When you make a wire transfer, you can expect to pay somewhere in the range of $15–$30 — but that’s only half the story. Some institutions offer fee-free wire transfers; others charge more than $30. And a wire transfer can have more than one type of fee attached to it, with separate charges for domestic and international transfers, and for outgoing versus incoming wires.
Here are the typical averages across US banks and providers:
| Type | Average fee |
|---|---|
| Incoming domestic | $15 |
| Incoming international | $15 |
| Outgoing domestic | $30 |
| Outgoing international | $45 |
As you can see, outgoing transfers cost more than incoming, and international transfers cost more than domestic. The full picture varies significantly by bank and by how you initiate the transfer. This guide breaks down wire fees at every major US bank so you can find the cheapest option — or avoid the fee entirely.
Wire Transfer Fees by Bank
Each bank has its own fee schedule. The fees below are per transaction for personal accounts only. Banks can and do update their schedules without prior notice, so confirm the current fee with your bank before initiating a transfer.
| Bank | Domestic incoming | Domestic outgoing | International incoming | International outgoing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America | $15 (waiver available on some accounts) | $30 | $15 (waiver available on some accounts) | $45 in USD; $0 in a foreign currency* |
| Wells Fargo | $15 | $30 | $16 | $45 in USD; $35 in a foreign currency |
| Chase | $15 | $25 (online) / $35 (in branch) | $15 | $40 in USD; $5 in a foreign currency |
| USAA | $0 | $20 | $0 | $45 |
| PNC | $15 | $25 (self-service) / $30 (agent-assisted) | $15 | $40 in USD (self-service) / $5 in foreign currency (self-service) / $50 (agent-assisted) |
| Capital One | $15 | $30 | $15 | $40 (branch visit required for international) |
| US Bank | $20 | $30 | $25 | $50 |
| Citibank | $15 | $25 | $15 | $35 |
| TD Bank | $15 | $30 | $15 | $50 |
| Truist | $15 | $30 | $20 | $65 |
*Bank of America’s $0 international outgoing fee for wires sent in a foreign currency still carries exchange rate markups — see below.
A few things stand out. Citibank charges the least for domestic outgoing at a flat $25. USAA waives incoming wire fees entirely in both directions. Truist has the highest international outgoing fee at $65. For banks that offer lower fees when sending in a foreign currency — such as Chase ($5) and PNC ($5 self-service) — the savings can be offset by exchange rate markups applied by the bank.
Additional Fees for International Wires
The stated wire fee is not the only cost of sending money abroad. Many banks apply a markup to the mid-market exchange rate — the rate set by global currency markets — and charge a less favorable “day rate” instead.
This markup is built into the exchange rate itself rather than shown as a separate line item, which means many consumers pay significantly more than they expect. Bank of America’s $0 international outgoing fee when sending in a foreign currency is a clear example: the fee is waived, but exchange rate markups still apply.
An international wire can also pass through several intermediary banks on its way to the destination. Each intermediary bank may add its own charge to the wire. These deductions are taken from the transfer amount, meaning the recipient may receive less than you sent.
Why Do Banks Charge Wire Transfer Fees?
A domestic wire transfer passes through a payment system on its way to the recipient’s account, which incurs a processing cost that banks pass on to the sender.
An international wire costs more because it typically travels through multiple intermediary banks along the SWIFT network before reaching the destination. Each bank along the chain may add its own charge, which is why international fees are consistently and significantly higher than domestic ones.
How to Avoid Wire Transfer Fees
Send the Wire Online
Where your bank distinguishes between online and in-person wires, always choose online. Chase charges $25 for a domestic wire initiated online but $35 for the same wire sent in branch — a $10 difference for the same transfer. Sending online won’t eliminate the fee entirely, but it reduces it without requiring any account changes.
Use a Higher-Level Checking Account
If you send wires regularly, a premium checking account may make financial sense. Some accounts waive incoming and outgoing wire fees entirely — Chase Premier Plus Checking and Citigold Private Client are two such accounts. The catch is that premium accounts typically carry their own monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, so you’ll need to work out whether the wire savings justify the account cost.
Use ACH Transfers
ACH (Automated Clearing House) transfers are free at most banks. The tradeoff is speed: ACH takes one to three business days, compared to same-day for domestic wires. ACH is also not suitable for international transfers. If your payment is not time-sensitive and stays within the US, ACH is almost always the better choice.
Bottom Line
Wire transfer fees at US banks follow a predictable structure: $15–$20 for incoming wires and $20–$65 for outgoing, with international transfers costing significantly more than domestic. Citibank charges the least for domestic outgoing at $25; Truist charges the most for international at $65.
The most straightforward ways to reduce what you pay are to send online rather than in branch, upgrade to a premium account if you wire frequently, or use ACH for non-urgent domestic transfers. For international transfers, always factor in exchange rate markups on top of the stated fee — the total cost is often higher than the headline figure suggests.
Fees are subject to change without notice, so always verify the current schedule with your bank before sending.
For more on transfer limits and alternatives, see wire transfer limits by bank, how long ACH transfers take, Zelle limits, Venmo limits, and Cash App limits. For a broader comparison of all your options, see best ways to send money and the bank fees comparison.
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