How much does recessed lighting cost?
Recessed lighting costs $150 to $300 per light installed in 2026. What changes your price is below.
A kitchen with 6 to 9 lights runs about $1,000 to $2,500. Dimmer switches add $50 to $150 each.
Estimate your recessed lighting cost
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Is this price fair?
A fair price is $150 to $300.
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Middle of the range: $225
What you are paying for
How we calculate this
Prices are for the United States in 2026 from published cost guides, checked September 2026. This is an estimate, not a quote.
How much does recessed lighting cost?
| Finished ceiling, per light | $150 to $300 (AJ Long Electric). |
|---|---|
| Open framing, per light | $100 to $175. |
| Kitchen, 6 to 9 lights | $1,000 to $2,500. |
| LED fixture only | $20 to $60 each. |
| Dimmer switch | $50 to $150 each. |
| Budget installs | From about $30 per light (Fixr). |
What pushes a quote up
| Ceiling type | Plaster and high ceilings cost more. |
|---|---|
| Attic access | An open attic above makes wiring easier. |
| Insulation | IC rated fixtures are needed near insulation. |
| New wiring | A new circuit adds cost. |
| Number of lights | More lights lower the cost per light. |
Recessed lighting cost by region
| Lower cost states | $120 to $240. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas. |
|---|---|
| Average cost states | $150 to $300. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities. |
| Higher cost states | $195 to $400. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC. |
These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. Big city electricians charge more.
Replace or add new
Fixr notes replacing existing recessed lights costs less than adding new ones, because the wiring, boxes and switch can be reused. Adding lights to a finished ceiling means cutting holes and fishing new wire.
LED fixtures cost $20 to $60 each and last 25,000 to 50,000 hours, so you rarely change bulbs.
Permits
Many towns need an electrical permit for new wiring. Ask the electrician if the permit is in the price.
Why this costs more in 2026
Copper wire, LED fixtures and electrician labor all cost more in 2026.
Fuel went up fast this year. AAA diesel topped $6 a gallon on September 11, 2026 (CBS 8), and building material prices rose 4.8 percent in a year (Roofing Contractor). Get the quote date in writing.
How to judge the quote in your hand
- Ask the price per light and the total.
- Ask if the fixtures are IC rated.
- Ask if a new circuit is needed.
- Ask if drywall patching is included.
- Ask if the permit is included.
Ways to pay less
- Do all rooms at once for a lower per light price.
- Buy LED wafer lights, which need no can.
- Plan the layout before the electrician arrives.
- Add dimmers only where you need them.
- Get 3 quotes.
Before you decide
A worked example
Say you want 6 lights in a living room with attic access above. At $175 each, that is $1,050. Add one dimmer for $100 and the total is about $1,150. The same job with no attic access might be $250 a light, or about $1,600.
You focus on being the best. We make sure AI knows it, and names you. About $150 to $300 per light in a finished ceiling. About $900 to $1,800 in a finished ceiling. Yes, about $100 to $175 per light with open framing. Often, for new wiring. Ask your electrician.Is ChatGPT sending your customers to a competitor?
90 day money back guarantee if you don't get more customers.Common questions
How much does it cost to install recessed lighting?
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Is new construction cheaper?
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