How Much Does It Cost for an Electrician to Install Outdoor Lighting? [2026 Data]

The average electrician cost to install outdoor light is $4,000, though you will probably spend between $2,000 and $6,000. Depending on the type and number of lights, along with any wiring and landscaping needs, you could spend up to $15,000 or more on this project. 

Outdoor lighting is an elegant addition to your outdoor space, adding charm to your landscaping and increasing your home’s security. However, electrical work can be tricky and dangerous, especially when installing an extensive outdoor lighting system. It’s best to hire a professional electrician for outdoor and landscape lighting installation.

Why Hire a Professional Electrician for Outdoor Lighting

For a seemingly simple project, there’s a lot of work that goes into installing outdoor lighting. Contracting with a professional electrician is the best way to ensure your lighting is installed correctly and that the electrical work is up to code for your area.

An electrician with a verified license also provides peace of mind. If any property damage occurs as a result of the installation, it won't be on your shoulders to foot the bill for repairs.

Installing Outdoor Lighting Cost Breakdown

Outdoor and landscape lighting adds brightness and charm to your yard. Let’s take a look at the cost factors to consider when budgeting for your project, keeping in mind that an electrician near you can give you a personalized and detailed quote for your specific project.  

Type of Lighting

You can spend anywhere from $50 to $500 or more per light fixture, depending on the type of outdoor lighting you choose. For example, pathway lights cost the least, while outdoor security lights cost the most on average. 

Type of Bulb

Light bulbs cost anywhere from $0.50 to $35 each. The type of light bulb your outdoor lighting needs can largely impact the cost of the light fixture. Incandescent light bulbs are the lowest in price but have a lower lifespan than the other options, while high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs cost the most, have a long lifespan, and powerful lighting. 

Here’s a breakdown of the different lightbulb types and their costs:

Labor

The cost to hire an electrician falls between $50 and $100 per hour on average. Your pro electrician will likely provide an estimate based on the project size, type, complexity, and time commitment. Most electricians charge more for the first hour of labor than for subsequent hours, so anticipate spending at least $150 for that initial hour.

Wiring

Wiring an outdoor light fixture costs between $2 and $4 per linear foot. Lighting that is located in difficult-to-reach areas or far away from the house will need more wiring and therefore has a higher labor and installation cost.

Landscape

If you have a mature landscape, this can take longer for your pro to navigate around and install the necessary electrical wiring and lighting. With that in mind, you should anticipate spending more on outdoor light installation for busy yards with many trees, shrubs, hardscaping, and uneven terrain.

Digging Trenches

Digging a trench costs between $4 and $12 per linear foot. If you want to hide a new electrical cable, the best way to keep it out of sight is to dig a trench and bury the wire. Doing so, however, will add to the cost of your project. Labor for trench digging typically costs $5.75 per linear foot, so budget the additional labor expense into your project budget.

Replacement 

Most existing exterior light fixtures cost between $65 and $175 each to replace. Most new lights cost at least $20 for the materials, plus the labor cost of replacement by a professional electrician. 

Cost by Type of Outdoor Light Fixture Installed

Let’s take a deep dive into the different prices you might encounter based on the type of outdoor light fixture.

Downlights

This type of lighting is recessed into the ceiling, which is perfect for an enclosed patio or screened-in porch. The cost to install downlights in your outdoor space is between $100 and $400 each. You’ll pay $250 on average for this type of installation. Downlights are installed high up on your home’s exterior or in a tree or other high structure.

Floodlights

Floodlights cost between $75 and $250 each or an average of $150 to install. This may include the pole installation, but you’ll want to check with your electrician before starting work. Floodlights typically go up high on a pole or home and shine a bright light onto the ground for security purposes. Motion-sensor floodlights will cost more, at an average cost of $425 for first-time installation.

Low-Voltage Landscape Light

A low-voltage landscape light costs anywhere from $100 to $150 or an average of $125. Due to the lower voltage, you’ll need an electrician to install a 12-volt transformer to reduce the load on your home’s electric supply and electric bill.

Outdoor Security Light

Outdoor security lights cost between $350 and $500 each or an average of $425 per light. Security lights have motion sensors that go off when an intruder—or even a sneaky raccoon—walks by and sets them off. This automated security feature shines a bright light that helps deter intruders.

Porch Lights

You’ll pay $150 on average to install a porchlight, or between $75 and $250 each. You’ll spend more if you need to also have an electrician install an exterior power source to the porch lighting. However, you can avoid this expense by choosing solar-power porch lights.

Why You Should Hire an Electrician

For a seemingly simple project, there’s a lot of work that goes into installing outdoor lighting. You’ll need to hire a licensed electrician near you to ensure your lighting is installed correctly, and some homeowners also hire a landscaper to design the layout of the fixtures. While you might save money by DIYing, improper electrical work poses a serious safety risk—and that’s before factoring in potential property damage.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire an electrician

You should always work with a licensed electrician when installing an outdoor light fixture for the following reasons:

• DIY electrical work comes with a risk of electrical shock, severe injury, and fire.

• Outdoor wiring must be weatherproofed to prevent it from becoming an electrical hazard in rain, humidity, and certain temperature conditions.

• Licensed electricians are familiar with outdoor electrical code, which mandates specific wiring depths, conduit types, and weatherproof fixtures.

• Larger jobs can require trenching, which requires a significant amount of labor and risks damaging underground utilities.

• Pros know how to meet permitting and inspection standards to avoid overloading your existing circuits.

• DIY wiring can void your homeowner’s insurance in the event of damage or injury.

• Reputable pros carry insurance and may offer warranties, so you’re covered if something goes wrong.

• Professional installation can help prevent common issues such as shorts, flickering, and fixture failure.

Will a Landscape Contractor Install Outdoor Lighting?

Many landscape contractors can help you design the layout, placement, and plantings around your outdoor lighting, and some may even have an electrician on staff for projects like this. If they don’t have a staff electrician, though, most landscape lighting companies near you can refer you to an electrician they trust and who is familiar with outdoor lighting work.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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