Published hourly rates for licensed electricians in Ontario run $80 to $150, and most sit at $95 to $150 an hour before HST. One contractor serving Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo puts the region at $80 to $125.
Most small jobs start with a service-call minimum of $150 to $250, which usually covers the first hour. Bigger jobs are quoted as a fixed price instead.
Hourly rates and minimums
Rates for licensed electricians are higher in the GTA than in Waterloo Region. The service-call minimum covers travel and the first hour, which is why a ten-minute fix still costs the minimum.
Published hourly rates and service calls
CAD · before HST · published prices
- Licensed electricians in Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo, per hourFrom a Guelph and Tri-City electrical contractor’s 2026 EV charger cost guide
- $80 to $125
- Licensed electricians in Toronto, per hourFrom a North York electrical contractor’s 2026 electrician cost page
- $95 to $150
- Standard residential work (GTA), per hourFrom an Etobicoke electrical contractor’s 2026 electrician pricing guide
- $95 to $140
- Additional hoursFrom a North York electrical contractor’s 2026 hourly rate post
- $100 to $150
- Service call minimum, covers the first hourFrom a North York electrical contractor’s 2026 electrician cost page
- $150 to $250
- Minimum service call feeFrom an Etobicoke electrical contractor’s 2026 electrician pricing guide
- $150 to $300
- Initial visit and first hourFrom a North York electrical contractor’s 2026 hourly rate post
- $150 to $250
Common jobs
Most work is quoted by the job rather than the hour. Typical published prices: a 100 to 200 amp upgrade $2,500 to $5,000; a Level 2 EV charger install $1,100 to $2,500; pot lights $150 to $330 per light; a hot tub circuit $500 to $2,500; and a standby generator $7,000 to $15,000 fully installed.
Licensed contractors and ESA
In Ontario, anyone doing electrical work for pay must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor with ESA. You can look a contractor up on ESA’s site. The contractor files the notification, and ESA’s fees are small next to the work: the minimum is $92 in 2026.
Source: ESA 2026 Wiring Fee Guide.
Questions people ask
How much does an electrician cost per hour in Ontario?
Published 2026 rates for licensed electricians run $80 to $150, with most at $95 to $150 an hour before HST. Waterloo Region is at the lower end of that.
Is there a minimum charge?
Usually. Published service-call minimums are $150 to $250, normally covering travel and the first hour.
Hourly or fixed price?
Small repairs are usually hourly. Defined jobs, such as a panel upgrade, a charger or a set of pot lights, are usually quoted as a fixed price after a look at the site.
How do I check an electrician is licensed?
Search the contractor on ESA’s licensed contractor lookup at esasafe.com. Only a Licensed Electrical Contractor can do electrical work for pay in Ontario.
Where these prices come from
These figures are from Ontario electrical contractors’ own published price guides, including three from Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo, checked October 25, 2026. We describe each source rather than name it. They’re ranges, not quotes, and before HST. ESA fees come from ESA’s own 2026 fee guide.