costtodrillawell.com

Cost to drill a well in South Dakota: $7,000–$48,500 by county

A drilled, finished water well in South Dakota typically costs $7,000–$48,500, with a midpoint of $22,300. Depth sets most of that price. Domestic wells here have a median depth of 200 ft across 3,808 completion reports filed 2016–2025, priced at national driller rates.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Key figures for South Dakota

ItemFigure
Finished well, typical range (midpoint $22,300) $7,000–$48,5001,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Drilling and casing only (no pump, tank, or hookup) $4,400–$37,4001,2,3,4,5,6
Median well depth (3,808 reports) 200 ft1
Middle half of wells 110 ft to 380 ft1
Drilling rate (national rates) $25–$75/ft3

Estimate a well in South Dakota

Typical total: $7,000–$48,500, midpoint $22,300.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Depths from 3,808 domestic well reports in South Dakota, 2016–2025: 105 ft (25th percentile), 200 ft (median), 380 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) (200 ft × $50/ft)$2,600$10,000$28,5003
Casing, installed (130 ft × $28/ft)$1,100$3,600$5,9004
Rig mobilization and setup ($550–$2,500)$600$1,500$2,5005
Well permit ($50–$500)$100$300$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–$250)$100$200$3009
Total$7,000$22,300$48,500

Casing depth of 130 ft is a model assumption; the records for this area do not report casing.2

No state rate survey yet, so national driller rates are used.

Get quotes from licensed drillers in South Dakota

Tell us your ZIP code and what you need. We pass it to drillers who work in your part of South Dakota.

Submitting sends your request to Cost to Drill a Well. We reply by email and may pass it to well contractors who serve your ZIP code. See the privacy policy.

Well depth by county in South Dakota

Total depth of domestic wells by county, South Dakota. Bar shows the middle half of wells; tick marks the median.
County Reports Median depth (ft) Middle half (ft) 0 to 2,220 ft
Custer 440 280 190–390
Pennington 433 240 120–440
Lawrence 407 300 180–480
Meade 167 270 170–680
Corson 127 130 90–200
Bennett 112 140 100–200
Harding 110 170 110–320
Spink 95 1,000 90–1,130
Perkins 90 220 150–300
Fall River 76 310 260–560
Yankton 76 150 80–200
Sanborn 73 180 140–290
Day 69 120 60–250
Todd 68 140 120–180
Beadle 66 200 90–1,150
Bon Homme 62 240 180–350
Dewey 62 100 80–160
Hutchinson 62 200 150–270
Davison 61 150 110–240
Brown 59 60 50–1,050
Union 56 100 70–190
McPherson 55 120 60–240
Brookings 48 70 50–150
Oglala Lakota 45 220 100–400
Ziebach 45 120 100–180
Turner 44 180 120–350
Clark 42 150 60–430
Roberts 41 80 60–130
Codington 37 60 40–140
Lincoln 37 180 120–430
Hand 36 110 70–1,260
Hughes 35 80 70–100
Marshall 31 110 80–180
Tripp 31 140 80–160
McCook* 29 270 120–330
Jackson* 28 150 100–250
Jerauld* 26 180 120–400
Butte* 24 170 100–320
Faulk* 23 1,190 1,140–1,270
Hamlin* 23 100 70–210
Kingsbury* 23 360 160–410
Aurora* 22 290 190–340
Campbell* 22 160 80–260
Edmunds* 22 420 120–1,430
Sully* 22 70 50–1,210
Deuel* 20 100 60–190
Minnehaha* 20 280 80–400
Walworth* 20 80 60–130
Clay* 19 120 100–140
Douglas* 19 330 270–380
Miner* 19 170 120–210
Hanson* 18 310 130–370
Grant* 16 130 110–170
Charles Mix* 15 560 320–880
Moody* 13 160 30–260
Brule* 10 930 810–1,020
Buffalo* 10 130 100–980
Mellette* 9 160 130–270
Stanley* 9 60 60–2,220
Gregory* 8 140 110–360
Lyman* 7 1,380 990–2,050
Hyde* 5 1,780 1,740–2,000
Haakon* 3 40 30–800
Lake* 3 50 40–190
Jones* 2 1,310 740–1,880
Potter* 1 2,160 2,160–2,160

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

Median depth runs from 60 ft in Brown County to 1,000 ft in Spink County. At national rates that difference is worth about $63,900 at the midpoint estimate. 32 of 66 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 South Dakota well

Drilling is billed by the foot at $25–$75/ft, so the hole alone runs $2,600–$28,500 at the depths above. Casing, the steel or PVC pipe that lines the upper borehole, adds $1,100–$5,900 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 South Dakota

Water wells in South Dakota fall under South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Water Rights Program. Household and farm or ranch use, including livestock and a garden or lawn up to one acre, does not need a water right permit if the withdrawal stays under 25,920 gallons per day or a 25 gpm peak rate. A South Dakota license is needed before drilling or contracting to drill a water well. A new license requires an examination and renews annually. The driller must file the well completion report with the Water Rights Program within 30 days of finishing the well.

Sources10,11

Groundwater and well construction in South Dakota

Well cap Submersible pump Casing to about 130 ft Total depth about 200 ft Soil and loose rock Open hole in rock
Cross-section of a 200 ft well with casing to 130 ft, the South Dakota median

In northeastern South Dakota, only the sandy and gravelly glacial outwash deposits yield substantial water to wells.

A well at the South Dakota median reaches 200 ft with casing to about 130 ft, a model assumption because the records here do not report casing. ARSD 74:02:04:24 allows a well supplied by an aquifer whose top is less than 100 feet deep no closer than 75 feet to wastewater system components. For an aquifer whose top is more than 100 feet deep, the distance is 50 feet.

Sources12,2,13

South Dakota compared with neighboring states

StateMedian depthTypical finished well
South Dakota200 ft$7,000–$48,500
Iowa210 ft$8,100–$42,600
Minnesota100 ft$8,600–$28,500
Montana170 ft$6,700–$43,900
Nebraska160 ft$6,700–$36,100
North Dakota110 ft$5,500–$31,000
Wyoming240 ft$6,800–$52,600

Sources14,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23

Common questions

How deep is a typical well in South Dakota?

Half of the 3,808 domestic wells reported in South Dakota from 2016–2025 are between 110 ft and 380 ft deep, and the median is 200 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 South Dakota?

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 $112/ft at a depth of 200 ft. Per-foot quotes rarely include the pump.

Do you need a permit to drill a well in South Dakota?

Household and farm or ranch use, including livestock and a garden or lawn up to one acre, does not need a water right permit if the withdrawal stays under 25,920 gallons per day or a 25 gpm peak rate. 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 South Dakota?

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. 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.
  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. 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).
  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. 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.
  10. Well Driller Licensing , South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Accessed November 9, 2026. Content taken from search excerpts.
  11. Summary of South Dakota Water Laws and Rules , South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Accessed November 9, 2026. Content taken from search excerpts.
  12. Aquifer test to determine hydraulic properties of the Elm aquifer near Aberdeen, South Dakota , USGS. Accessed November 9, 2026. Local study; not statewide.
  13. ARSD 74:02:04:24 Well locations , South Dakota Legislature. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  14. 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.
  15. Minnesota Well Index , Minnesota Department of Health. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. Ground Water Information Center (GWIC) , Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  19. Form 613 Water Right Fee Schedule, effective 2025-10-01 , Montana DNRC Water Resources Division. Accessed November 8, 2026. Form 602 Notice of Completion of Groundwater Development (35 gpm / 10 ac-ft exempt well) $250.00; $400.00 in a Controlled Groundwater Area; Form 602I Notice of Intent (effective 01/2026) $400.00 (https://dnrc.mt.gov/_docs/water/Water-Rights-Forms/602I.pdf).
  20. Environmental Laboratory Testing Fee Schedule, effective 2024-01-01 , Montana DPHHS Laboratory Services Bureau. Accessed November 8, 2026. Total coliform P/A $25.00; nitrate+nitrite as N $28.00; Basic Screen package $55.00; Full Well Screen $340.00.
  21. Registered groundwater wells , Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  22. 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.
  23. Well and spring permits , Wyoming State Geological Survey (from Wyoming State Engineer's Office permits). Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.

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