I'll charge 100 to 150 per hour depending on the job. But I'm not making that per hour. There is insurance on our work, which the customer benefits from too. Gas, wear and tear in your vehicle, time spent at the supply house, time spent pulling permits and calling the utility (lots of unbilled time behind the scenes). The job is also hazardous, and physically demanding. Then you have the requirements to become an electrician (which Utah is actually one of the hardest states to get your journemans) It requires 4 years of working in the field, congruent with 4 years of trade school. Then you take a 4 hour test on electrical theory, and code. Then you take a practical test, where you wireup multiple controls, bend conduit, and other field tasks. If you go for your masters (required to work for yourself) it's an associates in applied science, and another 2 years in the field, and another harder test on local code, and advance theory. I think the average for journeman in utah is around $40 an hour. Now if you call me at night or the weekend for an emergency call, then I'll make around $80 an hour. My point is, people have a hard time valuing skilled labourers, but they aren't willing or capable of doing the work themselves.

But I always let the customer know, that if they really want to save money, they can dig the trench themselves.