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Cost to drill a well in Minnesota: $8,600–$28,500 by county

A drilled, finished water well in Minnesota typically costs $8,600–$28,500, with a midpoint of $17,200. Depth sets most of that price. Domestic wells here have a median depth of 100 ft across 100,010 completion reports filed 2016–2025, priced at Minnesota driller rates.1,2,3,4,5,6

Key figures for Minnesota

ItemFigure
Finished well, typical range (midpoint $17,200) $8,600–$28,5001,2,3,4,5,6
Drilling and casing only (no pump, tank, or hookup) $5,500–$17,9001,2,3
Median well depth (100,010 reports) 100 ft1
Middle half of wells 70 ft to 160 ft1
Drilling rate (Minnesota rates) $30–$75/ft2
Median casing depth 90 ft1

Estimate a well in Minnesota

Typical total: $8,600–$28,500, midpoint $17,200.1,2,3,4,5,6

Depths from 100,010 domestic well reports in Minnesota, 2016–2025: 70 ft (25th percentile), 104 ft (median), 163 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) (104 ft × $53/ft)$2,100$5,500$12,2002
Casing, installed (88 ft × $40/ft)$2,100$3,500$4,4002
Rig mobilization and setup ($1,000–$1,000)$1,000$1,000$1,0002
Well permit ($325–$325)$300$300$3003
Pump, wire, and drop pipe, installed ($1,000–$4,000)$1,000$2,500$4,0004
Pressure tank and switch, installed ($1,000–$1,500)$1,000$1,300$1,5002
Trench, water line, and electrical to the house ($1,000–$5,000)$1,000$3,000$5,0005
Water quality test ($50–$50)$100$100$1006
Total$8,600$17,200$28,500

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Well depth by county in Minnesota

Total depth of domestic wells by county, Minnesota. Bar shows the middle half of wells; tick marks the median.
County Reports Median depth (ft) Middle half (ft) 0 to 560 ft
Crow Wing 8,295 70 60–100
Cass 6,374 70 60–100
Otter Tail 5,987 90 70–120
St. Louis 4,737 140 80–300
Anoka 4,691 140 100–190
Becker 3,558 90 60–140
Sherburne 3,375 90 70–120
Stearns 3,360 80 60–120
Hubbard 3,276 80 60–110
Wright 3,020 110 80–140
Pine 2,734 90 70–140
Aitkin 2,701 90 70–140
Hennepin 2,645 170 140–210
Douglas 2,491 100 80–140
Itasca 2,250 80 60–120
Chisago 2,227 140 100–180
Isanti 2,206 110 80–140
Beltrami 2,099 90 70–110
Morrison 1,992 70 60–110
Washington 1,882 180 130–260
Todd 1,759 90 60–120
Mille Lacs 1,711 70 60–100
Carlton 1,563 100 60–180
Scott 1,520 210 160–290
Kandiyohi 1,250 130 80–250
Kanabec 1,161 90 70–120
Meeker 1,001 120 90–190
Benton 984 80 60–100
Roseau 889 90 70–140
Wadena 860 70 60–110
Clay 809 130 100–180
Carver 788 190 150–250
Lake 755 230 140–320
Pope 753 110 80–150
Olmsted 666 410 350–460
Rice 665 220 170–270
Blue Earth 633 160 120–220
Polk 595 110 80–170
Goodhue 556 340 240–400
Dakota 555 280 190–340
McLeod 545 150 120–220
Cook 494 240 160–320
Winona 480 380 150–560
Wabasha 474 140 70–390
Lake of the Woods 466 100 80–130
Clearwater 441 100 80–140
Mahnomen 388 110 80–170
Sibley 365 230 180–290
Pennington 364 160 130–230
Renville 362 180 120–270
Le Sueur 352 210 160–300
Fillmore 347 390 320–480
Houston 313 300 150–540
Marshall 268 140 90–200
Brown 264 150 120–190
Redwood 260 130 80–200
Nicollet 259 260 210–350
Grant 242 100 80–140
Norman 236 150 100–200
Chippewa 235 110 80–190
Lac qui Parle 227 120 80–180
Martin 219 170 120–230
Waseca 189 180 140–280
Koochiching 179 140 90–290
Big Stone 177 140 60–210
Wilkin 176 120 80–200
Stevens 174 130 80–170
Swift 166 100 80–160
Yellow Medicine 164 110 70–160
Dodge 159 310 180–380
Freeborn 159 190 160–230
Steele 158 190 160–260
Red Lake 144 150 110–200
Mower 138 240 170–300
Watonwan 137 150 100–190
Murray 124 160 130–220
Faribault 119 140 110–200
Ramsey 100 160 120–200
Lyon 96 100 70–200
Nobles 89 240 130–370
Traverse 78 120 80–190
Kittson 67 70 60–120
Cottonwood 62 150 90–240
Pipestone 62 120 60–330
Jackson 55 250 160–390
Rock 42 300 190–400
Lincoln* 22 180 80–200

* 1 county has fewer than 30 reports. Estimates there use the statewide figures.

Median depth runs from 70 ft in Kittson County to 410 ft in Olmsted County. At Minnesota rates that difference is worth about $29,600 at the midpoint estimate. 1 of 87 counties have fewer than 30 reports; the calculator uses the statewide figure for those.

Sources1,2,3,4,5,6

Where the money goes on a Minnesota well

Drilling is billed by the foot at $30–$75/ft, so the hole alone runs $2,100–$12,200 at the depths above. Casing, the steel or PVC pipe that lines the upper borehole, adds $2,100–$4,400 at $30–$50/ft. Rig setup is a flat $1,000.

The pump, pressure tank, and trench to the house add $3,000–$10,500 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

Permits and driller licensing in Minnesota

Water wells in Minnesota fall under Minnesota Department of Health, Well Management Section. A standard water-supply well needs a notification form and fee submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health before drilling starts, rather than a full construction permit. Wells must be installed by contractors licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health, except that an individual may build a personal-use well on land they own or lease for farming or as their home. After construction, the well contractor sends a copy of the Well and Boring Record to the owner and to the Department of Health. The permit or filing fee runs $300.

Sources7,3

Groundwater and well construction in Minnesota

Well cap Submersible pump Casing to about 90 ft Total depth about 100 ft Soil and loose rock Open hole in rock
Cross-section of a 100 ft well with casing to 90 ft, the Minnesota median

Minnesota's principal aquifers include the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system, the Cretaceous aquifers, the Jacobsville and crystalline-rock units, and glacial sand and gravel deposits, as mapped in the USGS atlas.

A well at the Minnesota median reaches 100 ft with casing to about 90 ft. Minn. R. 4725.4450 sets 50 feet from a septic tank and 50 feet from a soil absorption area, rising to 100 feet from the absorption area for sensitive wells.

Sources8,1,9

Minnesota compared with neighboring states

StateMedian depthTypical finished well
Minnesota100 ft$8,600–$28,500
Iowa210 ft$8,100–$42,600
Michigan100 ft$5,200–$27,000
North Dakota110 ft$5,500–$31,000
South Dakota200 ft$7,000–$48,500
Wisconsin130 ft$6,100–$32,100

Sources10,11,12,13,2,14,4,5,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24

Common questions

How deep is a typical well in Minnesota?

Half of the 100,010 domestic wells reported in Minnesota from 2016–2025 are between 70 ft and 160 ft deep, and the median is 100 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 Minnesota?

Drilling alone runs $30–$75/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 $165/ft at a depth of 100 ft. Per-foot quotes rarely include the pump.

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

A standard water-supply well needs a notification form and fee submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health before drilling starts, rather than a full construction permit. Expect a fee of $300. 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 Minnesota?

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

Related pages

For every state side by side and the national range, see how much a well costs.

Sources

  1. Minnesota Well Index , Minnesota Department of Health. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  2. 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.
  3. Minn. Stat. 103I.208 Well Notification and Permit Fees , Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Accessed November 8, 2026. Water supply well construction notification $325 (includes $40 state core function fee); sealing $125. Effective 2025-07-01 per MDH fee schedule (https://www.health.mn.gov/communities/environment/water/wells/feesched.html). Delegated county/city programs set their own fees.
  4. 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.
  5. 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+.
  6. Water Testing , Washington County, Minnesota, Public Health & Environment. Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. Standard drinking water test (coliform and nitrate) $50; coliform $25; nitrate $25.
  7. Constructing a New Water-Supply Well in Minnesota , Minnesota Department of Health. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  8. Ground Water Atlas of the United States, Segment 9 (HA 730-J): Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin , USGS. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  9. Minn. R. 4725.4450, Water-Supply Well Locations: setback distances , Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  10. Private Well Tracking System, Wells in Iowa , Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  11. 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.
  12. 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+.
  13. 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.
  14. 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).
  15. 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.
  16. Wellogic water well records , Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  17. The Real Cost of Installing a Septic System and Well in Michigan (2026 Edition) , K2 Excavating (Michigan excavating and septic contractor; not a licensed well driller). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-02-20. Drilling $15-$65/ft; pump, pressure tank and controls installed $1,500-$3,000; permits $300-$600; initial water testing $150-$300; total $5,000-$15,000 (average about $9,000). Adjacent trade; weaker evidence.
  18. 2025 Environmental Health Fee Schedule (OSTDS & Wells), effective 2025-03-01 , Public Health, Delta & Menominee Counties (MI). Accessed November 8, 2026. Well construction permit, residential/irrigation $334; sand point well $100; double fee if work starts before permit.
  19. Laboratory fee list (EGLE-certified drinking water lab), effective 2026-07-06 , City of Cadillac Laboratory (MI). Accessed November 8, 2026. Drinking water coliforms, total and E. coli P/A $35; nitrate $35.
  20. Ground and surface water site data , North Dakota Department of Water Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  21. Water well completion reports , South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  22. Well Construction Reports , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  23. Well Construction Notification , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. The Well Construction Notification fee is $50.50. Some counties add a sanitary permit.
  24. Public Environmental and Water Testing Prices, effective 2026-07-01 , Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. Accessed November 8, 2026. Bacteria (total coliform/E. coli) P/A $35.00; Nitrate $35.00; Nitrite $38; HUD/FHA-VA loan package $146.00; Homeowner package (5 bottle) $450.00.

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