costtodrillawell.com

Cost to drill a well in California: $14,600–$80,900 by county

A drilled, finished water well in California typically costs $14,600–$80,900, with a midpoint of $40,300. Depth sets most of that price. Domestic wells here have a median depth of 310 ft across 31,177 completion reports filed 2016–2025, priced at California driller rates.1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Key figures for California

ItemFigure
Finished well, typical range (midpoint $40,300) $14,600–$80,9001,2,3,4,5,6,7
Drilling and casing only (no pump, tank, or hookup) $12,000–$69,8001,2,3,4
Median well depth (31,177 reports) 310 ft1
Middle half of wells 220 ft to 450 ft1
Drilling rate (California rates) $35–$130/ft2
Median casing depth 180 ft1
Median reported yield 28.3 gpm1

Estimate a well in California

Typical total: $14,600–$80,900, midpoint $40,300.1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Depths from 31,177 domestic well reports in California, 2016–2025: 220 ft (25th percentile), 310 ft (median), 450 ft (75th percentile).

Low uses the 25th percentile depth at low rates; high uses the 75th percentile at high rates.
Line itemLowMidHigh
Drilling (per foot of depth) (310 ft × $83/ft)$7,700$25,600$58,5002
Casing, installed (180 ft × $33/ft)$3,600$5,900$8,1002
Rig mobilization and setup ($550–$2,500)$600$1,500$2,5003
Well permit ($100–$700)$100$400$7004
Pump, wire, and drop pipe, installed ($1,000–$4,000)$1,000$2,500$4,0005
Pressure tank and switch, installed ($500–$1,800)$500$1,200$1,8005
Trench, water line, and electrical to the house ($1,000–$5,000)$1,000$3,000$5,0006
Water quality test ($50–$250)$100$200$3007
Total$14,600$40,300$80,900

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Well depth by county in California

Total depth of domestic wells by county, California. Bar shows the middle half of wells; tick marks the median.
County Reports Median depth (ft) Middle half (ft) 0 to 1,010 ft
Fresno 2,529 310 300–400
Sonoma 1,890 300 220–400
Tulare 1,818 380 300–400
Riverside 1,606 500 350–700
San Bernardino 1,474 340 260–400
Madera 1,374 600 500–600
Placer 1,205 330 200–500
Merced 1,121 300 260–360
Nevada 1,103 320 200–500
San Luis Obispo 1,064 440 300–660
Stanislaus 983 240 200–300
San Joaquin 981 290 260–320
Tehama 889 220 170–310
Mendocino 842 200 140–240
El Dorado 837 320 200–500
Trinity 729 240 180–320
Shasta 711 200 140–280
Butte 685 280 180–440
Siskiyou 685 210 130–310
Kern 587 400 300–520
Kings 551 400 300–420
Humboldt 487 170 120–220
Napa 437 450 340–570
Calaveras 431 400 300–560
Sacramento 429 300 250–330
Yuba 423 300 160–500
Mariposa 412 400 280–600
Santa Clara 369 300 220–390
Glenn 368 260 210–340
San Diego 344 630 410–1,010
Santa Cruz 328 340 260–460
Monterey 298 470 340–660
Los Angeles 273 400 300–500
Yolo 260 360 250–450
Tuolumne 253 530 350–760
Plumas 244 210 140–300
Lake 231 200 130–300
Amador 217 340 240–480
Contra Costa 207 250 180–300
Santa Barbara 196 520 400–710
Solano 177 290 210–390
San Benito 153 280 220–400
Lassen 139 210 140–330
Colusa 114 290 200–530
Del Norte 113 60 50–70
Sutter 104 160 120–200
Ventura 82 400 230–610
Alameda 80 320 240–400
San Mateo 59 260 140–360
Inyo 57 210 160–400
Mono 56 240 200–340
Marin 52 260 140–350
Sierra 47 160 120–210
Modoc 39 240 200–300
Alpine* 21 390 260–440
Orange* 12 390 320–500
Imperial* 1 360 360–360

* 3 counties have fewer than 30 reports. Estimates there use the statewide figures.

Median depth runs from 60 ft in Del Norte County to 630 ft in San Diego County. At California rates that difference is worth about $51,800 at the midpoint estimate. 3 of 57 counties have fewer than 30 reports; the calculator uses the statewide figure for those.

Sources1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Where the money goes on a California well

Drilling is billed by the foot at $35–$130/ft, so the hole alone runs $7,700–$58,500 at the depths above. Casing, the steel or PVC pipe that lines the upper borehole, adds $3,600–$8,100 at $20–$45/ft. Rig setup is a flat $600–$2,500.

The pump, pressure tank, and trench to the house add $2,500–$10,800 on top of the hole. A quote that looks low next to the range above often leaves those three out, so ask for it itemized.

Sources2,3,4,5,6,7

Permits and driller licensing in California

Water wells in California fall under Local county environmental health agencies, under well standards of the California Department of Water Resources. Well owners get a construction permit from the local environmental health agency or water district before building, modifying, or destroying a well. Requirements and fees are set locally. A water well must be drilled by a contractor holding a C-57 Water Well Contractor license from the Contractors State License Board. DWR ties driller access to its well report system to that license. Every person who drills a water well must file a well completion report with the Department of Water Resources within 60 days after the work is completed, and drillers file through DWR's online system. The permit or filing fee runs $100–$700.

Sources8,9,10,4

Groundwater and well construction in California

Well cap Submersible pump Casing to about 180 ft Total depth about 310 ft Soil and loose rock Open hole in rock
Cross-section of a 310 ft well with casing to 180 ft, the California median

The Central Valley aquifer system is built mainly of sand and gravel with a lot of silt and clay, in basin-fill sediments that are thousands of feet thick. It is split into the Sacramento Valley, the Delta, and the San Joaquin Valley.

A well at the California median reaches 310 ft with casing to about 180 ft. The state well standards give no single separation distance from a septic system and say the local enforcing agency can increase the distances where conditions require, so check the setback with your county.

The State Water Board recommends that private domestic well owners test for total coliform bacteria, nitrate, and electrical conductivity every year, and test for trace metals such as arsenic less often.

Sources11,1,12,13

California compared with neighboring states

StateMedian depthTypical finished well
California310 ft$14,600–$80,900
Arizona410 ft$15,500–$71,200
Nevada230 ft$9,800–$46,500
Oregon190 ft$7,200–$43,300

Sources14,15,2,3,16,7,17,18,19,5,6,20,21,22,23

Common questions

How deep is a typical well in California?

Half of the 31,177 domestic wells reported in California from 2016–2025 are between 220 ft and 450 ft deep, and the median is 310 ft. Your county can sit well above or below that, so check the county table on this page before you compare quotes.

How much does it cost per foot to drill a well in California?

Drilling alone runs $35–$130/ft on the rates we compiled. Spread across a whole finished well, including casing, pump, tank, and hookup, the midpoint estimate works out to about $130/ft at a depth of 310 ft. Per-foot quotes rarely include the pump.

Do you need a permit to drill a well in California?

Well owners get a construction permit from the local environmental health agency or water district before building, modifying, or destroying a well. Requirements and fees are set locally. Expect a fee of $100–$700. The driller usually files the paperwork, but the permit is tied to your property, so ask for a copy.

How much do a well pump and pressure tank add in California?

An installed submersible pump with wire and drop pipe runs $1,000–$4,000, and a pressure tank with its switch runs $500–$1,800. Together they are often the line items missing from a drilling quote, so a quote for the hole alone will look $3,700 cheaper than a finished well.

Related pages

For every state side by side and the national range, see the national well cost figures.

Sources

  1. Well Completion Reports (Online System for Well Completion Reports, OSWCR) , California Department of Water Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Statewide well completion report dataset used for depth records.
  2. Cost to Drill a Water Well in Northern California , Weeks Drilling & Pump Co. (Sebastopol, CA). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-04-30. Drilling $35-$130/ft; steel casing $20-$45/ft; pump and pressure tank $3,500-$9,000; permitting $500-$2,500.
  3. D-203(5) Statewide Drilling Services, Exhibit D Price Schedule (Thein Well Co., contract 226711) , Minnesota Office of State Procurement. Accessed November 8, 2026. 2023 state-contract unit rates from a licensed MN driller: 6-in borehole $30-$31/ft (mud rotary/auger), $75/ft air rotary in rock; 6-in casing $28/ft (code) to $48/ft (black steel); mobilization $1,000/project; 34-gal pressure tank installed $1,000, 62-gal $1,450; submersible pump 3/4-1 hp $1,250-$1,350 each; drop pipe $7/ft; pitless and lateral $2,000; trench $20/LF. Agency-buyer rates, not retail quotes.
  4. Environmental Health Fee Schedule, effective 2026-08-08 , Calaveras County Environmental Management Agency (CA). Accessed November 8, 2026. 8607 Well Permit Application $693.00 per well.
  5. How Much Does a Well Pressure Tank Cost? , Mid Atlantic Water LLC (water-system supplier, nationwide). Accessed November 8, 2026. Updated 2026-10-14; prices live as of 2026-09. Tank replaced by plumber $800-$1,800 all-in (20-44 gal); labor $200-$500; submersible pump job $1,000-$2,500; tank plus pump $2,500-$5,000+. Supplier, not an installer.
  6. What Are the Cost Factors of Drilling a Santa Fe Water Well? , Boylan Water Well Service (Santa Fe, NM). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-06-25. Drilling incl. PVC casing $28-$65/ft; submersible pump $850-$2,500; casing and grouting $1,500-$4,000; pressure tank and controls $500-$1,800; electrical hookup and trenching $1,000-$3,500; permits and lab testing $300-$1,000; turn-key $12,000-$30,000+.
  7. DSHS Austin Laboratory Fee Schedule, effective 2026-09-01 , Texas Department of State Health Services. Accessed November 8, 2026. Potable Water (coliform) MZZ0441A $18.39; Nitrate-N EZZ0048A $30.00; Routine Water Mineral Group $155; All Metals $165; VOCs $150.
  8. Wells program , California Department of Water Resources. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  9. Well Completion Reports , California Department of Water Resources. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  10. California Water Code section 13751 , California Legislature. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  11. Ground Water Atlas of the United States, Segment 1: California, Nevada (HA 730-B) , U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  12. California Well Standards, Bulletin 74-90 , California Department of Water Resources. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  13. A Guide for Private Domestic Well Owners , California State Water Resources Control Board. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  14. Well Registry (Wells 55) , Arizona Department of Water Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  15. Understanding the Cost of Installing a Well in Mohave County , A-1 Arthur's Well Service (Kingman, AZ). Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. Drilling $30-$65/ft; submersible pump $1,500-$3,000+; pressure tank $500-$1,200+; electrical and controls $500-$2,000; plumbing and trenching $1,000-$5,000+; total $10,000-$30,000+.
  16. A.R.S. 45-596 Notice of intention to drill , Arizona State Legislature. Accessed November 8, 2026. Filing fee $150; $100 for a well outside an AMA or INA used solely for domestic purposes with a pump of 35 gpm or less. Confirmed by A.A.C. R12-15-104 (effective 2023-10-13, https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arizona/Ariz-Admin-Code-SS-R12-15-104) and ADWR form DWR 55-40.
  17. Well Driller Reports , Nevada Division of Water Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  18. Water Well Installation: Complete Guide, Cost and Tips for Success , Stevens Drilling (La Vernia, TX). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2025-10-27. Drilling $25-$65/ft; pumps $500-$2,000; pressure tank $300-$1,500; permit/licensing $100-$750; total $7,500-$17,000+.
  19. Compilation of fetched state and county well permit fees (research/rates/NOTES.md, section permit) , costtodrillawell.com research. Accessed November 8, 2026. Internal compilation used only for the national permit fallback. Component sources: ok-owrb-well-driller-fact-sheet ($0), fl-nwfwmd-well-fees through fl-manatee-water-wells-2026 ($35-$265), ny-dutchess-dbch-fees ($45), wi-dnr-well-notification ($50.50), ga-pierce-well-permit-2024 ($70), idaho-code-42-235 ($75), crs-37-92-602 ($100), az-ars-45-596 ($100-$150), nmac-19-27-5 ($125), wa-rcw-18-104-055 ($200), nc-wayne-private-wells through nc-gaston-eh-fees ($225-$450), mi-grand-traverse-fees-2026 and mi-delta-menominee-fees-2025 ($240-$334), mt-dnrc-form-613-2025 ($250-$400), pa-chester-county-health-fees ($300), mn-stat-103i-208 ($325), oh-logan-fees-2024 through oh-summit-fees-2025 ($350-$594), or-hb2808-2025 ($490), blanco-pedernales-gcd-fees-2025 ($500), ca-calaveras-fees-2026 ($693), ny-nyc-well-water-permit ($1,090 outlier).
  20. Well Log Query , Oregon Water Resources Department. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  21. Default casing share of well depth , Cost to Drill a Well. Accessed November 9, 2026. Median of state casing_p50 / depth_p50 across states that report casing. Used only where no local casing median exists.
  22. Enrolled House Bill 2808 (2025), amending ORS 537.762 and 537.753 , Oregon Legislative Assembly. Accessed November 8, 2026. Start card for construction of a new well: fee of [$350] $490; landowner's permit (owner-drilled) [$500] $550. Effective 2025-07-17 per OWRD (https://www.oregon.gov/owrd/programs/GWWL/WCC/Pages/House-Bill-2808.aspx).
  23. Testing Recommendations (Domestic Well Safety Program) , Oregon Health Authority. Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. Typical accredited-lab prices: coliform and E. coli $20-$40; nitrate $20-$40; arsenic $25-$45.

How these figures are built: methodology. Updated November 2026.