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Cost to drill a well in Ohio: $6,800–$31,900 by county

A drilled, finished water well in Ohio typically costs $6,800–$31,900, with a midpoint of $17,600. Depth sets most of that price. Domestic wells here have a median depth of 120 ft across 17,808 completion reports filed 2016–2025, priced at Ohio driller rates.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Key figures for Ohio

ItemFigure
Finished well, typical range (midpoint $17,600) $6,800–$31,9001,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Drilling and casing only (no pump, tank, or hookup) $4,200–$20,8001,2,3,4,5
Median well depth (17,808 reports) 120 ft1
Middle half of wells 80 ft to 180 ft1
Drilling rate (Ohio rates) $30–$80/ft2
Median casing depth 80 ft1
Median reported yield 15 gpm1

Estimate a well in Ohio

Typical total: $6,800–$31,900, midpoint $17,600.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Depths from 17,808 domestic well reports in Ohio, 2016–2025: 80 ft (25th percentile), 120 ft (median), 178 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) (120 ft × $55/ft)$2,400$6,600$14,2002
Casing, installed (78 ft × $28/ft)$800$2,100$3,5003
Rig mobilization and setup ($550–$2,500)$600$1,500$2,5004
Well permit ($350–$600)$400$500$6005
Pump, wire, and drop pipe, installed ($1,000–$4,000)$1,000$2,500$4,0006
Pressure tank and switch, installed ($500–$2,000)$500$1,300$2,0002
Trench, water line, and electrical to the house ($1,000–$5,000)$1,000$3,000$5,0007
Water quality test ($50–$100)$100$100$1008
Total$6,800$17,600$31,900

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Well depth by county in Ohio

Total depth of domestic wells by county, Ohio. Bar shows the middle half of wells; tick marks the median.
County Reports Median depth (ft) Middle half (ft) 0 to 380 ft
Licking 1,006 160 100–230
Stark 956 140 100–200
Fairfield 729 120 80–180
Summit 718 100 60–140
Geauga 691 120 80–160
Portage 577 120 90–160
Wayne 552 120 100–160
Holmes 498 180 110–240
Knox 485 160 120–210
Logan 460 130 80–170
Franklin 445 110 80–140
Tuscarawas 428 220 130–320
Medina 421 130 100–160
Richland 397 160 110–220
Union 392 100 80–150
Columbiana 375 140 100–200
Clark 339 100 70–140
Mercer 316 170 140–220
Trumbull 294 120 80–140
Hocking 280 320 200–380
Darke 274 120 80–160
Miami 262 100 80–130
Mahoning 255 160 120–200
Coshocton 252 140 80–260
Pickaway 244 110 80–140
Seneca 237 100 70–120
Greene 235 100 80–150
Allen 222 70 60–90
Ashland 215 120 100–170
Auglaize 212 120 80–170
Shelby 210 120 90–160
Champaign 207 110 70–160
Ashtabula 198 60 50–70
Marion 190 90 70–100
Carroll 189 180 120–260
Madison 185 100 70–140
Muskingum 181 190 120–320
Hancock 175 70 50–100
Wood 175 80 60–100
Wyandot 175 90 70–110
Williams 173 110 90–150
Putnam 172 80 60–140
Morrow 153 110 60–160
Crawford 128 70 50–100
Defiance 128 100 70–120
Sandusky 122 100 80–120
Hardin 120 90 70–120
Montgomery 120 100 70–130
Warren 118 40 40–60
Preble 117 90 70–130
Fulton 116 130 90–160
Lucas 115 90 70–120
Perry 115 180 110–320
Van Wert 114 110 80–140
Delaware 108 80 60–120
Ottawa 108 100 80–100
Paulding 102 60 60–80
Harrison 93 140 120–200
Guernsey 91 130 100–160
Henry 86 80 80–100
Vinton 85 360 300–380
Lake 70 80 40–100
Fayette 69 110 70–140
Belmont 63 130 110–170
Jefferson 61 200 130–220
Butler 47 50 40–70
Monroe 45 130 90–200
Huron 41 70 50–100
Highland 38 110 90–140
Clinton 35 90 80–130
Washington 35 100 70–160
Cuyahoga* 26 90 70–120
Morgan* 24 130 60–200
Ross* 23 100 70–140
Noble* 21 200 120–250
Athens* 15 120 90–170
Hamilton* 10 90 70–100
Meigs* 8 280 220–350
Jackson* 7 300 190–370
Pike* 7 100 90–130
Clermont* 6 70 60–90
Gallia* 6 130 110–160
Lawrence* 6 160 100–320
Erie* 4 90 80–110
Scioto* 2 220 180–260
Adams* 1 140 140–140
Brown* 1 140 140–140
Lorain* 1 100 100–100

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

Median depth runs from 40 ft in Warren County to 360 ft in Vinton County. At Ohio rates that difference is worth about $22,000 at the midpoint estimate. 17 of 88 counties have fewer than 30 reports; the calculator uses the statewide figure for those.

Sources1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Where the money goes on a Ohio well

Drilling is billed by the foot at $30–$80/ft, so the hole alone runs $2,400–$14,200 at the depths above. Casing, the steel or PVC pipe that lines the upper borehole, adds $800–$3,500 at $10–$45/ft. Rig setup is a flat $600–$2,500.

The pump, pressure tank, and trench to the house add $2,500–$11,000 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.

Sources2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Permits and driller licensing in Ohio

Water wells in Ohio fall under Ohio Department of Health Private Water Systems Program, enforced by local boards of health. You must apply to your local board of health for a permit before you construct, convert or alter a private water system or install a test well. Private water systems contractors must register with the Ohio Department of Health every year, and only registered contractors may do regulated work such as drilling wells. Owners who drill on their own residence must also register. A copy of the well log must go to the board of health and the system owner within 30 days of drilling, altering or sealing a well, and the registered contractor keeps a copy. The permit or filing fee runs $400–$600.

Sources9,10,5

Groundwater and well construction in Ohio

Well cap Submersible pump Casing to about 80 ft Total depth about 120 ft Soil and loose rock Open hole in rock
Cross-section of a 120 ft well with casing to 80 ft, the Ohio median

Coarse sand and gravel glacial deposits are principal aquifers over the Paleozoic bedrock across most of the Central Lowland. In the Appalachian Plateaus, sandstone aquifers are important bedrock sources.

A well at the Ohio median reaches 120 ft with casing to about 80 ft. OAC 3701-28-07 requires a water source to sit at least 50 feet from any component of a sewage treatment system. It also requires 100 feet from a leaching pit or drywell that has not been properly abandoned.

Ohio does not require routine testing of an existing private well. Ohio State University Extension recommends testing at least once a year for coliform bacteria, nitrate, pH and total dissolved solids.

Sources11,1,12,13

Ohio compared with neighboring states

StateMedian depthTypical finished well
Ohio120 ft$6,800–$31,900
Indiana90 ft$5,400–$27,400
Kentucky140 ft$6,500–$32,800
Michigan100 ft$5,200–$27,000
Pennsylvaniano records$10,800–$37,600
West Virginia150 ft$6,500–$40,200

Sources14,15,3,4,16,6,7,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28

Common questions

How deep is a typical well in Ohio?

Half of the 17,808 domestic wells reported in Ohio from 2016–2025 are between 80 ft and 180 ft deep, and the median is 120 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 Ohio?

Drilling alone runs $30–$80/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 $147/ft at a depth of 120 ft. Per-foot quotes rarely include the pump.

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

You must apply to your local board of health for a permit before you construct, convert or alter a private water system or install a test well. Expect a fee of $400–$600. 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 Ohio?

An installed submersible pump with wire and drop pipe runs $1,000–$4,000, and a pressure tank with its switch runs $500–$2,000. 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 what drilling a well costs.

Sources

  1. Water well log database , Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  2. Complete Water Well System Cost: Full Transparency from an Experienced Driller , K & B Water Well Drilling & Excavation (Mount Gilead, OH). Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated (2026 site). Drilling alone $30-$80+/ft; steel casing sometimes over $100/ft; pump unit $900-$2,500 plus installation; tank and switch $500-$2,000; full installed system $6,000-$16,000.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 2026 Approved Fee Schedule, Private Water System Fees effective 2026-01-01 , Butler County General Health District (OH). Accessed November 8, 2026. New private water system (well), single family dwelling $534 ($440 local + $74 state + $20 ODNR), includes one site visit, one water sample and one inspection; water samples $90 base plus lab costs.
  6. 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.
  7. 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+.
  8. Private Water Systems , Ashland County Health Department (OH). Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated (2026 site). New single family application/permit $309 plus $75 water sample fee = $384.
  9. OAC 3701-28-03 Permits and well logs for private water systems , Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  10. OAC 3701-28-18 Contractor registration , Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  11. Ground Water Atlas of the United States, Segment 10 (HA 730-K) , USGS. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  12. OAC 3701-28-07 Location, operation, and maintenance of private water systems , Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  13. Household Well Water Testing , Ohio State University Extension. Accessed November 9, 2026. Content taken from search excerpts.
  14. Water Well Record Database , Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  15. 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+.
  16. 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).
  17. 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.
  18. Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository, water wells , Kentucky Geological Survey. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. National depth distribution, median of state percentiles , Cost to Drill a Well. Accessed November 9, 2026. Median across states with records of each state's 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile depth.
  25. Well Drilling Cost in Bucks County, PA (2026 Guide) , CS Garber & Sons, Inc. (southeastern PA). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-02-04. Drilling plus 6-inch steel casing $35-$55/ft; mobilization $750-$1,500; grouting $8-$14/ft; submersible pump install (1/2-1 hp, complete) $3,500-$6,500; pressure tank $900-$1,800 installed; yield test and water sample $250-$500; turnkey $12,000-$22,000.
  26. Fee schedule , Chester County Health Department (PA). Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. New well permits $300; second or additional well $175; alteration $100.
  27. Drinking Water Testing , Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory. Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated (2026 site). Bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) $40; nitrate-nitrogen $15; WD01 standard package $60; WD04 standard plus nitrate $70.
  28. Monitoring locations: West Virginia groundwater sites (Water Data API) , U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed November 9, 2026. All groundwater sites in the USGS inventory for West Virginia; no water-use field. Used: wells with a construction year 1980 to 2025 and a depth of 20 to 3,000 ft (n=747).

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