hour. HomeAdvisor lists labor at $100 to $200. |
| Number of lights | Recessed cans add up fast. InchCalculator lists $200 to $250 per can, and Angi says a room needs one can for each 4 to 6 square feet. |
| Extras and permits | A dimmer switch costs $6 to $40, says HomeAdvisor. InchCalculator lists permits at $20 to $100 or more, and HomeAdvisor lists permits at $30 to $50. |
What the price includes
The price normally covers an electrician's time to take down the old light and hang the new one with simple wiring. The fixture itself may be extra. Angi lists drywall cuts, a new junction box and old fixture removal as cost factors. HomeAdvisor lists a dimmer switch at $6 to $40 and permits at $30 to $50 as add-ons. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
Swapping a light in the same spot is a job some owners do themselves, but wiring carries risk. Turn off the power at the breaker first. If the work needs a new junction box, new wiring or drywall cuts, hire a licensed electrician. Angi lists those as cost factors. An electrician costs $35 to $100 an hour per Angi, and a typical job takes about two hours, so labor runs $50 to $250. HomeAdvisor says $100 to $200. Doing it yourself saves labor, but a mistake can cause a shock or a fire. If you are not sure, pay for the pro.
How to tell you need it
You may need a new fixture if the old one flickers, buzzes, looks worn or no longer lights the room well. A fixture with a cracked housing or loose wiring may be unsafe. You also need an install when you add a light where none was, such as recessed cans in a kitchen. Angi lists recessed lights at $130 to $300 each.
How to judge your quote
- Does the quote name the fixture type and say who buys the fixture?
- Is the work hourly or one flat price, and how many hours are allowed?
- Does it cover new wiring, a junction box or old fixture removal?
- Is the electrician licensed, and is a permit needed?
- Compare the total with the range above: $150 to $1,021 per job for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Buy the fixture yourself and hire only for the install. Then compare the electrician's quote with HomeAdvisor's labor range of $100 to $200.
- Group several lights into one visit. Angi says a typical job takes about two hours, so one trip can cover more than one fixture.
- Pick a simple ceiling light where wiring already exists. Angi lists ceiling-mounted installs at $70 to $250, far below chandeliers at up to $3,400.
- Get at least three written quotes. Rates run from $35 to $100 an hour per Angi and up to $200 per InchCalculator, so quotes can differ a lot.
- Ask if a permit is needed before work starts. InchCalculator lists permits at $20 to $100 or more, and HomeAdvisor lists $30 to $50.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Labor is the main driver in 2026, since Angi lists electrician rates of $35 to $100 an hour and about two hours for a typical job.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Angi, InchCalculator and HomeAdvisor. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does it cost to install a light fixture?
Angi's 2026 data lists an average of $589 and a range of $158 to $1,021. InchCalculator lists an average of $400. HomeAdvisor also lists an average of $589.
How much do electricians charge per hour?
Angi lists $35 to $100 an hour. HomeAdvisor lists $50 to $100. InchCalculator lists $50 to $200.
How much does it cost to install recessed lights?
InchCalculator lists $200 to $250 per can. Angi lists $130 to $300. Angi says a room needs about one can for each 4 to 6 square feet.
Is a chandelier more costly to install?
Yes. Angi lists $220 to $3,400. InchCalculator lists $150 to $500 to replace one and $300 to $3,000 in a new spot.
Do I need a permit?
Sometimes. InchCalculator lists permits at $20 to $100 or more. HomeAdvisor lists $30 to $50. Ask your city office or your electrician.