EV Charge 
A Level 2 home charger installation costs $1,700 on average across the U.S., but your actual bill depends on the job itself (cable run, panel capacity) and on what electricians earn in your state. Based on local wages alone, our estimate ranges from $1,468 in Arkansas to $2,064 in Oregon.
The estimated installation cost in every state
How we estimate it: we take a typical $1,700 U.S. job from our installation cost guide (about $500 for the charger, $280 for the permit and the rest for the electrician), keep the charger and permit fixed, and scale the electrician’s share by what electricians earn in each state compared with the U.S. average of $34.37 an hour. It’s an estimate for comparing states, not a quote: a long cable run or a panel upgrade changes the total far more than the state does.
| State | Electrician mean wage (per hour) | vs U.S. average | Typical install, estimated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $27.65 | -20% | $1,520 |
| Alaska | $43.29 | +26% | $1,939 |
| Arizona | $30.88 | -10% | $1,607 |
| Arkansas | $25.71 | -25% | $1,468 |
| California | $41.28 | +20% | $1,885 |
| Colorado | $31.88 | -7% | $1,633 |
| Connecticut | $37.21 | +8% | $1,776 |
| Delaware | $34.02 | -1% | $1,691 |
| District of Columbia | $42.72 | +24% | $1,924 |
| Florida | $27.72 | -19% | $1,522 |
| Georgia | $29.37 | -15% | $1,566 |
| Hawaii | $44.65 | +30% | $1,975 |
| Idaho | $32.02 | -7% | $1,637 |
| Illinois | $44.34 | +29% | $1,967 |
| Indiana | $34.05 | -1% | $1,691 |
| Iowa | $30.38 | -12% | $1,593 |
| Kansas | $33.27 | -3% | $1,671 |
| Kentucky | $29.52 | -14% | $1,570 |
| Louisiana | $29.98 | -13% | $1,582 |
| Maine | $37.14 | +8% | $1,774 |
| Maryland | $36.28 | +6% | $1,751 |
| Massachusetts | $39.21 | +14% | $1,830 |
| Michigan | $35.50 | +3% | $1,730 |
| Minnesota | $38.86 | +13% | $1,820 |
| Mississippi | $27.88 | -19% | $1,526 |
| Missouri | $34.77 | +1% | $1,711 |
| Montana | $34.58 | +1% | $1,706 |
| Nebraska | $30.75 | -11% | $1,603 |
| Nevada | $36.40 | +6% | $1,754 |
| New Hampshire | $31.63 | -8% | $1,627 |
| New Jersey | $41.68 | +21% | $1,896 |
| New Mexico | $28.66 | -17% | $1,547 |
| New York | $40.80 | +19% | $1,872 |
| North Carolina | $27.33 | -20% | $1,512 |
| North Dakota | $33.87 | -1% | $1,687 |
| Ohio | $33.09 | -4% | $1,666 |
| Oklahoma | $30.49 | -11% | $1,596 |
| Oregon | $47.96 | +40% | $2,064 |
| Pennsylvania | $36.43 | +6% | $1,755 |
| Rhode Island | $35.65 | +4% | $1,734 |
| South Carolina | $28.38 | -17% | $1,540 |
| South Dakota | $29.80 | -13% | $1,578 |
| Tennessee | $30.55 | -11% | $1,598 |
| Texas | $28.50 | -17% | $1,543 |
| Utah | $31.39 | -9% | $1,620 |
| Vermont | $35.27 | +3% | $1,724 |
| Virginia | $32.62 | -5% | $1,653 |
| Washington | $45.42 | +32% | $1,996 |
| West Virginia | $32.61 | -5% | $1,653 |
| Wisconsin | $35.49 | +3% | $1,730 |
| Wyoming | $35.99 | +5% | $1,743 |
Why the numbers look like this
Labor makes up the bulk of installation cost. The charger unit itself runs about $500 and a permit typically costs $280, leaving $920 as the labor component at the national average electrician wage of $34.37/hour. States where electricians earn less see cheaper installations; states where they earn more see higher costs. The difference reflects local economic conditions and the demand for licensed electricians in each region. Some jobs cost more because they require a panel upgrade, which adds $2,000–$5,000 to the total. Panel upgrades become necessary when your home’s electrical service cannot safely handle the charger’s power draw.
What you can do
- Get quotes from at least two licensed electricians in your area before committing. Prices vary by contractor and site conditions.
- Ask if a panel upgrade is needed before you install. This is the single biggest cost multiplier and depends on your home’s wiring, not your state.
- Confirm the permit cost and timeline with your city or county. Some jurisdictions bundle this into the electrician’s quote; others bill it separately.
- Compare the annual fuel cost of your EV to a gas car that gets 30 mpg. The math changes based on your actual vehicle and local electricity rates.
Frequently asked questions
Why does installation cost so much more in some states?
Electrician wages vary by state, and labor is the largest cost component of any Level 2 installation. A state where electricians earn $47.96/hour will have higher installation costs than one where they earn $25.71/hour.
What is a panel upgrade and why is it expensive?
A panel upgrade replaces or expands your home’s electrical service panel so it can safely deliver power to a Level 2 charger. It costs $2,000–$5,000 and is needed if your existing panel lacks capacity or available breaker slots.
How long does installation take?
Most Level 2 installations take one day, but permit processing can add one to two weeks depending on your city. Always account for permit time when planning.
How much does charging an EV cost compared to gas?
A Tesla Model Y costs $599 per year to charge at U.S. average electricity rates, while a gas car that gets 30 mpg costs $1,732 per year at current gas prices. The EV saves $1,133 annually in fuel alone.
Can I install a Level 2 charger myself?
No. Level 2 chargers require a dedicated circuit wired by a licensed electrician and permitted by your local authority. Improper installation risks fire and voided warranties.
Your bill depends on your own rate and miles. Put them in the EV charging cost calculator, or see every state in the cost by state table and the monthly price index.
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (electrician wages); installer cost ranges in our installation guide. Method: how we calculate. Updated October 25, 2026.
