How Much Does Air Conditioner Repair Cost?
$150 – $700
National average: $375 per repair
Interactive worksheet
AC repair cost calculator
Set the scope, size, and state — the tally updates as you go. Built from this guide's figures and BLS state wage data.
01 Quality & scope
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State figures apply BLS construction wages (2025) at a 60% labor weight — how we estimate.
Your estimate
- Labor ≈60%
- $225
- Materials & equipment
- $150
- Planning range
- $338 – $413
low $150 $700 high
U.S. construction trades average $65,360/yr (BLS 2025).
Get three written bids. One far under $300 usually means missing scope — ask what's not included. Far over $450, ask what's driving the number.
More Heating & Cooling: Central AC Replacement ·HVAC Replacement ·Heat Pump Installation ·Mini Split Installation ·Furnace Replacement
When the AC quits in a heat wave, the first question is “how bad is it?” Most air conditioner repairs cost $150 to $700 in 2026, averaging around $375 — but a major component like a compressor can run several times that.
What you’re paying for
Every repair starts with a service call ($75–$200) to diagnose the issue, often credited toward the fix. From there, the cost depends entirely on the failed part: a capacitor is a quick, cheap swap, while a coil or compressor is a major job. The table below breaks it down.
Cost by repair
The single biggest variable is which part failed. Capacitors and contactors are the most common (and cheapest) fixes; compressors and coils are the expensive ones that push you toward replacement.
Repair or replace?
A useful rule: if the repair costs more than about a third of a new system and your AC is past 10–12 years, replacement usually wins — you stop sinking money into an aging unit and gain efficiency. A $250 capacitor on a 6-year-old system is an easy fix; a $2,500 compressor on a 14-year-old unit is not.
The refrigerant factor
If your system is old and low on refrigerant, note that older refrigerants are being phased out and are increasingly expensive. A persistent leak plus pricey recharges is often a sign it’s time to replace rather than keep topping up.
How to save on AC repair
- Maintain it — annual tune-ups catch small issues before they become big ones.
- Replace the capacitor first if that’s the diagnosis; it’s the cheapest common fix.
- Get a second opinion before approving a compressor or full replacement.
- Avoid emergency calls by servicing before peak summer.
| Component | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic / service call | $75 – $200 | – |
| Capacitor or contactor | $100 – $400 | – |
| Refrigerant recharge | $200 – $700 | – |
| Fan motor | $300 – $700 | – |
| Evaporator / condenser coil | $600 – $2,000 | – |
| Compressor | $1,000 – $3,000 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitor / contactor | $100 – $400 | Most common fix |
| Refrigerant leak + recharge | $200 – $1,500 | – |
| Fan motor | $300 – $700 | – |
| Evaporator coil | $600 – $2,000 | – |
| Compressor | $1,000 – $3,000 | Often replace the unit instead |
What affects the price
- The failed part A capacitor is cheap; a compressor or coil is a major repair approaching replacement cost.
- Refrigerant type Older systems use phased-out refrigerant that's increasingly expensive to recharge.
- System age Repairs on a unit past 12–15 years are often money better spent on replacement.
- Emergency timing After-hours and peak-summer calls carry premiums.
AC repair cost by state
Where you live moves the price as much as any option you pick, because labor is a big share of the bill and construction wages differ sharply by state. Adjusted with BLS wage data (2025), a typical ac repair job runs about $180 – $820/unit in Hawaii (+17%) versus $130 – $600/unit in Arkansas (−15%).
See the typical range in all 50 states + D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $130 – $610/unit |
| Alaska | $170 – $800/unit |
| Arizona | $140 – $670/unit |
| Arkansas | $130 – $600/unit |
| California | $170 – $780/unit |
| Colorado | $150 – $700/unit |
| Connecticut | $160 – $750/unit |
| Delaware | $150 – $690/unit |
| District of Columbia | $160 – $760/unit |
| Florida | $140 – $640/unit |
| Georgia | $140 – $640/unit |
| Hawaii | $180 – $820/unit |
| Idaho | $140 – $660/unit |
| Illinois | $170 – $800/unit |
| Indiana | $150 – $710/unit |
| Iowa | $150 – $680/unit |
| Kansas | $140 – $670/unit |
| Kentucky | $140 – $650/unit |
| Louisiana | $140 – $630/unit |
| Maine | $150 – $690/unit |
| Maryland | $150 – $700/unit |
| Massachusetts | $170 – $800/unit |
| Michigan | $150 – $700/unit |
| Minnesota | $160 – $760/unit |
| Mississippi | $130 – $610/unit |
| Missouri | $150 – $710/unit |
| Montana | $150 – $690/unit |
| Nebraska | $140 – $660/unit |
| Nevada | $150 – $720/unit |
| New Hampshire | $150 – $690/unit |
| New Jersey | $170 – $800/unit |
| New Mexico | $140 – $640/unit |
| New York | $170 – $770/unit |
| North Carolina | $140 – $630/unit |
| North Dakota | $150 – $710/unit |
| Ohio | $150 – $700/unit |
| Oklahoma | $140 – $640/unit |
| Oregon | $170 – $770/unit |
| Pennsylvania | $150 – $710/unit |
| Rhode Island | $160 – $730/unit |
| South Carolina | $140 – $640/unit |
| South Dakota | $140 – $630/unit |
| Tennessee | $140 – $640/unit |
| Texas | $140 – $640/unit |
| Utah | $140 – $660/unit |
| Vermont | $150 – $680/unit |
| Virginia | $140 – $670/unit |
| Washington | $170 – $810/unit |
| West Virginia | $140 – $670/unit |
| Wisconsin | $160 – $730/unit |
| Wyoming | $150 – $690/unit |
Estimates apply each state's BLS construction-wage multiplier to this guide's national range, a planning number, not a quote. Browse the full state cost guides or our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does AC repair cost on average?
- Most repairs run $150–$700, averaging about $375. Minor fixes like a capacitor are $100–$300, while a compressor replacement is $1,000–$3,000.
- When should I repair vs. replace my AC?
- A good rule: if the repair costs more than about a third of a new system and your unit is past 10–12 years, replacement is usually the smarter spend — especially for compressor or coil failures.
- Why is a compressor so expensive?
- The compressor is the heart of the system and labor-intensive to replace. At $1,000–$3,000, it often costs nearly as much as a new condenser, so many homeowners replace instead.
- How much is a refrigerant recharge?
- A recharge runs $200–$700, but a leak should be found and fixed first — repeatedly recharging a leaking system wastes money and refrigerant.
- Is there a service call fee?
- Yes — most companies charge $75–$200 to diagnose the problem, often credited toward the repair if you proceed.
- What are common AC problems?
- Failed capacitors, low refrigerant from leaks, frozen evaporator coils, clogged condensate drains, and worn fan motors are the most common service calls.
How we estimate: ranges reflect typical U.S. pricing for materials and professional installation, compiled and cross-checked against the current (2026) industry sources listed below (see our data & methodology). Your actual cost depends on your location, project size, material grade, and local labor rates — always get multiple written quotes before you commit.
Sources
Cost ranges on this page were checked against current (2026) data from these industry sources:
- AC Repair Cost in 2026 — Fixr
- Air Conditioner Repair Cost (2026 Pricing) — This Old House
- 2026 HVAC Repairs Cost Guide — Angi