How Much Does Pool Light Replacement Cost? [2026 Data]

Picture this: you head outside for your first early-morning laps of the swimming season, only to notice your pool lights have burned out. You’ll need to budget $625 per light on average for pool light replacement costs, but they start at $450 and can jump to $1,700 if you’re replacing specialty lights.

From lighting the way during early swimming exercises to keeping guests safe during late-night summer cookouts, pool lights do a lot of work for us. However, they require special features to protect the electrical components from the pool water, which is why pool lights tend to be more expensive than traditional light bulbs for indoor use.

Pool Light Replacement Cost Factors

The total cost to replace pool lights depends on several factors, including the number of pool lights needed, the type of pool lights, and labor costs if you choose to hire a local swimming pool repair company to handle the job.

Type of Pool Light

Pool light replacements may cost around $450 to $1,700, depending on the light type. Energy-saving LED pool lights cost around $700 to $900 for smaller models or $1,000 to $1,500 for larger units, but they’ll need to be replaced less often than other pool light types. Incandescent bulbs are the least expensive option, costing around $450 to $650 per bulb, but they only last about 1,000 hours before they need replacing.  

Fiber optic pool lights cost around $1,300 to $1,700. While they can offer cool color-changing technology, they’ve become less popular compared to LED lights, which also are available in various colors and tend to be brighter.

LED

LED pool light replacements cost about $700 to $1,500 each, or around $50 to $650 for the light bulb, depending on the size of the light. While these costs may seem expensive at first, there are many long-term savings benefits of LED lights. For one, with a lifespan of about 20,000 to 30,000 hours, you’ll rarely need to replace your LED lights. LED lights also offer impressively bright light without consuming much energy, meaning your utility bills will also be less expensive.

Fiber Optics

Fiber optic pool light replacement costs about $1,300 to $1,700, or about $20 to $60 just to replace the bulb. Fiber optic lights offer a more subtle glow, ideal if you aren’t looking for something that will light up the whole backyard. Fiber optics have become less popular with the rise of LED pool lights. They don’t last quite as long as LEDs, but they will last about three to seven years, giving them a benefit over incandescents.

Incandescents

Incandescent pool light replacements cost around $450 to $650 per fixture or about $20 to $70 for a new light bulb. These lights are the least expensive type of pool light, but they won’t last quite as long as fiber optic or LED pool lights. Incandescent pool lights last about 1,000 to 5,000 hours, usually about one to three years of use.

Number of Pool Lights Needed

Pool lights cost about $625 each, and replacements are typically sold individually. Unless your swimming pool is older and all the lights are due for an upgrade, you’ll usually only need to replace one light at a time as each light burns out or becomes damaged.

Existing Wiring

Making changes to the pool wiring costs around $350 to $4,000. You’ll need to hire an electrician to handle the electrical work, which costs around $50 to $100 per hour, and you’ll likely need to file for building permits, about $50 to $350 each, and pay up to $100 for electrical wiring inspections.

Labor

For broken pool lights you should call a professional pool service or a pool electrician, who will charge about $50 to $100 per hour. You may feel confident in changing a light bulb in your bedroom lamp or kitchen track lighting, but changing a pool light can be riskier for untrained homeowners since you’ll be handling electrical parts and wiring in close contact with water.

Ongoing Pool Light Costs

Sometimes, you may find that not only the light fixture needs to be replaced, but the wiring needs to be updated too. You might decide you want more pool lights than you currently have, and you’ll need an electrician to install additional wiring, or you may need to upgrade the pool wiring as you transition from fiber optic pool lights to LEDs.

Maintenance

Swimming pool maintenance costs about $110 to $375 per month. You’ll spend about $300 a year for the electricity, and you’ll also want to consider either keeping up with cleaning and repairs yourself or hiring a local pool service for around $75 to $100 per hour. When hiring a pool maintenance pro, you can opt for monthly or seasonal maintenance contracts. By keeping your pool clean and in good condition, the pool parts, including lighting, will last longer before needing replacement. 

Repairs 

Pool light repair costs about $65 to $150 per light and may involve replacing a worn-out gasket or conduit seal. You can also repair a pool light by swapping out a burned-out bulb for a new one, which costs about $20 to $100.

How to Save on Pool Light Replacement

Replacing pool lights can give some people sticker shock when compared to the cost of standard indoor light bulbs. While the higher cost is due to added safety features for pool lights, you can still save money on replacements with a few handy tips.

Ask About Discounts

Are you ordering multiple lights from a pool company? Check in about discounts for ordering items in bulk. Some companies may also offer sales on pool products in fall and winter, when fewer people are buying them. 

Opt for LEDs

Hear us out—while the up-front cost of LED pool lights is more expensive than incandescent or fiber optic lights, you’ll actually save money in the long run. LED pool lights use less energy and need to be replaced far less often, about every ten years, compared to the other pool light types.

Replace Just the Bulbs

If your light fixtures are in good shape, you can save money by only replacing the inner light bulb rather than the entire unit. Pool light bulbs are about $20 to $100 each, while the whole unit will cost about $625. Of course, if the unit is old or in poor condition, it’s important to replace the whole thing to minimize risk of electrocution from a faulty pool light.

Repair vs. Replace

Maybe the gasket of the pool light needs to be upgraded, but the rest of the fixture is in good shape. If your pool light can be repaired, hold off on a replacement. Repairing a pool light costs about $65 to $150 per light, compared to replacing a light for around $625.

Why You Should Hire a Pool Light Replacement Pro

To replace a pool light yourself, you’ll spend $100 to $500 for the replacement light and bulb, or about $20 to $100 for just the light bulbs. But handling electrical components in a pool filled with water poses shock risks, so this job is best left to a pool repair expert near you. You’ll pay $625 per light for a professional to replace the pool lights.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a pool light replacement pro

While replacing a pool light may seem straightforward, it’s best to hire a professional for the job. Here’s why:

• Professionals know how to replace pool lights while preventing shocks and short circuits safely.

• Experienced pros have the right tools and equipment to remove and install lights and underwater fixtures.

• DIY replacements can lead to system failure, safety hazards, and costly electrical repairs.

• Reputable pros carry insurance and offer warranties for added protection.

• Professionally installed pool lights can boost the safety, aesthetics, and value of your home.

If you want to DIY pool light replacement

To help out your pro, consider taking on the following tasks:

• Remove pool toys, outdoor furniture, and plants from the work area

• Clean the pool deck and clear obstacles to provide your pro with easy access

• Reinstall poolside lights, decor, and accessories after the job is complete

• Keep tools nearby and easily accessible for your pro

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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