Electrician hourly rate calculator: find your true break-even rate
Most electricians charge what competitors charge — and competitors are often losing money. This calculator starts from your real costs.
Your real costs
What you must charge
Starter price book (at target rate)
| Service | Hrs | Price |
|---|
USD labor estimates only. Service times and starting inputs are examples; exclude materials and taxes. Review before quoting.
Add materials and prepare a customer quote →
How the electrician break-even rate works
Your break-even rate = (target salary + all annual overhead) ÷ real billable hours per year. Your target rate adds your profit margin on top. If your target rate is above what you currently charge, every hour you bill below it is subsidizing your customers.
Frequently asked questions
Why do electricians need a break-even calculator?
Most electricians pick an hourly rate by looking at competitors — but competitors are often undercharging. Your break-even rate comes from your actual overhead and billable hours, not the market.
How many billable hours should I use?
Solo electricians typically bill 20–30 of a 40-hour week; the rest is driving, quoting, and admin. Start with 25.
What's a good profit margin for an electrical contractor?
10–15% net is healthy for residential electrical work. Under 5% means one bad job can sink the month.
Should I charge hourly or flat rate?
Flat rate from a price book wins: customers hate open-ended hourly billing, and flat rate rewards you for getting faster.