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Cost to drill a well in Oregon: $7,200–$43,300 by county

A drilled, finished water well in Oregon typically costs $7,200–$43,300, with a midpoint of $21,400. Depth sets most of that price. Domestic wells here have a median depth of 190 ft across 22,758 completion reports filed 2016–2025, priced at national driller rates.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Key figures for Oregon

ItemFigure
Finished well, typical range (midpoint $21,400) $7,200–$43,3001,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Drilling and casing only (no pump, tank, or hookup) $4,600–$32,4001,2,3,4,5,6
Median well depth (22,758 reports) 190 ft1
Middle half of wells 100 ft to 320 ft1
Drilling rate (national rates) $25–$75/ft3
Median reported yield 20 gpm1

Estimate a well in Oregon

Typical total: $7,200–$43,300, midpoint $21,400.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Depths from 22,758 domestic well reports in Oregon, 2016–2025: 100 ft (25th percentile), 185 ft (median), 320 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) (185 ft × $50/ft)$2,500$9,300$24,0003
Casing, installed (120 ft × $28/ft)$1,000$3,300$5,4004
Rig mobilization and setup ($550–$2,500)$600$1,500$2,5005
Well permit ($490–$490)$500$500$5006
Pump, wire, and drop pipe, installed ($1,000–$4,000)$1,000$2,500$4,0007
Pressure tank and switch, installed ($500–$1,800)$500$1,200$1,8007
Trench, water line, and electrical to the house ($1,000–$5,000)$1,000$3,000$5,0008
Water quality test ($50–$100)$100$100$1009
Total$7,200$21,400$43,300

Casing depth of 120 ft is a model assumption; the records for this area do not report casing.2

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Well depth by county in Oregon

Total depth of domestic wells by county, Oregon. Bar shows the middle half of wells; tick marks the median.
County Reports Median depth (ft) Middle half (ft) 0 to 650 ft
Deschutes 3,217 80 50–350
Lane 2,282 160 80–290
Jackson 1,858 300 200–440
Josephine 1,522 200 140–300
Clackamas 1,404 210 140–340
Klamath 1,276 150 60–290
Marion 1,188 200 120–300
Linn 1,164 120 80–240
Douglas 1,137 180 120–260
Washington 757 270 170–410
Coos 729 120 50–190
Yamhill 699 210 130–320
Crook 674 430 290–600
Umatilla 572 220 140–330
Columbia 449 200 120–300
Benton 395 160 80–280
Curry 350 110 60–160
Polk 306 200 120–300
Baker 278 200 150–280
Malheur 262 140 60–280
Lake 256 160 110–250
Union 240 260 180–400
Wallowa 210 160 110–300
Lincoln 208 100 70–130
Jefferson 195 490 300–650
Tillamook 174 130 90–200
Harney 169 200 120–260
Wasco 158 340 190–550
Grant 152 240 140–370
Morrow 121 200 110–330
Clatsop 118 100 60–150
Multnomah 107 250 150–440
Wheeler 62 210 130–300
Hood River 37 180 90–260
Sherman* 21 280 220–350
Gilliam* 11 350 140–600

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

Median depth runs from 80 ft in Deschutes County to 490 ft in Jefferson County. At national rates that difference is worth about $27,600 at the midpoint estimate. 2 of 36 counties have fewer than 30 reports; the calculator uses the statewide figure for those.

Sources1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Where the money goes on a Oregon well

Drilling is billed by the foot at $25–$75/ft, so the hole alone runs $2,500–$24,000 at the depths above. Casing, the steel or PVC pipe that lines the upper borehole, adds $1,000–$5,400 at $10–$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.

Sources3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Permits and driller licensing in Oregon

Water wells in Oregon fall under Oregon Water Resources Department, Well Construction and Compliance Section. Single or group domestic use up to 15,000 gallons per day is exempt from a water right permit, but the constructor files a start card with OWRD before work begins. A one-time $300 groundwater use recording fee and a map of the well on the tax lot are due with the well report. Oregon lets a landowner build a well on their own property under a landowner well permit, which carries a $550 permit fee and a surety bond. Only the owner, immediate family or a full-time employee may do the work. The well report, with the recording fee and map, is due to OWRD within 30 days after the well is completed. The permit or filing fee runs $500.

Sources10,11,12,6

Groundwater and well construction in Oregon

Well cap Submersible pump Casing to about 120 ft Total depth about 190 ft Soil and loose rock Open hole in rock
Cross-section of a 190 ft well with casing to 120 ft, the Oregon median

A well at the Oregon median reaches 190 ft with casing to about 120 ft, a model assumption because the records here do not report casing. OWRD rules bar a water supply well within 50 feet of any septic tank and within 100 feet of a septic drainline or sewage disposal facility.

Oregon requires well testing only when a property with a well is sold, and the Oregon Health Authority recommends testing every year for coliform bacteria and nitrate and every 3 to 5 years for arsenic.

Sources2,13,9

Oregon compared with neighboring states

StateMedian depthTypical finished well
Oregon190 ft$7,200–$43,300
California310 ft$14,600–$80,900
Idaho200 ft$7,500–$43,800
Nevada230 ft$9,800–$46,500
Washington170 ft$17,300–$55,800

Sources14,4,5,15,7,8,16,17,3,18,19,20,21,22,2,23,24,25

Common questions

How deep is a typical well in Oregon?

Half of the 22,758 domestic wells reported in Oregon from 2016–2025 are between 100 ft and 320 ft deep, and the median is 190 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 Oregon?

Drilling alone runs $25–$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 $116/ft at a depth of 190 ft. Per-foot quotes rarely include the pump.

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

Single or group domestic use up to 15,000 gallons per day is exempt from a water right permit, but the constructor files a start card with OWRD before work begins. A one-time $300 groundwater use recording fee and a map of the well on the tax lot are due with the well report. Expect a fee of $500. 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 Oregon?

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 costtodrillawell.com.

Sources

  1. Well Log Query , Oregon Water Resources Department. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  2. 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.
  3. 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+.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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).
  7. 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.
  8. 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+.
  9. 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.
  10. Well Construction and Compliance Program (House Bill 2145 page) , Oregon Water Resources Department. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  11. Exempt Use Groundwater Recording Fee FAQ , Oregon Water Resources Department. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  12. Landowner Well Permit Application , Oregon Water Resources Department. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  13. OAR 690-210-0030, Well location , Oregon Water Resources Department (via Oregon Public Law). Accessed November 9, 2026.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. Wells , Idaho Department of Water Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  18. Idaho Code 42-235 Drilling Permits , Idaho Legislature. Accessed November 8, 2026. $75.00 permit charge for a domestic or monitoring well; $200 otherwise. Confirmed by IDWR Form 235-1 (https://idwr.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/forms/235-1-application-for-drilling-permit.pdf).
  19. Drinking Water Quality Fees (July 2026) , Central District Health (Boise, ID). Accessed November 8, 2026. Coliform test $20; nitrate test $21; sample collection by CDH $145.
  20. Well Driller Reports , Nevada Division of Water Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  21. 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).
  22. Well Reports , Washington State Department of Ecology. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  23. Well Drilling Cost in Washington: 2026 Price Guide , Wenatchee Well Pros (pump and water-system installer, Wenatchee, WA; does not drill). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-07-02. Soft formation $45-$65/ft; basalt $65-$95/ft; installed 6-inch steel casing $55-$90/ft; pump systems $4,500-$7,500 (200 ft) to $8,000-$12,000 (over 400 ft); mobilization $500-$2,500; trenching and hookup $1,500-$5,000; water testing $150-$400; 200-ft well complete $18,000-$25,000. Not a licensed driller; weaker evidence.
  24. RCW 18.104.055 Well construction fees , Washington State Legislature. Accessed November 8, 2026. 2005 c 84. Fee for one water well with top casing under 12 inches $200; 12 inches or greater $300; paid with the notice of intent to Ecology (https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/well-construction-notice-of-intent adds a 3 percent card fee).
  25. Water Lab , Thurston County Public Health & Social Services (WA). Accessed November 8, 2026. 2025 schedule. Total coliform and E. coli P/A $32; nitrate $32.

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