How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Circuit Breaker? (Price Guide)

A circuit breaker is the switch in your electrical panel that cuts power to a circuit when it overloads or shorts. Replacing one is a short job for an electrician, and the part itself is not the main expense. Most of the bill comes from labor, the type of breaker, and any permit your area requires.

This page covers what published guides report, with a check date of Oct 14, 2026. Work inside an electrical panel carries a risk of shock and fire, so it should be done by a licensed electrician. Nothing here is a guide to doing it yourself.

A standard breaker costs less than one with built-in protection. Ground fault breakers (GFCI) guard against shock in damp areas, and arc fault breakers (AFCI) guard against dangerous sparking in wiring. The row below shows a GFCI breaker installed.

Upgrading an existing breaker to AFCI or GFCI protection adds a separate cost per breaker.

The main breaker controls power to the whole house, so it is a bigger job than swapping a single circuit breaker. The two guides below give very different ranges.

One reason for the gap is scope. A simple swap costs far less than a case where internal parts such as the bus bar are damaged, and some guides may fold that wider repair into their number. If your electrician says the panel itself is damaged, ask for a quote on the full repair or replacement.

The headline range applies to a single breaker switch. Guides may differ on whether they include the electrician's visit fee, the breaker itself, and permit costs. Local labor rates also matter, and so does how easy the panel is to reach.

Breakers are built to trip. A breaker that trips again and again, will not reset, feels hot, or shows scorch marks can point to a problem with the breaker, the circuit, or the panel. Do not assume the breaker is the cause. A licensed electrician can find out whether the breaker is faulty or something on the circuit is overloading it, and replacing a breaker that is doing its job can hide a wiring fault.

Electricians often charge a visit fee or a minimum, so a single quick swap can cost the same as two or three done in one trip. If you have other small electrical jobs, such as a loose outlet or a flickering fixture, ask the electrician to handle them together. Have the panel clear and accessible, and tell the electrician which circuits trip and when.

Rules for permits and who may work on a panel depend on your state and city. Many places require a licensed electrician for panel work, and some require a permit and inspection for larger jobs. Check with your local building department before you book. Hiring a licensed, insured electrician also protects you if something goes wrong later, and an unlicensed repair can cause trouble with home insurance or a future sale.

• Is the quote for the breaker alone, or does it include labor and the visit fee?
• Is the replacement breaker the same brand and type that your panel requires?
• Does the work need a permit, and who arranges it?
• Will you test the circuit afterward?
• If the panel is old or damaged, do you recommend more than a breaker swap?