How long should a well pump last?

Eight to fifteen years is normal for a submersible pump, while the well itself can serve 40 years or more. Replacing a pump is routine maintenance, not a sign you need a new well.

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Well pump service

No water? It is usually the pump, not the well.

Q: How do I know if my well pump is failing?

Common signs are low or fluctuating water pressure, air spitting from the faucets, the pump running constantly or short-cycling, a jump in your electric bill, or no water at all. Changes in taste, smell, or clarity are a water-quality issue instead.

Pumps last 8–15 years; the well itself can serve 40 or more. Work out whether you are looking at a pump repair, a replacement, or a well problem — then find a licensed contractor who does that work.

License VerifiedPumps last 8–15 yrsReplacement ~$1,900

Start here

Is it the pump, or is it the well?

These look identical from the kitchen tap, and they cost very different amounts to fix. Low or fluctuating pressure, air spitting from faucets, a pump that runs constantly, or a sudden rise in your electric bill usually point at the pump or pressure tank. Water that has gone cloudy, salty, or sulphurous is a water-quality problem, and a well that runs dry under normal use is a yield problem. Our triage tool walks the symptoms with you.

Repair or replace? — triage tool Is my well keeping up? Low-yield storage calculator

What it costs

Pump replacement runs $976 to $2,825.

About $1,900 is typical for a submersible pump swap on an average residential well. Depth is the main lever, because a deeper well means more pump, more pipe, and more wire to pull and re-set — wells in the 100–200 ft range usually land around $1,500–$3,000, while 300–400 ft wells run more like $2,800–$5,500. Constant-pressure systems cost more again. If a quote is far below these, check whether it covers the pressure tank, wiring, and permits or only the pump itself.

Full pump replacement cost guide Pump sizing calculator 2026 well drilling cost index

Well repair

When the problem is the well itself.

Not every fix is a pump. A well that has lost yield over years is often a candidate for rehabilitation — hydrofracturing, cleaning, or re-development can restore flow for far less than a new well. Damaged casing, a failed seal, or contamination after flooding are repair jobs too. The same licensed contractors generally handle both pump work and well rehabilitation, so start with a diagnosis rather than assuming you need to drill again. Drilling a replacement well is the last resort, not the first quote.

Find drillers who handle rehabilitation Shock chlorination calculator Water quality testing guide

Find a contractor

Who does pump work near you?

109 contractors in our directory are specifically tagged for well pump service. Many more of the 5,645+ licensed drillers we list handle pump repair and replacement as routine work without listing it separately — so if the pump-service list is thin in your area, search the full directory for your state and ask. Every listing shows the contractor’s state license number and a link to verify it with the licensing board.

Pump-service contractors Browse all licensed drillers by state Verify a license with the state board

Common questions

Pump questions, answered.

Typically $976 to $2,825, with about $1,900 being usual for a submersible pump on an average residential well. Deeper wells cost more because there is more pump, pipe, and wire to pull — 300 to 400 foot wells commonly run $2,800 to $5,500.

The common signs are low or fluctuating water pressure, air spitting from the faucets, the pump running constantly or short-cycling, a jump in your electric bill, or no water at all. Those point at the pump or the pressure tank rather than the well. Changes in taste, smell, or clarity are a water-quality issue instead.

Eight to fifteen years is the normal range for a submersible pump, while the well itself can serve 40 years or more. That is why replacing a pump is a routine maintenance event, not a sign you need a new well.

Usually a repair. A pump swap, a pressure-tank replacement, or well rehabilitation to restore lost yield all cost far less than drilling again. Drilling a replacement well is a last resort — get a diagnosis from a licensed contractor before accepting a quote for a new well.

In most US states and Canadian provinces, yes — pump installation is regulated alongside well drilling, often under the same well-driller or pump-installer license. You can check the requirement and the issuing board for your state with our license lookup.

Get it looked at by someone licensed.

Search your area for licensed contractors who handle pump service and well repair — license confirmed, contacted directly, no referral fees.

5,645+ license-verified contractors · US + Canada · No signup required