How much does it cost to run a well pump?
EIA data · June 2026About $6.69 a month at the U.S. average price of 18.34¢ per kilowatt-hour — but that figure moves a long way depending on where you live. Set your state below.
36.5 kWh a month at the U.S. average, 18.34¢/kWh for June 2026. Excludes fixed charges, taxes and time-of-use rates, which vary by utility and are on your bill.
Typical 750–2,000 W. Use the figure on your own label if you have it.
5% duty cycle applied — it draws power for part of that time.
A well pump sits mid-table at #25 of 88, which means something else in the house costs more. See whether water & outdoor or something else drives your bill.
Published figures for this appliance disagree by a wide margin. Why other sites price a well pump so differently.
How many watts a well pump uses
Residential submersible well pumps are sized by motor: 1/2 HP is roughly 750 W, 3/4 HP about 1,100 W and 1 HP about 1,500 W, with deeper wells needing more. Starting surge is several times higher but lasts only a moment.
- Low
- 750 W
- Typical
- 1,000 W
- High
- 2,000 W
What it costs across the country
Same appliance, same usage, different electricity price. Annual cost at 1,000 W and the default usage above.
| State | ¢/kWh | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 52.72 | $231 |
| California | 34.74 | $152 |
| Massachusetts | 29.61 | $130 |
| New York | 29.49 | $129 |
| Ohio | 19.19 | $84.05 |
| Texas | 15.94 | $69.82 |
| Florida | 15.10 | $66.14 |
| Utah | 13.37 | $58.56 |
| Nebraska | 13.25 | $58.04 |
| Nevada | 13.11 | $57.42 |
Worth knowing
- A well pump only runs when the pressure tank falls below its cut-in pressure, which for a normal household is around an hour a day in total.
- A waterlogged pressure tank makes the pump short-cycle — switching on and off constantly — which raises both the electricity cost and the wear dramatically. Rapid clicking at the tank is the symptom.
- A running toilet or dripping outdoor spigot is the most common cause of a well pump bill that suddenly climbs.
Other appliances
- Electric water heater
- Electric vehicle charging
- Hot tub
- Pool pump
- Sump pump
- Water softener
- Electric sauna
- Heated floor
Prices are statewide residential averages for June 2026 from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. They exclude fixed monthly charges, taxes and time-of-use rates. See how these figures are calculated.