Replacing a pendant light usually ends up somewhere between 150 and a couple thousand dollars all in. That number includes the new fixture and the labor to install it. Where you land in that range depends on how simple the swap is and what is hiding behind the old canopy.
If you are replacing one pendant with another and the wiring is already there, the job is pretty straightforward. An electrician takes down the old fixture, checks that the ceiling box is secure and rated for the weight, connects the wires, and mounts the new light. For a standard ceiling height and a basic fixture, labor often falls between 100 and 300 dollars.
The price climbs if the pendant is heavy, the ceiling is tall, or the existing electrical box is not properly supported. Some boxes are not rated to hold substantial weight, and reinforcing them adds time. If outdated wiring needs to be corrected or brought up to code, that can add to the cost as well.
Then there is the fixture itself. You can find simple pendants under 100 dollars, but higher quality pieces with better materials and stronger presence can run several hundred or more.
If the wiring is in place and everything checks out, replacement is usually manageable. If structural or electrical updates are needed, expect the total to move up quickly.