Well Pump running cost, by state
A well pump drawing 750W costs about $50.48 a year at the US average electricity rate — but that average hides a fourfold spread. Pick your state for a real figure.
At the US average rate
750W at a 50% duty cycle, 2 hours a day, at 18.44¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Cost scales with water usage rather than time, since the pump only runs on demand. A leaking fixture or running toilet raises pump cost invisibly, and a failing pressure tank causes rapid cycling that wears the motor and wastes energy.
- Nameplate wattage is not running cost. This well pump draws about 750W when active, but cycles roughly 50% of the time it is switched on, so effective consumption is near 375W.
- Models vary widely, from about 500W to 1500W. Check the nameplate on your own unit rather than assuming an average, because the spread is more than 2x.
- If your utility offers time-of-use pricing, shifting this load off-peak can cut its cost substantially without using any less energy.
Annual cost in every state
Sorted cheapest first. Click any state for the full calculation with that state’s rate loaded.
| State | Rate /kWh | Per month | Per year | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 12.35¢ | $2.82 | $33.81 | |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $2.96 | $35.48 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $3.05 | $36.63 | |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $3.10 | $37.20 | |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $3.10 | $37.23 | |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $3.11 | $37.26 | |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $3.12 | $37.45 | |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $3.22 | $38.65 | |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $3.23 | $38.71 | |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $3.23 | $38.74 | |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $3.28 | $39.31 | |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $3.30 | $39.61 | |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $3.35 | $40.16 | |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $3.38 | $40.52 | |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $3.41 | $40.93 | |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $3.42 | $41.01 | |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $3.45 | $41.31 | |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $3.45 | $41.42 | |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $3.46 | $41.53 | |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $3.48 | $41.69 | |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $3.59 | $43.06 | |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $3.62 | $43.36 | |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $3.69 | $44.24 | |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $3.69 | $44.24 | |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $3.69 | $44.29 | |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $3.71 | $44.54 | |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $3.75 | $45.00 | |
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $3.83 | $45.91 | |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $3.84 | $45.99 | |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $3.87 | $46.40 | |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $4.02 | $48.21 | |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $4.14 | $49.69 | |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $4.42 | $53.05 | |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $4.46 | $53.44 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $4.51 | $54.04 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $4.92 | $58.99 | |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $4.97 | $59.60 | |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $5.02 | $60.25 | |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $5.31 | $63.70 | |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $5.44 | $65.29 | |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $5.68 | $68.14 | |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $5.80 | $69.53 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $6.24 | $74.82 | |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $6.25 | $74.93 | |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $6.44 | $77.28 | |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $6.54 | $78.37 | |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $6.58 | $78.89 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $6.73 | $80.65 | |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $6.83 | $81.93 | |
| California | 33.25¢ | $7.59 | $91.02 | |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $11.87 | $142 |
Common questions
How many watts does a well pump use?
A typical well pump draws about 750 watts while running, with most models falling between 500W and 1500W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a well pump use per day?
At around 2 hours of use a day and a 50% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 0.75 kWh per day, or about 23 kWh a month. Your actual figure depends on your usage and model.
Why does the cost differ so much between states?
Residential electricity rates across the US range from about 12.35 cents per kWh in North Dakota to 46.62 cents in Hawaii - nearly a fourfold difference. The same well pump, used identically, therefore costs almost four times as much to run in the most expensive state as in the cheapest.
Is it cheaper to run a well pump at night?
Only if you are on a time-of-use or variable tariff. On a flat rate, the time of day makes no difference to cost. If you are on time-of-use pricing, off-peak hours are typically materially cheaper, and shifting this load can reduce its cost without reducing usage.