How Much Should Electricians Charge to Install Recessed Lights in 2026?

Short answer: $150 to $250 per light installed in most residential markets in 2026. That includes labour, wiring, and the light itself.

Here is the full breakdown.

Materials Per Light

Item	Typical 2026 Price
4" LED recessed can light	$35 - $50
6" LED recessed can light	$45 - $70
Smart WiFi recessed light	$60 - $90
12/2 romex wire (per light run, ~10 ft)	$12 - $18
Outlet box or plaster ring	$3 - $5
Wire nuts and misc	$2 - $3

Total materials per light: roughly $55 - $95

Labour Per Light

A licensed electrician typically installs recessed lights at:

• New construction (accessible attic): 30-45 minutes per light
• Existing ceilings (retrofit): 60-90 minutes per light
• Insulated ceilings, cathedral, or fished from remote panel: 90-120 minutes per light

At a 2026 labour rate of $85-$120/hr, that translates to:

• New construction: $50-$90 per light
• Existing retrofit: $95-$180 per light
• Complex install: $150-$250 per light

Complete Job Pricing Example

Job: Install 4 recessed lights in existing kitchen ceiling with attic access, add dimmer switch.

Item	Qty	Unit	Price	Total
4" LED recessed lights	4	ea	$42	$168
LED-compatible dimmer	1	ea	$28	$28
12/2 NM-B wire	40	ft	$1.30	$52
Labour (retrofit)	4	hr	$95	$380
Pre-markup				$628
Markup (15%)				$94.20
Tax (8.25%)				$59.55
Grand Total				$781.75

Per light: $195 all-in.

Regional Adjustments

2026 prices vary by market. Adjust based on your area:

• Northeast / Bay Area: +30-40%
• Texas / Florida: baseline
• Rural Midwest: -15-20%
• Canada: +10-15% in USD

Stop Pricing By Guess

Most electricians eyeball recessed light pricing and undercharge by 20-30%. If you install 3-5 lights a week, that's $500-$1,000 of lost revenue.

QuotePro learns your real prices automatically as you send quotes. After 5-10 sent quotes, the AI knows exactly what YOU charge for each item and will use those numbers next time — no data entry needed.

Start pricing smarter with QuotePro →