Basic
$133 – $356 each
6 in. canless LED wafer light with a round white trim, fixed warm-white color, dimmable, wired from an existing circuit
How Much Does Recessed Lighting Cost in Washington, District of Columbia?
Install one recessed (can or canless LED) ceiling light including fixture, wiring from an existing circuit and drywall cut, priced per light.
Recessed Lighting in Washington, District of Columbia typically costs $157 to $419 each as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Recessed Lighting in Washington, District of Columbia
$157 – $419
eachPrices in Washington are 5.0% higher than the national average for recessed lighting.
National average: $150 – $400 each
What you get at each price level
Standard
$157 – $419 each
4 in. canless LED wafer with a slim round trim, selectable color temperature, dimmable, wired from an existing circuit
Premium
$196 – $523 each
4 in. canless LED downlight with a deep regressed low-glare trim, high color rendering, selectable color, dimmable
Cost Breakdown in Washington
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $71 – $189 | each |
| Labor | labor | $54 – $146 | each |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $19 – $50 | each |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $13 – $34 | each |
Prices adjusted for Washington local market conditions.
Recessed Lighting photo examples
Recessed ceiling lights glowing in a green-walled room with white blinds
Photo: mccun934 · CC BY 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisBasement room with a row of recessed lights in a drop ceiling
Photo: NLT CONSTRUCTION · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisTwo recessed lights glowing in a kitchen ceiling
Photo: Studio Sarah Lou · CC BY 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisRecessed lights in a bathroom soffit above shuttered windows
Photo: lesliepear · CC BY 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do this
Design styles
See how recessed lighting looks in each style, with photos of real projects by working designers.
Washington style: Federal traditional and contemporary
Washington's row houses and Georgetown Federal buildings set a formal traditional baseline: symmetry, millwork, shutters and period detail. Renovations often keep the shell and insert a crisp contemporary kitchen or bath.
Work by Washington designers first, then the styles Washington draws from.
Built from
Maximalist kitchen
Photo: Zoe Feldman Design · Profile
Traditional living room
Photo: Emora Design Studio · Profile
Traditional interior
Photo: Jo Lyle & Co. · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Angela Rennie Design · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Jo Lyle & Co. · Profile
Traditional bathroom: Modern Glamour Bath
Photo: Kaelyn Schmidt Design
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Studio Catherine Rose · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Studio Palindrome · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Studio Steidley · Profile
Cost Factors in Washington, District of Columbia
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($68.00-$180.00 per unit)
- Labor ($52.00-$140.00 per unit)
- Supplies & Other ($18.00-$48.00 per unit)
- Equipment & Disposal ($12.00-$32.00 per unit)
Local Price Adjustments
Material costs5.0% above avg
Labor costs4.0% above avg
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- Recessed Lighting Installation Cost in 2026, Cans & Fans, cansandfans.com, retrieved Nov 2026
- Construction wages by metro and rural area, used for the labor adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- Regional price parities for goods, used for the materials adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024
Get Free Estimates in Washington
Connect with local recessed lighting contractors in Washington for personalized quotes based on your specific project.