How Much Does Generator Installation Cost? (2026)
Generator Installation costs $4,000–$15,000 in the US in 2026, with most jobs landing near $8,000. Installation of a standby generator on a pad with an automatic transfer switch, gas line connection, and wiring to the panel for backup power. Includes commissioning and a run test.
Low, average and high
- Low end: $4,000 (simple job, basic materials)
- National average: $8,000
- High end: $15,000 (complex or premium)
What's included in generator installation
Installation of a standby generator on a pad with an automatic transfer switch, gas line connection, and wiring to the panel for backup power. Includes commissioning and a run test. Typical time on site: 1 to 2 days.
What changes the price
- Generator wattage
- Transfer switch type
- Gas line run and hookup
- Concrete pad work
- Distance to panel
Electrical labor runs about $30 per hour nationally and is usually 40-60% of a generator installation quote; the rest is materials, permits and disposal.
Generator Installation cost by state (2026)
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $3,592 | $7,184 | $13,470 |
| Alaska | $5,216 | $10,432 | $19,560 |
| Arizona | $4,048 | $8,096 | $15,180 |
| Arkansas | $3,504 | $7,008 | $13,140 |
| California | $4,968 | $9,936 | $18,630 |
| Colorado | $4,352 | $8,704 | $16,320 |
| Connecticut | $4,624 | $9,248 | $17,340 |
| Delaware | $4,152 | $8,304 | $15,570 |
| District of Columbia | $5,072 | $10,144 | $19,020 |
| Florida | $3,888 | $7,776 | $14,580 |
| Georgia | $3,816 | $7,632 | $14,310 |
| Hawaii | $5,584 | $11,168 | $20,940 |
| Idaho | $3,880 | $7,760 | $14,550 |
| Illinois | $4,392 | $8,784 | $16,470 |
| Indiana | $3,776 | $7,552 | $14,160 |
| Iowa | $3,712 | $7,424 | $13,920 |
| Kansas | $3,736 | $7,472 | $14,010 |
| Kentucky | $3,648 | $7,296 | $13,680 |
| Louisiana | $3,808 | $7,616 | $14,280 |
| Maine | $4,144 | $8,288 | $15,540 |
| Maryland | $4,496 | $8,992 | $16,860 |
| Massachusetts | $4,768 | $9,536 | $17,880 |
| Michigan | $3,984 | $7,968 | $14,940 |
| Minnesota | $4,208 | $8,416 | $15,780 |
| Mississippi | $3,408 | $6,816 | $12,780 |
| Missouri | $3,800 | $7,600 | $14,250 |
| Montana | $3,944 | $7,888 | $14,790 |
| Nebraska | $3,712 | $7,424 | $13,920 |
| Nevada | $4,128 | $8,256 | $15,480 |
| New Hampshire | $4,224 | $8,448 | $15,840 |
| New Jersey | $4,608 | $9,216 | $17,280 |
| New Mexico | $3,712 | $7,424 | $13,920 |
| New York | $4,832 | $9,664 | $18,120 |
| North Carolina | $3,864 | $7,728 | $14,490 |
| North Dakota | $3,984 | $7,968 | $14,940 |
| Ohio | $3,872 | $7,744 | $14,520 |
| Oklahoma | $3,680 | $7,360 | $13,800 |
| Oregon | $4,288 | $8,576 | $16,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $4,120 | $8,240 | $15,450 |
| Rhode Island | $4,424 | $8,848 | $16,590 |
| South Carolina | $3,792 | $7,584 | $14,220 |
| South Dakota | $3,712 | $7,424 | $13,920 |
| Tennessee | $3,776 | $7,552 | $14,160 |
| Texas | $3,888 | $7,776 | $14,580 |
| Utah | $4,000 | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Vermont | $4,032 | $8,064 | $15,120 |
| Virginia | $4,136 | $8,272 | $15,510 |
| Washington | $4,496 | $8,992 | $16,860 |
| West Virginia | $3,608 | $7,216 | $13,530 |
| Wisconsin | $3,920 | $7,840 | $14,700 |
| Wyoming | $3,912 | $7,824 | $14,670 |
Generator Installation cost in major cities
- Generator Installation cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Generator Installation cost in Chicago, IL
- Generator Installation cost in New York City, NY
- Generator Installation cost in Dallas, TX
- Generator Installation cost in Washington DC, DC
- Generator Installation cost in Philadelphia, PA
- Generator Installation cost in Atlanta, GA
- Generator Installation cost in Miami, FL
- Generator Installation cost in Phoenix, AZ
- Generator Installation cost in Boston, MA
- Generator Installation cost in Detroit, MI
- Generator Installation cost in Seattle, WA
- Generator Installation cost in Minneapolis, MN
- Generator Installation cost in Denver, CO
- Generator Installation cost in St. Louis, MO
- Generator Installation cost in Baltimore, MD
- Generator Installation cost in Charlotte, NC
- Generator Installation cost in Portland, OR
- Generator Installation cost in Las Vegas, NV
- Generator Installation cost in Cincinnati, OH
- Generator Installation cost in Indianapolis, IN
- Generator Installation cost in Nashville, TN
- Generator Installation cost in Milwaukee, WI
- Generator Installation cost in Oklahoma City, OK
Common questions
How much does generator installation cost in 2026?
Generator Installation costs $4,000–$15,000 nationally, with the average job at $8,000. Installation of a standby generator on a pad with an automatic transfer switch, gas line connection, and wiring to the panel for backup power. Includes commissioning and a run test.
What makes generator installation more expensive?
The main cost drivers are generator wattage, transfer switch type, gas line run and hookup, concrete pad work. Labor runs about $30 per hour nationally and is usually 40-60% of the quote.
How long does generator installation take?
A typical generator installation job takes 1 to 2 days, plus any permit and inspection time your city requires.
How do I get an accurate generator installation quote?
Get at least three written quotes from local contractors that list the scope, materials, permit handling and warranty. Prices vary by state and city, so use the state table and city pages here to sanity-check what you are quoted.
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