Montana Well Drilling Cost 2026: $7,560 Avg + $28-$62/ft

Bottom line: Water well drilling in Montana costs $28–$62 per foot in 2026, with the average residential project running $7,560 complete. Montana’s typical well depth is 180 feet (range: 40–500 ft), and the primary aquifer is the Fox Hills-Hell Creek Aquifer / Judith River Formation / Mountain Valley Alluvial Aquifers.

This guide covers 2026 Montana well drilling pricing — by depth, region, and project scope — plus the geology, permit rules, licensing requirements, and seasonal considerations that affect every Montana well project.

Montana Well Drilling Cost at a Glance

Cost Factor	Montana 2026
Average total project cost	$7,560
Cost per foot (drilling only)	$28–$62
Average residential well depth	180 feet
Typical depth range	40–500 ft
Primary aquifer	Fox Hills-Hell Creek Aquifer / Judith River Formation / Mountain Valley Alluvial Aquifers
Water table depth	30-150 feet in eastern Montana; 20-200 feet in western mountain valleys
Permit cost range	$100-$300
Best drilling months	May through October

Cost by Well Depth in Montana

These ranges use Montana’s typical per-foot cost ($28–$62, average $42) plus standard pump/casing/electrical hookup ($2,500–$5,000). Final cost depends on geology, water yield, and pump sizing.

Well Depth	Montana Drilling Cost	Complete System
100 ft (shallow)	$2,800–$6,200	$5,300–$11,200
180 ft (typical)	$5,040–$11,160	$7,540–$16,160
300 ft (moderate)	$8,400–$18,600	$10,900–$23,600
500 ft (deep)	$14,000–$31,000	$16,500–$36,000

For a complete national breakdown, see our well drilling cost per foot guide or the main well drilling cost guide.

Montana Geology and Drilling Conditions

Montana’s eastern Great Plains have thick alluvial and glacial deposits overlying the Fox Hills-Hell Creek and Fort Union sandstone aquifers. Western Montana’s mountain valleys have productive alluvial aquifers in river gravels, flanked by crystalline rock of the northern Rockies.

The Fox Hills-Hell Creek Aquifer / Judith River Formation / Mountain Valley Alluvial Aquifers is Montana’s primary source of residential well water. Water table depth ranges from 30-150 feet in eastern Montana; 20-200 feet in western mountain valleys, which directly affects how deep your well must be drilled. Wells targeting deeper aquifers cost proportionally more — both for the additional drilling time and for heavier-duty pumps required to lift water from greater depths.

Common Water Quality Issues in Montana

Montana well water frequently contains: arsenic, iron, manganese, nitrate, uranium, and sodium in some eastern formations.

These contaminants don’t always make water unsafe — many are aesthetic (iron staining, hardness) rather than health concerns — but they affect treatment system requirements:

• Iron and manganese are the most common nuisance contaminants. Treatment: oxidation filter or water softener with iron-removing resin ($800–$2,500 installed).
• Hardness (calcium, magnesium) requires a water softener ($800–$2,500 for whole-house systems). See our water softeners guide.
• Hydrogen sulfide (“rotten egg” smell) is treated with aeration or chlorination ($500–$2,000).
• Bacteria (coliform, E. coli) require shock chlorination plus UV disinfection or chlorination injection ($500–$1,500).
• Arsenic, uranium, radon are health-critical contaminants requiring specific treatment systems and ongoing testing.

Always test new wells for the full panel before connecting to your home’s plumbing. See our well water test kits guide for testing options.

What’s Included in a Montana Well Drilling Quote

A typical Montana well drilling quote covers:

• Drilling and casing — the well bore (steel or PVC casing)
• Well screen — filters out sand and sediment at the water-bearing zone
• Grout seal — cement seal around the casing to prevent surface contamination
• Development — flushing to maximize water yield
• Well cap — sanitary seal at the top

Not typically included (budget separately):

Additional Cost	Price Range
Submersible pump + installation	$1,000–$3,500
Pressure tank	$300–$1,500
Electrical hookup	$500–$1,500
Water line to house	$500–$3,000
Water testing (full panel)	$200–$500
Treatment system (if needed)	$500–$5,000

A complete Montana well system with pump, pressure tank, and connections typically runs $10,060–$33,500 for average depths.

Permits and Licensing in Montana

Permitting: Well drilling permits in Montana are administered by Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC); all wells must obtain a water right or qualify for an exempt appropriation. Permit costs run $100-$300 depending on county and well type.

Licensing: Montana requires water well drillers and monitoring well drillers to be licensed by the Montana Board of Water Well Contractors. No homeowner self-drilling exemption.

Water rights: Montana follows the Prior Appropriation; exempt wells (domestic use under 35 gpm) can be drilled without a full appropriation but must be registered with DNRC doctrine for groundwater. Understand the rules before drilling — exempt wells (typically domestic under a stated GPM threshold) often have simpler permitting, while higher-yield or commercial wells require full appropriation procedures.

Best Time to Drill in Montana

May through October; harsh winters and frozen ground significantly limit drilling in most of the state

Driller schedules typically fill 4–8 weeks in advance, especially in peak season. Book early if your timing is flexible. Off-season drilling (where climate allows) sometimes captures 5–15% labor savings.

How Many Montana Households Use Well Water

About 30% of Montana households use private wells, one of the highest rates nationally, reflecting the state’s vast rural landscapes

This concentration directly affects driller availability — counties with high private-well density (typically rural areas, certain river basins, mountain regions) have more drillers competing for work and more competitive pricing. Metro areas with mostly municipal water often see fewer drillers and higher per-foot rates.

Top Cities for Well Drilling in Montana

The largest residential well drilling markets in Montana include Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, and Helena. Pricing varies more by sub-region (driven by geology and well-density) than by metro area in Montana. For driller listings by city, browse our Montana well driller directory.

How to Save Money on a Montana Well

1. Get at least 3 quotes. Per-foot rates vary 20–40% between drillers for the same well. Request 3 free quotes from licensed Montana drillers.
2. Check with neighbors first. Nearby wells give you a realistic depth estimate — the biggest cost driver. Drillers in Montana typically have permit records you can search to find depth data near your property.
3. Ask about depth guarantees. Some Montana drillers cap their quote at an agreed depth — if they hit water shallower, you save; if they drill deeper, they absorb the cost.
4. Bundle the work. Hiring one company for drilling + pump + electrical hookup typically saves $500–$1,500 vs separate contractors.
5. Don’t skimp on the pump. A properly sized submersible pump costs more upfront but lasts 12–20 years vs 5–8 years for budget pumps in Montana’s typical depth range. See our submersible pumps guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a well cost in Montana?

The average Montana residential well costs $7,560 complete with pump and connection. Drilling alone runs $28–$62 per foot. A typical 180-foot well costs $5,040–$11,160 for drilling, plus $2,500–$5,000 for pump and hookup.

How deep are wells in Montana?

The average residential well depth in Montana is 180 feet, with most wells ranging from 40–500 feet depending on geology and target aquifer. Wells in the Fox Hills-Hell Creek Aquifer typically hit water sooner; deeper aquifers require correspondingly longer drilling.

Do I need a permit to drill a well in Montana?

Yes — Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC); all wells must obtain a water right or qualify for an exempt appropriation regulates well drilling in Montana, with permits costing $100-$300. Some exempt wells (typically domestic use under a stated GPM threshold) have simpler procedures, but most residential wells require full permits before drilling can begin.

Can I drill my own well in Montana?

Montana requires water well drillers and monitoring well drillers to be licensed by the Montana Board of Water Well Contractors.

How long does it take to drill a well in Montana?

Most residential wells in Montana are completed in 1–3 days of actual drilling. Including pump installation, electrical, and plumbing, plan on 1–2 weeks for the full project. Permit approval typically adds 2–6 weeks before drilling can start.

Is Montana well water safe to drink?

Montana well water is generally safe when properly tested and treated for the local quality issues (arsenic, iron, manganese, nitrate, uranium, and sodium in some eastern formations). Private well owners are responsible for testing — there’s no government oversight like there is for municipal water. Test annually for bacteria and nitrates; do a full chemical panel every 3–5 years and immediately after any nearby construction or land use change.

How long do wells last in Montana?

Properly drilled and maintained wells in Montana typically last 30–50 years for the well bore itself. The pump is the most common component to fail — premium submersibles last 12–20 years; budget pumps 5–10. Pressure tanks last 8–15 years. Routine pump and pressure tank replacements add up to a fraction of the original drilling cost over the well’s life.

Get a Montana Well Drilling Quote

The fastest way to know your actual cost is to get quotes from licensed Montana drillers familiar with your specific area’s geology. Request 3 free estimates.

For more on related topics, see our main well drilling cost guide, well pump costs, or browse Montana well drillers.