costtodrillawell.com

Cost to drill a well in Wisconsin: $6,100–$32,100 by county

A drilled, finished water well in Wisconsin typically costs $6,100–$32,100, with a midpoint of $16,800. Depth sets most of that price. Domestic wells here have a median depth of 130 ft across 59,877 completion reports filed 2016–2025, priced at national driller rates.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Key figures for Wisconsin

ItemFigure
Finished well, typical range (midpoint $16,800) $6,100–$32,1001,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Drilling and casing only (no pump, tank, or hookup) $3,500–$21,1001,2,3,4,5
Median well depth (59,877 reports) 130 ft1
Middle half of wells 80 ft to 200 ft1
Drilling rate (national rates) $25–$75/ft2
Median casing depth 80 ft1
Median reported yield 20 gpm1

Estimate a well in Wisconsin

Typical total: $6,100–$32,100, midpoint $16,800.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Depths from 59,877 domestic well reports in Wisconsin, 2016–2025: 79 ft (25th percentile), 126 ft (median), 200 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) (126 ft × $50/ft)$2,000$6,300$15,0002
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 ($50–$50)$100$100$1005
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–$150)$100$100$2008
Total$6,100$16,800$32,100

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Well depth by county in Wisconsin

Total depth of domestic wells by county, Wisconsin. Bar shows the middle half of wells; tick marks the median.
County Reports Median depth (ft) Middle half (ft) 0 to 480 ft
Waukesha 3,042 150 80–220
St. Croix 2,100 160 120–220
Dane 2,067 200 160–250
Oneida 1,807 60 50–100
Vilas 1,745 60 40–90
Chippewa 1,607 80 60–120
Door 1,497 240 210–270
Oconto 1,475 120 80–200
Marathon 1,465 180 90–240
Washington 1,450 180 120–230
Polk 1,418 130 80–200
Adams 1,317 60 60–80
Sawyer 1,295 80 60–130
Marinette 1,246 120 80–230
Walworth 1,228 100 70–160
Barron 1,131 80 60–140
Juneau 1,120 60 60–90
Racine 1,037 130 90–180
Brown 1,029 200 140–300
Kenosha 1,011 120 80–160
Eau Claire 988 100 80–140
Burnett 949 110 80–160
Outagamie 914 260 180–340
Washburn 914 100 70–140
Sauk 865 140 110–210
Rock 859 160 120–180
Bayfield 846 100 70–170
Dunn 833 110 80–140
Jefferson 821 140 100–160
Fond du Lac 819 170 140–230
Waupaca 777 110 70–170
Douglas 759 150 90–220
Lincoln 749 80 50–160
Wood 732 60 40–180
Winnebago 718 200 140–260
Waushara 707 100 80–140
Portage 706 100 60–170
Columbia 703 140 120–180
Clark 689 100 60–190
Dodge 687 160 120–210
Shawano 670 130 70–200
Monroe 660 110 80–190
Green 646 180 140–230
Sheboygan 631 180 130–230
Rusk 611 70 50–120
Vernon 588 240 140–370
Pierce 587 220 160–290
La Crosse 579 130 110–180
Price 572 70 50–110
Grant 560 270 170–350
Ozaukee 544 180 150–230
Trempealeau 513 110 80–150
Jackson 512 80 60–120
Marquette 490 120 80–140
Langlade 473 80 50–120
Manitowoc 472 160 140–220
Taylor 457 100 60–160
Forest 447 80 60–120
Green Lake 409 140 120–170
Iowa 373 270 190–320
Buffalo 360 110 70–160
Iron 331 80 60–170
Crawford 304 320 140–480
Richland 300 160 120–300
Kewaunee 286 160 120–220
Ashland 270 130 80–180
Lafayette 270 230 190–270
Florence 238 100 60–220
Calumet 227 190 130–320
Pepin 169 130 90–220
Menominee 131 60 50–90
Milwaukee 75 180 150–290

Median depth runs from 60 ft in Vilas County to 320 ft in Crawford County. At national rates that difference is worth about $17,800 at the midpoint estimate.

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

Where the money goes on a Wisconsin well

Drilling is billed by the foot at $25–$75/ft, so the hole alone runs $2,000–$15,000 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–$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 Wisconsin

Water wells in Wisconsin fall under Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Drinking Water and Groundwater. A new private well that is not high capacity needs a Well Construction Notification Number from the DNR before construction, rather than a written permit. Wells must be constructed by a licensed water well driller or a registered rig operator working under one, except that a property owner can drive or drill a well on their own property. The driller must file a well construction report with the DNR and the owner within 30 days of completing the well, and the DNR copy must be filed electronically. The permit or filing fee runs $100.

Sources5,9

Groundwater and well construction in Wisconsin

Well cap Submersible pump Casing to about 80 ft Total depth about 130 ft Soil and loose rock Open hole in rock
Cross-section of a 130 ft well with casing to 80 ft, the Wisconsin median

Wisconsin groundwater is held in four principal aquifers: sand and gravel, eastern dolomite, sandstone and dolomite, and crystalline bedrock.

A well at the Wisconsin median reaches 130 ft with casing to about 80 ft. A well must be 25 feet from a septic or holding tank and 50 feet from the nearest edge of a septic soil absorption system or mound.

The DNR recommends testing a private well for bacteria and nitrate once a year, and for arsenic once every five years, or yearly in Outagamie, Winnebago and Brown counties.

Sources10,1,11,12

Wisconsin compared with neighboring states

StateMedian depthTypical finished well
Wisconsin130 ft$6,100–$32,100
Illinois170 ft$6,400–$38,000
Iowa210 ft$8,100–$42,600
Michigan100 ft$5,200–$27,000
Minnesota100 ft$8,600–$28,500

Sources13,14,2,3,4,15,6,7,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24

Common questions

How deep is a typical well in Wisconsin?

Half of the 59,877 domestic wells reported in Wisconsin from 2016–2025 are between 80 ft and 200 ft deep, and the median is 130 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 Wisconsin?

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 $133/ft at a depth of 130 ft. Per-foot quotes rarely include the pump.

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

A new private well that is not high capacity needs a Well Construction Notification Number from the DNR before construction, rather than a written permit. Expect a fee of $100. 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 Wisconsin?

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. Well Construction Reports , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 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. 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.
  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. 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.
  9. Wis. Admin. Code NR 812.10, Reports , Wisconsin Legislature. Accessed November 9, 2026. Content taken from search excerpts.
  10. Groundwater: Wisconsin's Buried Treasure , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 9, 2026. Content taken from search excerpts.
  11. Driven point well - sand well , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 9, 2026. Content taken from search excerpts; cites NR 812.
  12. Test your private well water annually , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 9, 2026. Content taken from search excerpts.
  13. ILWATER, Water and Related Wells , Illinois State Geological Survey. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  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. 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).
  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. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. Minnesota Well Index , Minnesota Department of Health. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.

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