How Much Does Well Drilling Cost?
Updated October 2026
Wells are priced per foot drilled. The one public benchmark: USDA NRCS pays $72.34 per foot plus $4,906.55 per well for a typical 6-inch agricultural well (FY2026 Kansas EQIP schedule), capped by law at 75% of its estimated cost.
Your total = depth x your driller's per-foot rate + casing + pump system + water line + permit + water test. How each line is billed.
Estimate your well costWell Drilling Cost Calculator
Enter the figures from a driller's written quote to total it, and compare quotes on the same basis. Leave any line blank if it is not on the quote. The USDA NRCS payment for the same depth is shown as a public reference point.
Your quote, totalled
Enter your quote
Drilling $0 + casing $0 + other lines $0
USDA NRCS payment, same depth
$19,374.55
6-inch well: $4,906.55 + 200 ft x $72.34
The NRCS figure is what the Fiscal Year 2026 Kansas EQIP schedule (March 2, 2026) pays toward an agricultural water well at the regular rate. Federal rules cap that payment at 75 percent of NRCS's estimated cost, and it excludes the pump and pipeline. It is a reference point, not a price for your well. Get at least 3 written quotes and ask each driller what happens if they reach the quoted depth without enough water.
Drilling Cost by Ground Condition
Geology is the biggest cost driver after depth. Drillers charge more per foot through hard rock because it takes longer and wears out equipment faster. Many quote a separate overburden rate and rock rate; your state's well logs show where neighbors hit rock.
| Ground Type | Effect on the quote | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sand / gravel | Fastest to drill; usually cased full depth with a screen | Easiest to drill, fastest |
| Clay | Billed at the overburden rate; slower than sand | Common in Midwest and Southeast |
| Soft rock / limestone | Often billed at a rock rate once the bit reaches it | Common in mid-Atlantic and South |
| Hard rock / granite / basalt | Slowest; highest per-foot rate, more bit wear | New England, Rocky Mountain areas |
Shallow vs Deep Wells
Shallow Well (under 50 ft)
Lower upfront cost. Can be driven or bored rather than drilled. More susceptible to surface contamination, drought, and seasonal fluctuations.
Fewer feet billed
Deep Drilled Well
Better water quality, more reliable year-round supply, lower contamination risk. Required in many jurisdictions for a primary water source.
Every extra foot billed
Full Cost Breakdown
Drillers often quote the drilling cost only. Here is everything a complete working well system needs, and where each figure comes from.
| Component | How it is priced |
|---|---|
| Drilling (per foot) | Depth x the driller's per-foot rate |
| Well casing (per foot) | Casing feet x rate, or included in drilling |
| Submersible pump | Driller or pump installer quote |
| Pressure tank | Usually quoted with the pump |
| Plumbing to house | Plumber quote; depends on trench length |
| Water testing | A state-certified lab's price list |
| Permits | Your state or county fee schedule |
| Hydrogeological survey (optional) | Consultant quote |
A hydrogeological survey before drilling is optional. It estimates the likely depth to water at your site and reduces the risk of a dry hole; your state's free well log database is the place to start.
Common Questions
How much does well drilling cost?
Drillers charge per foot drilled, so the total is the depth times the quoted per-foot rate, plus casing, the pump system, the water line to the house, the permit fee and a water test. No public body publishes a national price for a household well. The one public per-foot benchmark is the USDA NRCS EQIP water well payment rate: the Fiscal Year 2026 Kansas schedule (March 2, 2026) pays $4,906.55 per well plus $72.34 per foot for a typical 6-inch agricultural well, and federal rules cap that payment at 75 percent of NRCS's estimated cost.
How deep does a residential well need to be?
It varies entirely by location. Some properties hit water at 50 feet. Others need 400 feet or more. There is no way to know before drilling. The best free evidence is your state's public well log database, which shows how deep neighboring wells went and where they found water. A hydrogeologist can also give a site-specific estimate before you commit.
What is the difference between a shallow well and a deep well?
Shallow wells draw from water close to the surface. They cost less because there are fewer feet to drill, but they are more susceptible to drought, contamination from surface runoff, and bacteria. Deep drilled wells cost more because every extra foot is billed, but they usually provide more reliable water quality and are less affected by seasonal water table changes.
What is included in the total well installation cost?
Drilling is just the start. A complete working well also needs casing (billed per foot, or included in the drilling rate), a pump and pressure tank, a pitless adapter and wiring, the water line to the house, the permit fee set by your state or county, and a water test from a certified lab. Check which of these each written quote includes before comparing totals.
Get 3 quotes
Prices vary significantly by region, depth required, and ground conditions. Ask each driller what they charge per foot and what happens if they hit a dry hole before reaching water.