How much does it cost to run an electric skillet?
An electric skillet costs about 13¢ per hour, 1.0¢ a day, $0.29 a month and $4 a year at typical use (30 minutes a day, 1 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Electric skillets and woks draw about 1,200-1,500 W and cycle with a thermostat; a 30-minute meal uses about 0.4 kWh.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.11 | 1.9¢ | $0.59 | $7 |
| 2 hours | 0.21 | 3.9¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| 4 hours | 0.43 | 7.7¢ | $2.35 | $28 |
| 8 hours | 0.86 | 15¢ | $4.69 | $56 |
| 12 hours | 1.29 | 23¢ | $7.04 | $84 |
| 24 hours | 2.57 | 46¢ | $14.08 | $169 |
Cost to run an electric skillet in every state
The same electric skillet costs $2 a year in North Dakota and $9 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 9.2¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 9.5¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 9.6¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 9.7¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 10.0¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 10¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 10¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 10¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 10¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 10¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 10¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 10¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 11¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 11¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 11¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 11¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 11¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 11¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 11¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 12¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 12¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 12¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 12¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 12¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 12¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 12¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 12¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 12¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 12¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 13¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 13¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 14¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 14¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 14¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 16¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 16¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 16¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 18¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 18¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 18¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 20¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 20¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 21¢ | $0.46 | $5 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 21¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 22¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 22¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 23¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 25¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 33¢ | $0.71 | $9 |
How to cut the cost
- Use the lid to trap heat and cut cooking time.
- Use it instead of the oven for one-pan meals.
- Lower the temperature setting once food is simmering.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Heats existing pans efficiently and doubles as a burner.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric skillet | 1,500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.29 | $4 |
| Electric griddle | 1,500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.35 | $4 |
| Hot plate | 1,000 | 45 minutes a day | $2.46 | $30 |
| Induction cooktop | 1,800 | 1 hour a day | $4.93 | $59 |
| Electric stove burner | 1,500 | 1 hour a day | $4.93 | $59 |
| Air fryer | 1,500 | 24 minutes a day | $1.97 | $24 |
| Electric kettle | 1,500 | 6 minutes a day | $0.82 | $10 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric skillet per hour?
An electric skillet drawing 1,500 watts uses 0.75 kWh per hour while running (50% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 13¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 9.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 33¢.
How much does it cost to run an electric skillet per month?
At typical use (30 minutes a day, 1 days a week), an electric skillet costs about $0.29 a month and $4 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an electric skillet use?
Most electric skillets use 1,000 to 1,500 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric skillet use?
About 0.05 kWh a day and 20 kWh a year at typical use (30 minutes a day, 1 days a week).
Does an electric skillet use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 20 kWh a year it's a small share (0.2%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an electric skillet or an electric griddle?
At typical use, an electric skillet costs about $4 a year versus $4 for an electric griddle. So the electric skillet is cheaper by about $1 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an electric skillet?
- Use the lid to trap heat and cut cooking time.
- Use it instead of the oven for one-pan meals.
- Lower the temperature setting once food is simmering.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.