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How much does dryer heating element replacement cost in California?
Updated September 2026 · California price index 1.12 for appliance repair work (national = 1.00)
In California, an appliance repair company typically charges $110 to $390 to replace a dryer heating element, with most jobs landing near $270. That is about 12% above the national average of $100–$350, based on what appliance repair technicians earn in California.
AI-powered second opinion using these same California figures. No account, no card. Need someone to do the work? Verified pros in California took the Fair Price Pledge.
What a California quote means
| Quote for this job | What it means |
|---|---|
| Under $66 | Suspiciously low — ask what is excluded, and check licensing and insurance |
| $66 – $429 | Fair price — inside the typical range (up to 10% over the top is still normal) |
| $429 – $683 | Running high — get the quote itemized, and get a second one |
| Over $683 | Ripoff territory — more than 1.75× the high end of the typical range |
Same rules the QuoteJury checker uses on every quote.
What you're paying for
What is usually included: Diagnosis, the heating element (and usually the thermal fuse or high-limit thermostat), installation and testing, in about an hour.
What moves the price:
- Whether the thermal fuse, thermostat or cycling thermostat also failed
- Brand and model of the element
- A clogged vent, which is often the underlying cause and should be cleaned
- Service-call fee relative to the part
The part is cheap ($20-$100 for most brands); price is mostly the service call plus 1-2 hours labor, with premium brands (Samsung, LG) and assembly-kit elements costing more.
Dryer heating element replacement cost across California
Typical range by metro and rural area, from BLS wage data for appliance repair technicians in each area.
| Area | Typical range | Most jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $110 – $380 | $260 |
| Chico, CA | $105 – $370 | $260 |
| El Centro, CA | $105 – $370 | $250 |
| Fresno, CA | $105 – $360 | $250 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $105 – $370 | $260 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115 – $400 | $270 |
| Merced, CA | $105 – $370 | $260 |
| Modesto, CA | $110 – $380 | $260 |
| Napa, CA | $110 – $390 | $260 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $100 – $350 | $240 |
| Redding, CA | $105 – $370 | $260 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $105 – $370 | $250 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $115 – $400 | $270 |
| Salinas, CA | $105 – $370 | $260 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $100 – $340 | $240 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $125 – $440 | $300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $130 – $450 | $310 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $110 – $380 | $260 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $110 – $380 | $260 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $110 – $380 | $260 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $115 – $410 | $280 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $105 – $370 | $260 |
| Vallejo, CA | $110 – $390 | $270 |
| Visalia, CA | $105 – $370 | $250 |
| Yuba City, CA | $110 – $380 | $260 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $110 – $380 | $260 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $105 – $380 | $260 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $110 – $380 | $260 |
Frequently asked
Is $270 a fair price for dryer heating element replacement in California?
Yes. $270 is right around what most homeowners in California pay. Anything from $66 to $429 is inside the normal range for an appliance repair company; above $429 it is worth getting a second quote.
Why do quotes for the same job vary so much?
Whether the thermal fuse, thermostat or cycling thermostat also failed. Brand and model of the element. Company overhead matters too: a large company with trucks, dispatchers and a warranty department charges more than a one-person shop, and both can be honest prices.
When should I get a second quote?
Any time a quote lands above $429, or when the contractor cannot break it into parts, labor and fees. Ask for the itemized version, ask what would change the price, and confirm licensing and insurance. You can also paste the quote into the free QuoteJury checker for an instant second opinion.
Other appliance repair jobs in California
- Appliance repair service call and diagnostic fee
- Refrigerator repair
- Refrigerator compressor replacement
- Refrigerator ice maker repair or replacement
- Washing machine repair
- Washer drum bearing or transmission replacement
- Dryer repair
- Dishwasher repair
- Dishwasher drain pump or motor replacement
- Gas oven or range igniter replacement
- Electric oven heating element replacement
- Built-in or over-the-range microwave repair
- Dishwasher installation (replacing an existing one)
Dryer heating element replacement in other states
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Sources
- Angi (2026): $100–$350 nationally
- HomeGuide (2026): $150–$350 nationally
- Fixr (2025): $150–$250 nationally
- HomeGuide (2024): $150–$350 nationally
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 — median hourly wages by state and metro area
About these numbers. Ranges are typical market rates for a licensed, insured contractor, blended from published U.S. cost guides and adjusted with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data (OEWS, May 2025) for each state and metro area. They are estimates, not a bid, appraisal or inspection. Real prices move with parts, access, permits and code requirements. The quote checker is AI-powered and labeled as such.