How much does a well pump cost to run?
$3.77 a month
- A day of use
- $0.12
- An hour of running
- $0.12
- A year
- $45.19
675 W, 1 hour a day of pumping, at the US average of 18.3¢ per kWh (EIA, June 2026). How we calculate this
Change the watts, hours or rate
What it costs at other usage levels
| Use | A day | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour a day typical | $0.12 | $3.77 | $45.19 |
| 2 hours a day | $0.25 | $7.53 | $90.37 |
| 4 hours a day | $0.50 | $15.06 | $180.74 |
| 8 hours a day | $0.99 | $30.12 | $361.48 |
| 24 hours a day | $2.97 | $90.37 | $1,084.44 |
Models range from 250 W to 1,100 W (Virginia Cooperative Extension). We use 675 W, the middle of that range.
Ways to spend less
- Fix leaks and running toilets; every gallon is pumped.
- Check the pressure tank's air charge so the pump doesn't short-cycle.
- Water the garden early in the morning so less evaporates.
What a well pump costs to run in every state
| Rank | State | Rate | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | 13.1¢ | $2.69 | $32.30 |
| 2 | Nebraska | 13.3¢ | $2.72 | $32.64 |
| 3 | Utah | 13.4¢ | $2.75 | $32.94 |
| 4 | Louisiana | 13.5¢ | $2.77 | $33.24 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 14.1¢ | $2.89 | $34.66 |
| 6 | Arkansas | 14.1¢ | $2.90 | $34.79 |
| 7 | North Dakota | 14.1¢ | $2.90 | $34.79 |
| 8 | Kentucky | 14.3¢ | $2.93 | $35.13 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 14.3¢ | $2.94 | $35.31 |
| 10 | Idaho | 14.4¢ | $2.95 | $35.40 |
| 11 | North Carolina | 14.7¢ | $3.03 | $36.32 |
| 12 | Mississippi | 14.9¢ | $3.06 | $36.66 |
| 13 | Washington | 14.9¢ | $3.06 | $36.73 |
| 14 | New Mexico | 15.1¢ | $3.09 | $37.10 |
| 15 | Florida | 15.1¢ | $3.10 | $37.20 |
| 16 | Montana | 15.1¢ | $3.11 | $37.30 |
| 17 | Arizona | 15.2¢ | $3.12 | $37.40 |
| 18 | Wyoming | 15.2¢ | $3.13 | $37.55 |
| 19 | South Dakota | 15.4¢ | $3.15 | $37.84 |
| 20 | West Virginia | 15.5¢ | $3.17 | $38.06 |
| 21 | South Carolina | 15.6¢ | $3.19 | $38.31 |
| 22 | Kansas | 15.7¢ | $3.23 | $38.71 |
| 23 | Iowa | 15.9¢ | $3.27 | $39.25 |
| 24 | Texas | 15.9¢ | $3.27 | $39.27 |
| 25 | Missouri | 16.2¢ | $3.33 | $39.96 |
| 26 | Oregon | 16.3¢ | $3.35 | $40.21 |
| 27 | Georgia | 16.4¢ | $3.36 | $40.31 |
| 28 | Alabama | 16.4¢ | $3.37 | $40.41 |
| 29 | Colorado | 17.1¢ | $3.52 | $42.20 |
| 30 | Virginia | 17.2¢ | $3.54 | $42.43 |
| 31 | Indiana | 17.5¢ | $3.60 | $43.14 |
| 32 | Minnesota | 17.5¢ | $3.60 | $43.16 |
| 33 | Ohio | 19.2¢ | $3.94 | $47.28 |
| 34 | Delaware | 19.3¢ | $3.96 | $47.53 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | 19.6¢ | $4.02 | $48.19 |
| 36 | Illinois | 19.9¢ | $4.08 | $49.00 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | 21.7¢ | $4.46 | $53.54 |
| 38 | Maryland | 21.8¢ | $4.48 | $53.81 |
| 39 | Michigan | 23.0¢ | $4.72 | $56.64 |
| 40 | Connecticut | 24.3¢ | $4.99 | $59.92 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | 24.4¢ | $5.01 | $60.09 |
| 42 | Vermont | 24.4¢ | $5.02 | $60.21 |
| 43 | New Jersey | 25.0¢ | $5.12 | $61.47 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 27.0¢ | $5.55 | $66.55 |
| 45 | Alaska | 28.2¢ | $5.79 | $69.50 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 29.2¢ | $6.00 | $72.02 |
| 47 | New York | 29.5¢ | $6.05 | $72.66 |
| 48 | Maine | 29.6¢ | $6.08 | $72.90 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 29.6¢ | $6.08 | $72.95 |
| 50 | California | 34.7¢ | $7.13 | $85.59 |
| 51 | Hawaii | 52.7¢ | $10.82 | $129.89 |
Questions
How much does it cost to run a well pump per hour?
About $0.12 an hour. A well pump at 675 W uses 0.675 kWh per hour, and at the US average of 18.3¢ per kWh that comes to $0.12.
How much does a well pump add to your electric bill?
Used 1 hour a day of pumping, about $3.77 a month, or $45.19 a year.
How much does it cost to run a well pump 24 hours a day?
Running nonstop, a well pump would use 16.2 kWh a day and cost $2.97 a day, or $90.37 over an average month.
How many watts does a well pump use?
Models range from 250 W to 1,100 W (Virginia Cooperative Extension). We use 675 W, the middle of that range. Check the label on yours: cost scales directly with watts, so a 20% lower wattage means a 20% lower bill.
Which state is cheapest to run a well pump in?
Nevada, at 13.1¢ per kWh: $2.69 a month. The most expensive is Hawaii at 52.7¢ per kWh: $10.82 a month. Same appliance, same hours; only the rate differs.
Sources
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Estimating appliance and home electronic energy use (reproduces U.S. Department of Energy sample wattages)
- Penn State EGEE 102: Typical range of power consumption (wattage)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: average price of electricity to ultimate customers, residential, June 2026 Figures transcribed from republications of this table on September 26, 2026; pending direct verification from the EIA API.
Usage assumptions (hours a day, season) are ours and listed on the methodology page. Found an error? Tell us.