San Francisco, CA
Electricians in San Francisco
Licensed electrical contractors for panel work, wiring, troubleshooting and code corrections. Local labor in San Francisco runs about 38 percent above the national median, which is the adjustment to apply before you use any national price.
- Metro population
- 808,988
- Labor cost index
- 1.38×
- State
- California
Emergency and utility numbers in California
For gas odor, downed power lines, or flooding, call 911 or your utility emergency line first — not a contractor. After the immediate hazard is controlled, hire licensed pros for permanent repair.
- 911 — fire, medical, immediate life safety
- Gas odor — leave the building, do not switch lights, call your gas utility emergency number from outside
- Power outage / lines down — utility emergency line; stay away from downed conductors
Trade owners in San Francisco
Claiming your profile is free — correct licence, service area, and contact. No lead fees and no paid placement.
Claim your businessElectricians listed in San Francisco
No listings here yet
We publish a listing only where the organization asked to be listed, or where every field came from a public licence register. Neither has happened for electricians in San Francisco yet, so there is nothing to show — rather than a page of names scraped from somewhere and presented as vetted.
The costs, licensing and verification steps below apply regardless. If you run a business here, listing is free and always will be.
What the work costs here
National ranges adjusted by the San Francisco labor index. Materials move far less by region than labor does, so treat these as directional — the range narrows once someone has actually seen the job.
- Electrician median pay here
- $85,000
- National median $61,590
- Labor cost vs. national
- +38%
- Applied to the estimates below
- Metro population
- 808,988
- California
| Job | National typical | San Francisco typical | Range here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | $3,500 | $4,800 | $2,500–$12,500 |
| EV Charger Installation | $1,600 | $2,200 | $1,100–$6,200 |
| Whole-House Generator Installation | $12,000 | $16,500 | $6,900–$30,500 |
| Whole-House Rewiring | $15,000 | $20,500 | $11,000–$41,500 |
| Adding an Electrical Circuit | $400 | $550 | $275–$1,200 |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | $275 | $375 | $200–$825 |
| Recessed Lighting Installation | $350 | $475 | $200–$1,100 |
| Hot Tub Electrical Wiring | $1,500 | $2,100 | $1,100–$4,100 |
| Subpanel Installation | $1,800 | $2,500 | $1,200–$4,800 |
| Outlet Installation | $275 | $375 | $200–$700 |
| GFCI Installation | $325 | $450 | $250–$750 |
| Switch Replacement | $225 | $300 | $175–$625 |
| Light Fixture Installation | $300 | $425 | $200–$825 |
| Smoke Detector Installation | $200 | $275 | $150–$625 |
| Doorbell Camera Installation | $350 | $475 | $250–$975 |
| Smart Thermostat Wiring | $300 | $425 | $200–$750 |
| Whole-House Surge Protector Installation | $450 | $625 | $350–$1,000 |
| Generator Transfer Switch | $1,800 | $2,500 | $1,100–$4,800 |
| Meter Base Replacement | $2,200 | $3,000 | $1,700–$6,200 |
| Service Mast Replacement | $1,600 | $2,200 | $1,200–$4,400 |
| Knob and Tube Replacement | $15,000 | $20,500 | $11,000–$38,500 |
| Aluminum Wiring Remediation | $5,500 | $7,600 | $3,400–$16,500 |
| Electrical Inspection | $350 | $475 | $275–$825 |
| Pool Equipment Wiring | $1,800 | $2,500 | $1,100–$5,500 |
| Landscape Lighting Installation | $1,800 | $2,500 | $1,100–$6,200 |
| Solar Panel Installation | $22,000 | $30,500 | $16,500–$55,000 |
| Home Battery Backup Installation | $14,000 | $19,500 | $11,000–$34,500 |
| Under-Cabinet Lighting Installation | $650 | $900 | $425–$1,900 |
| Chandelier Installation | $450 | $625 | $275–$1,700 |
| Attic Wiring | $900 | $1,200 | $550–$3,000 |
| Garage Subpanel | $1,800 | $2,500 | $1,200–$4,800 |
| Low-Voltage Wiring | $1,200 | $1,700 | $700–$3,900 |
| EV Charger Panel Upgrade | $3,200 | $4,400 | $2,500–$7,600 |
| Hardscape Lighting | $2,000 | $2,800 | $1,200–$9,000 |
| Range Hood Installation | $700 | $975 | $475–$2,900 |
| Bathroom Exhaust Fan Installation | $500 | $700 | $375–$1,800 |
How these numbers are derived
National ranges are multiplied by a 1.38× labor index for San Francisco. The index is an approximation for planning, not a wage survey, and it applies to labor rather than to materials. Use it to sanity-check a quote, not to argue one down to the dollar.
Verify before you hire in California
Check the licence with the California board
Journeyman and master licenses are issued by states or municipalities; most require documented hours plus an exam. Search the number in the state's public lookup, confirm it is active, and confirm the classification covers your job rather than something adjacent to it.
Have the insurer send the certificate
Ask for general liability and workers' compensation to be sent to you directly by the insurance agent. A PDF forwarded by the contractor proves the document existed once, not that the policy is current.
Get the scope in writing, with exclusions
What is included matters less than what is excluded. Permits, disposal, patching, and code upgrades triggered by the work are the four line items that most often turn into change orders.
Confirm who pulls the permit
Permit thresholds are municipal in California. The licence holder should pull it. If you are asked to pull it as a homeowner on licensed work, you are absorbing their liability.
Never pay the full amount up front
A deposit for materials on a large job is normal. Paying in full before work begins is not, and several states cap what a contractor may take as a deposit.
Work out the problem before you call
- ElectricalBreaker Keeps TrippingUnderstand why a circuit breaker trips repeatedly and which causes are safe to investigate yourself.
- ElectricalOutlet Not WorkingA dead outlet or one that stopped working — check these causes before calling an electrician for a simple fix.
- ElectricalGFCI Won't ResetA GFCI outlet or breaker that will not stay reset — there is a ground fault somewhere on the circuit that must be found.
- ElectricalLights FlickeringLights that flicker or dim — determine whether it is a loose bulb, an overloaded circuit, or a problem at the panel.
- ElectricalBreaker Won't ResetA circuit breaker that trips and will not stay on — the circuit has a fault that must be found before you reset again.
- VentilationBathroom Fan Not VentingA bathroom exhaust fan that runs but does not move air — moisture stays in the room and mold follows within weeks.
- ElectricalHalf of Outlets Not WorkingWhen some outlets work and others do not, look for a tripped GFCI, tripped breaker, or a failed outlet feeding the chain.
- ElectricalBurning Smell From OutletA burning or fishy smell at an outlet means overheating — shut the circuit off until the device is replaced or inspected.
- ElectricalWarm Light SwitchA warm switch is drawing excessive current or has a bad connection — common with dimmers on heavy or incompatible loads.
- ElectricalBuzzing Breaker PanelBuzzing from the panel suggests a loose breaker, failing AFCI/GFCI, or arcing at lugs — treat as urgent.
- ElectricalLights Dim When Appliance RunsVoltage dip when a large load starts usually means shared circuit overload or a loose neutral.
- ElectricalBulbs Burning Out FastPremature bulb failure points to high voltage, vibration, poor contacts, or wrong dimmer.
- ElectricalFlickering Whole HouseWhole-house flicker suggests utility supply issues, loose main neutral, or large motor loads on the service.
- ElectricalSmoke Alarm ChirpingPeriodic chirps usually mean low battery, end of life, or dust — pattern matters on hardwired units.
- ElectricalOutdoor Outlet DeadDead exterior outlets are often a tripped GFCI indoors, moisture in the box, or a tripped breaker.
- ElectricalTwo-Prong OutletsUngrounded two-prong outlets limit safe grounding for modern electronics — understand options before upgrading.
- ElectricalElectrical Panel Is FullNo open breaker spaces blocks EV chargers, heat pumps, and subpanels — plan a tandem audit or upgrade.
- ElectricalGarage Outlet Keeps TrippingGarage GFCI trips from moisture, freezer faults, or garage door opener leakage.
- ElectricalPool Light Not WorkingPool lights combine water, electricity, and sealed niches — leaks and tripped GFCIs are common.
- ElectricalDoorbell Not WorkingSilent doorbells trace to button, transformer, chime, or smart doorbell wiring.
- ElectricalCeiling Fan WobblingFan wobble comes from blade balance, loose mounting, or a bent blade — fix before it loosens the box.
- ElectricalDimmer Switch BuzzingBuzzing dimmers often mean incompatible LEDs, overloaded dimmer, or loose wire.
- AppliancesDryer Not HeatingAn electric dryer that tumbles but stays cold usually means a tripped breaker, blown thermal fuse, or failed heating element.
- AppliancesDryer Takes Too LongLong dry times are almost always restricted vent airflow or overloaded drum before heater failure.
- AppliancesOven Not HeatingOven not reaching temperature traces to breaker, igniter, bake element, or temperature sensor.
- AppliancesFridge Not CoolingWarm fridge with running compressor often means dirty coils, failed fan, or sealed system leak.
- AppliancesMicrowave Not HeatingMicrowave runs but does not heat usually means failed magnetron, diode, or door switch — rarely DIY.
- SafetyScorched BreakerDiscoloration or melt on a breaker means arcing — replace breaker and investigate circuit immediately.
- SafetySparking OutletVisible sparks from an outlet mean damaged contacts or short — stop using and shut breaker.
- SafetyHot Ceiling FixtureA hot ceiling fixture or globe means wrong bulb wattage or buried insulation on IC rating violation.
Questions about hiring in San Francisco
How much do electricians charge in San Francisco?
Local labor in San Francisco runs about 38 percent above the national median, so a national estimate should be adjusted accordingly. Against a national median of $61,590 a year, electricians in this metro earn closer to $85,000, and service rates track that difference.
Do I need a licensed professional in California?
Journeyman and master licenses are issued by states or municipalities; most require documented hours plus an exam. Confirm the licence number with the California board before work begins, and confirm the classification covers your specific job.
Is a permit required in San Francisco?
Permit thresholds are set municipally and differ even between neighbouring cities in California. As a rule, anything altering electrical service, gas piping, drain-waste-vent, or structure requires one. The contractor holding the licence should pull it — if they ask you to pull it as a homeowner on work like that, treat it as a warning.
How do I verify a contractor's licence?
The California licensing board publishes a free public lookup. Search the licence number, confirm it is active rather than expired or suspended, and confirm the name on the licence matches the business on your quote. Then have the certificate of insurance sent to you directly by the insurer.
Other trades in San Francisco
- Plumbers in San FranciscoLicensed plumbing contractors for water heaters, leaks, drains, fixtures and repiping.
- HVAC Contractors in San FranciscoHeating, cooling and refrigeration contractors for service, replacement and duct work.
- Roofers in San FranciscoRoofing contractors for leak repair, replacement, storm damage and inspections.
- Carpenters in San FranciscoFraming, finish carpentry, decks, stairs and structural repair contractors.
- Trade Schools in San FranciscoAccredited trade and technical schools offering programs in the skilled trades.
- Apprenticeship Programs in San FranciscoRegistered apprenticeship programs through union locals, contractor associations and employers.