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Cost to drill a well in Tennessee: $7,900–$44,800 by county

A drilled, finished water well in Tennessee typically costs $7,900–$44,800, with a midpoint of $22,000. Depth sets most of that price. Domestic wells here have a median depth of 220 ft across 22,075 completion reports filed 2016–2025, priced at national driller rates.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Key figures for Tennessee

ItemFigure
Finished well, typical range (midpoint $22,000) $7,900–$44,8001,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Drilling and casing only (no pump, tank, or hookup) $5,300–$33,7001,2,3,4,5
Median well depth (22,075 reports) 220 ft1
Middle half of wells 150 ft to 360 ft1
Drilling rate (national rates) $25–$75/ft2
Median casing depth 80 ft1
Median reported yield 10 gpm1

Estimate a well in Tennessee

Typical total: $7,900–$44,800, midpoint $22,000.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Depths from 22,075 domestic well reports in Tennessee, 2016–2025: 150 ft (25th percentile), 220 ft (median), 360 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) (220 ft × $50/ft)$3,800$11,000$27,0002
Casing, installed (83 ft × $28/ft)$800$2,300$3,7003
Rig mobilization and setup ($550–$2,500)$600$1,500$2,5004
Well permit ($50–$500)$100$300$5005
Pump, wire, and drop pipe, installed ($1,000–$4,000)$1,000$2,500$4,0006
Pressure tank and switch, installed ($500–$1,800)$500$1,200$1,8006
Trench, water line, and electrical to the house ($1,000–$5,000)$1,000$3,000$5,0007
Water quality test ($50–$250)$100$200$3008
Total$7,900$22,000$44,800

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

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Well depth by county in Tennessee

Total depth of domestic wells by county, Tennessee. Bar shows the middle half of wells; tick marks the median.
County Reports Median depth (ft) Middle half (ft) 0 to 610 ft
Sevier 2,138 430 290–610
Fayette 1,134 170 150–190
Humphreys 661 200 150–280
Monroe 630 320 220–460
Williamson 562 220 170–300
Lawrence 553 130 100–210
Cocke 547 330 210–510
Jefferson 526 350 240–500
McMinn 481 280 190–410
Grainger 476 330 230–450
Hawkins 472 270 190–410
Blount 427 350 240–500
Stewart 410 240 170–320
Hickman 369 200 140–260
Wayne 362 180 140–250
Marshall 356 200 150–300
Lewis 350 180 120–230
Chester 344 130 100–150
Carroll 343 130 100–160
Bledsoe 342 240 180–360
Madison 317 150 120–180
Union 305 330 230–460
Hardeman 302 160 130–200
Henry 301 130 110–160
Polk 295 290 210–390
Claiborne 294 320 210–450
Knox 287 310 220–450
Maury 270 300 200–500
Johnson 267 360 250–490
Benton 257 130 80–180
Weakley 250 150 120–180
Van Buren 249 230 180–260
Marion 248 200 130–310
Gibson 241 150 130–180
Hancock 236 270 190–400
Carter 231 330 230–430
Cannon 225 130 90–260
Washington 216 410 290–570
Cumberland 215 240 180–300
Loudon 211 390 240–530
Rutherford 210 250 180–350
Bradley 207 290 200–360
Sequatchie 205 300 200–400
Perry 185 200 150–310
Fentress 184 180 150–260
Greene 173 350 230–510
Sumner 171 160 100–200
Meigs 167 350 250–500
Dickson 164 200 140–280
Grundy 163 130 90–200
Cheatham 158 220 180–240
McNairy 157 130 110–160
Hamilton 151 300 200–460
Giles 137 210 140–310
Hardin 135 200 130–300
Tipton 128 110 100–160
Henderson 127 140 120–160
Bedford 124 230 170–360
Franklin 121 190 110–250
Wilson 120 210 160–300
Roane 112 390 260–510
Rhea 110 310 230–430
Haywood 108 170 140–200
Morgan 107 250 200–350
Overton 107 200 140–310
Coffee 104 90 70–160
Robertson 97 160 120–220
Sullivan 93 410 310–600
Crockett 89 180 140–200
Lincoln 87 100 70–250
Macon 85 130 80–160
Unicoi 84 260 200–390
Houston 83 220 160–300
Campbell 78 230 170–390
Davidson 78 300 190–300
DeKalb 76 180 100–240
Warren 71 100 80–140
Putnam 64 150 100–230
Shelby 63 200 180–260
Decatur 58 220 150–350
Jackson 58 150 130–200
Hamblen 52 330 260–510
White 52 150 100–200
Anderson 40 340 220–490
Obion 40 150 100–180
Montgomery 37 300 240–350
Dyer 36 140 110–190
Smith* 27 200 120–260
Scott* 26 250 200–480
Lauderdale* 22 120 100–180
Clay* 16 140 100–190
Moore* 13 250 100–300
Trousdale* 10 170 150–300
Lake* 3 90 80–100
Pickett* 2 210 190–220

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

Median depth runs from 90 ft in Coffee County to 430 ft in Sevier County. At national rates that difference is worth about $17,600 at the midpoint estimate. 8 of 95 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 Tennessee well

Drilling is billed by the foot at $25–$75/ft, so the hole alone runs $3,800–$27,000 at the depths above. Casing, the steel or PVC pipe that lines the upper borehole, adds $800–$3,700 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.

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

Permits and driller licensing in Tennessee

Water wells in Tennessee fall under Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Resources. Anyone who drills, redrills or supervises drilling of a water well needs a license from the Division of Water Resources. Licenses expire on July 31 each year and must be renewed. Under Rule 0400-45-09, the driller must submit a report to the Department within 60 days after completing a water well. A Notice of Intent to drill must be submitted before drilling starts.

Sources9,10

Groundwater and well construction in Tennessee

Well cap Submersible pump Casing to about 80 ft Total depth about 220 ft Soil and loose rock Open hole in rock
Cross-section of a 220 ft well with casing to 80 ft, the Tennessee median

Much of the Interior Low Plateaus is underlain by Mississippian limestone aquifers, called the Highland Rim aquifer system in Tennessee. These karst areas are vulnerable to contamination through sinkholes.

A well at the Tennessee median reaches 220 ft with casing to about 80 ft. Rule 0400-45-09 requires the driller's report to confirm that the septic tank and field lines are 50 feet or more from the water well.

Tennessee has no rules requiring private well testing, and the state does not routinely sample private wells. The Tennessee Department of Health advises testing well water annually and after events such as flooding.

Sources11,1,10,12

Tennessee compared with neighboring states

StateMedian depthTypical finished well
Tennessee220 ft$7,900–$44,800
Alabamano records$6,800–$42,500
Arkansasno records$6,800–$42,500
Georgiano records$7,300–$29,000
Kentucky140 ft$6,500–$32,800
Mississippino records$6,800–$42,500
Missouri370 ft$11,200–$55,400
North Carolinano records$4,900–$25,600
Virginiano records$6,800–$42,500

Sources13,14,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,15,16,17,18,19,20,21

Common questions

How deep is a typical well in Tennessee?

Half of the 22,075 domestic wells reported in Tennessee from 2016–2025 are between 150 ft and 360 ft deep, and the median is 220 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 Tennessee?

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 $100/ft at a depth of 220 ft. Per-foot quotes rarely include the pump.

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

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 cost to drill a well.

Sources

  1. Water Well Program, well locations , Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  2. 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+.
  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. 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).
  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. 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.
  9. Well Driller or Installer License , Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Accessed November 9, 2026. Content taken from search excerpts.
  10. Rule 0400-45-09 Water Well Licensing Regulations and Well Construction Standards , Tennessee Secretary of State. Accessed November 9, 2026. 2015 version; content taken from search excerpts.
  11. Ground Water Atlas of the United States, Segment 10 (HA 730-K), Interior Low Plateaus aquifers , USGS. Accessed November 9, 2026. Sinkhole vulnerability statement is from a related USGS report (WRI 85-4252).
  12. Well Water Testing Test Kit Steps and Interpretation , Tennessee Department of Health. Accessed November 9, 2026. Content taken from search excerpts.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. Well Services FAQs , Well Watchers / Expert Well Drilling & Well Pump Services (Milner, GA). Accessed November 8, 2026. 2026 footer. Central Georgia drilling $25-$35/ft; pump system $1,500-$3,000; pump replacement $1,200-$2,500; permits and testing $300-$600; total $5,000-$12,000.
  16. Well Permit application (Well_Permit_24.pdf) , Pierce County Board of Health / Planning & Codes (Blackshear, GA). Accessed November 8, 2026. 2024. Well permit fee $70.00 under the Water Well Standards Act (O.C.G.A. 12-5-120 et seq.). County boards of health set fees in Georgia.
  17. Testing Services (UGA AESL water tests via county office) , University of Georgia Extension, Harris County. Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. W35 total coliform/E. coli $36; W6 nitrate-N $16; W1 basic water test $24; W2 expanded $64; W33B home loan closing kit $85.
  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. Water well records (WIMS) , Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  20. How much does it cost to drill a well? , Merrill Drilling & Water Systems (Penrose, NC). Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated (site 2023; images 2018). Drilling about $10/ft low end up to $30/ft; casing $5-$20/ft; permits $200-$500 residential; drilling alone from $2,000.
  21. Fee Schedule , Gaston County Environmental Health (NC). Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. Well installation permit $450; state-required water test for new wells $150; bacteriological only $80; inorganic only $80; both $150.

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