How long a well pump lasts: 8–15 years for a submersible
A residential submersible well pump lasts about 10 to 15 years on a 3-wire motor and 8 to 13 years on a 2-wire, per pump supplier R.C. Worst. Sand and frequent starts cut that short: a pump cycling 50 or more times a day may not reach 10. Replacing one costs $1,000–$4,000 installed on our national band.
1,Key figures
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Where the years come from
No agency or extension service we checked publishes a pump lifespan. The 8 to 15 year figures are from R.C. Worst, a pump supplier, writing in 2018; it credits 3-wire motors with about two more years because the separate control box makes them easier to troubleshoot and service. The manufacturers commit to much less. Grundfos warrants its pumps for 24 months from startup or 30 months from the date code, and its policy covers Franklin Electric submersible motors for 12 months from installation.
What wears a pump out
| Factor | Effect | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sand and sediment | Under 2 years in extreme cases; 15 or more with none | R.C. Worst |
| 50 or more starts a day | Under 10 years | R.C. Worst |
| Rapid cycling | Spline and bearing damage, motor overheating | Franklin Electric |
| Wrong pump for the well | Short cycling, long runtime, early motor wear | Franklin Electric |
| Low-quality motor | About half the life of a good one | R.C. Worst |
Franklin Electric says a motor should run at least one minute per start to shed the heat from starting current, and that its submersible motors depend on water flowing past them for cooling.
How to make it last
Most of what you control is cycling. A pressure tank sized for at least a minute of run time and charged to about 2 psi below the switch cut-in keeps starts down. Pentair notes that a larger tank means fewer cycles and longer runs, which adds to pump life. Where the well makes sand, deal with it before it reaches the pump.
Common questions
Should I replace a 15 year old pump that still works?
Not just for its age. R.C. Worst reports pumps lasting 15 years or more where there is no sediment. Watch for short cycling, falling pressure and higher power bills.
Do jet pumps last as long?
We found no sourced lifespan for jet pumps, so we do not give one. They sit above ground, which makes them easier to service and replace.
For the cost of a finished well in your state, see how much a well costs.
Sources
- How Long Should My Submersible Well Pump Last? , R.C. Worst & Company Inc. (pump supplier). Accessed November 9, 2026. 2018-11-02. Residential 3-wire 10-15 years; 2-wire 8-13 years; 50+ cycles a day under 10 years; extreme sediment under 2 years, no sediment 15+ years.
- 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.
- 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.
- U.S. Grundfos Warranty Policy , Grundfos. Accessed November 9, 2026. 8/26/2020 (rates effective January 1, 2020)
- Franklin Electric AIM Manual (submersible motors), Form No. 3656 , Franklin Electric Co., Inc.. Accessed November 9, 2026. 04/2013 (form footer)
- Pump reliability with proper installation , Franklin Electric (franklinwater.com). Accessed November 9, 2026. 08/10/2026
- WELLMATE WM01, WM02 In-Line Pressure Tanks datasheet , Pentair (Wellmate). Accessed November 9, 2026. PDF metadata 2012-12-06 (file revision mr14)
- Pressure Tanks , The Driller (Bob Pelikan). Accessed November 9, 2026. January 3, 2006
How these figures are built: methodology. Updated November 2026.