Introduction
People search for a Electrical Engineer in Los Angeles for projects where safety, code compliance, and reliable power distribution matter—think tenant improvements, multifamily upgrades, solar + storage integration, EV charging, lighting retrofits, and commercial build-outs that must pass plan check.
This guide explains what an Electrical Engineer does, what you should expect to pay in Los Angeles, how to vet credentials, and which firms are most commonly recognized for electrical engineering work in the region.
Important note on scope: while the title references “Top 10,” only 5 firms are listed below because only these could be included without guessing at details or publishing unverified claims. Where public information (like ratings, direct emails, or pricing) isn’t clearly stated, you’ll see “Not publicly stated” instead of speculation.
About Electrical Engineer
An Electrical Engineer designs, analyzes, and documents electrical systems so buildings, campuses, and infrastructure can operate safely and efficiently. In the built environment, this typically includes power distribution, lighting, emergency systems, grounding, load calculations, short-circuit/arc-flash studies, equipment specifications, and construction administration support.
You usually need an Electrical Engineer when your project requires permitted electrical drawings, a Professional Engineer (PE) stamp, coordination with an architect/MEP team, or technical analysis beyond the scope of a typical electrical contractor. In Los Angeles, this often comes up during tenant improvements, service upgrades, generator and UPS planning, EV charger rollouts, solar readiness, and complex commercial renovations.
Average cost in Los Angeles: pricing varies widely by project type and schedule. Many engineering engagements are proposal-based (a fixed fee tied to scope). If billed hourly, rates can be Varies / depends, commonly seen in higher-cost metro markets as roughly $150–$350+/hour depending on specialization and seniority. Small design packages may start at a few thousand dollars, while complex commercial design or power studies can run significantly higher.
Licensing/certifications: In California, engineering work that is offered to the public and requires responsible charge typically must be performed by (or under the supervision of) a California-licensed Professional Engineer (PE). For permitted construction documents, the PE stamp requirement depends on the project and local jurisdiction.
Key takeaways
- Electrical Engineers focus on design + analysis + permitted documents, not just installation.
- For many permitted projects, you may need a California PE to sign/stamp plans.
- Costs are usually fixed-fee proposals based on scope; hourly billing is less common but does occur.
- The best fit depends on whether you need building design, power studies, commissioning support, or infrastructure-scale work.
How We Selected the Best Electrical Engineer in Los Angeles
We used a practical, editor-style screening process focused on what customers typically need for hiring decisions:
- Years of experience
- Looked for established firms and teams with a track record in electrical engineering.
- Verified customer review signals (publicly available only)
- Included only what is clearly published; otherwise marked Not publicly stated.
- Service range
- Preference for firms covering design, coordination, studies, and construction support.
- Pricing transparency
- Whether the firm publicly describes how pricing works (proposal-based, hourly, etc.).
- Local reputation
- Evidence of ongoing work in the Los Angeles market (office presence, local projects, or known regional practice).
This guide relies on publicly available information when known (primarily official websites and broadly known firm details). If a specific item (ratings, direct contacts, pricing) isn’t clearly published, it’s intentionally not guessed.
About Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a large, infrastructure-dense city with a mix of aging buildings, high-rises, industrial sites, healthcare facilities, entertainment campuses, and rapid growth in EV and energy modernization. That combination drives steady demand for electrical engineering—especially for service upgrades, emergency power planning, Title 24 lighting compliance support (varies / depends by scope), and complicated permitting pathways.
Service demand tends to be strongest where construction volume and retrofit activity are high, including (but not limited to) Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica (varies by firm coverage), Koreatown, Mid-Wilshire, Culver City, Burbank/Glendale (varies / depends), South Bay, and the San Fernando Valley.
Key neighborhoods served: Not publicly stated by many engineering firms, as coverage is typically regional and project-based rather than neighborhood-based.
Top 5 Best Electrical Engineer in Los Angeles
#1 — Arup
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Electrical engineering design (as part of multidisciplinary building services), power distribution planning, lighting design support (varies / depends), resilience and infrastructure coordination, construction-phase engineering support
- Price Range: Not publicly stated (typically proposal-based for consulting engineering)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.arup.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Premium, complex commercial and infrastructure projects needing multidisciplinary coordination
#2 — Syska Hennessy Group
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: MEP electrical engineering for buildings, power and lighting design, systems coordination, construction administration support (varies / depends by office/team), energy-focused electrical upgrades (scope-dependent)
- Price Range: Not publicly stated
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://syska.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Commercial tenants, institutional facilities, projects that need MEP depth and repeatable delivery
#3 — WSP
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Electrical engineering across buildings and infrastructure, power systems planning (scope-dependent), design and engineering advisory services, project delivery support for large programs
- Price Range: Not publicly stated
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.wsp.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Large developments and infrastructure-adjacent projects with complex stakeholders
#4 — Jacobs
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Electrical engineering as part of broader engineering and program delivery, facility and infrastructure electrical design support (varies / depends), technical studies and planning for major projects
- Price Range: Not publicly stated
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.jacobs.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Enterprise clients needing scale, program management, and engineering depth
#5 — Burns & McDonnell
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Electrical engineering for power and facilities (scope-dependent), engineering design and project delivery support, technical planning for energy and infrastructure-related work
- Price Range: Not publicly stated
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.burnsmcd.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary: Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Power/energy-facing projects, industrial and mission-critical style work (scope-dependent)
Comparison Table
| Professional | Rating | Experience | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arup | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Premium, complex multidisciplinary projects |
| Syska Hennessy Group | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Commercial/institutional building engineering |
| WSP | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Large developments and infrastructure-adjacent work |
| Jacobs | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Enterprise programs and large technical projects |
| Burns & McDonnell | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Energy/power and industrial-style projects |
Cost of Hiring a Electrical Engineer in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, the cost to hire a Electrical Engineer is highly dependent on permitting needs, how fast you need deliverables, and whether the work is a small plan set or a complex, multi-discipline design package. Many firms price as a fixed-fee proposal after reviewing scope, existing drawings, and site conditions.
Average price range: Varies / depends. For context, hourly consulting in large metro markets is often quoted around $150–$350+/hour, while fixed-fee design packages can range from a few thousand dollars for limited scopes to tens of thousands for larger commercial projects or detailed studies.
Emergency pricing: true 24/7 “emergency” response is more typical for electrical contractors than consulting engineers. When engineers are asked to respond urgently (same-day site evaluation, rapid letter/report, expedited plan revisions), pricing often increases due to scheduling disruption and overtime—Varies / depends.
What affects cost
- Project type and occupancy (retail vs. healthcare vs. industrial vs. multifamily)
- Permit + plan check requirements and whether a PE stamp is needed
- Existing documentation quality (as-builts available vs. field verification required)
- Speed/expedite needs (rush timelines typically cost more)
- Coordination load (architect, mechanical, fire/life safety, utility, EV vendors)
- Deliverables required (full drawings/specs vs. a study/report only)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Electrical Engineer cost in Los Angeles?
Varies / depends on scope and whether you need permitted drawings. Many projects are fixed-fee, while hourly rates (when used) can commonly fall around $150–$350+/hour in major metros.
How to choose the best Electrical Engineer in Los Angeles?
Prioritize a team that routinely works in Los Angeles jurisdictions, can clearly explain deliverables (plans, calculations, studies), and can confirm whether a California PE will be in responsible charge.
Are licenses required in Los Angeles?
If engineering is offered to the public and requires responsible charge, it generally must be performed by a California-licensed Professional Engineer (PE). Whether your specific permit set requires a PE stamp varies by project and authority having jurisdiction.
What’s the difference between a Electrical Engineer and an electrician?
An electrician typically installs and repairs electrical systems in the field. A Electrical Engineer designs systems, performs calculations/studies, and produces documents used for permitting, bidding, and construction.
Do I need an Electrical Engineer for an EV charger installation in Los Angeles?
Sometimes. If the installation triggers a service upgrade, load calculation requirements, panel changes, or complex permitting, an engineer may be needed. For simpler installs, a qualified electrical contractor may be sufficient—varies / depends.
Who offers 24/7 service in Los Angeles?
Most electrical engineering firms operate during business hours. True 24/7 response is more common with electrical contractors; engineers may be available for urgent requests by arrangement—Not publicly stated for the firms listed.
Can an Electrical Engineer help with LADBS permitting?
Often yes, particularly when drawings, load calculations, and professional stamps are required. Confirm early whether the firm will support plan check comments and resubmittals.
What documents should I prepare before calling an Electrical Engineer?
Bring any existing electrical as-builts, panel schedules, utility bill/load info (if available), equipment cut sheets, architectural plans, and a clear scope statement (what you’re building or upgrading, and by when).
How long does electrical design take for a commercial project in Los Angeles?
Varies / depends. Timeline is driven by project complexity, coordination needs, and how quickly stakeholders provide decisions and existing documentation. Plan check cycles can also extend schedules.
Will an Electrical Engineer provide stamped drawings?
If the project requires it, stamped drawings are typically provided under the responsible charge of a California PE. Confirm stamping, jurisdiction, and deliverables in the proposal before starting.
Final Recommendation
If you’re an owner, developer, or facilities team planning a complex commercial, institutional, or infrastructure-adjacent project in Los Angeles, start with firms built for multidisciplinary coordination and scale—Arup, WSP, or Jacobs are often a better match for high-stakes work where process and documentation matter.
If you want a building-focused MEP partner for repeatable tenant improvements, facility upgrades, and coordinated design support, Syska Hennessy Group is a practical short-list option.
For energy- and power-facing scopes (where the electrical piece is central and potentially study-driven), Burns & McDonnell may be a strong fit depending on the exact project requirements and local team availability.
Because pricing and availability are rarely posted publicly, request proposals from 2–3 firms, compare deliverables line-by-line (not just the fee), and confirm who will be the PE in responsible charge.
Get Your Business Listed
If you’re a Electrical Engineer serving Los Angeles and want your details added or updated in this guide, email contact@professnow.com. You can also registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/.