Comparison
Submersible vs. Jet Well Pumps: Differences, Depth Limits and Costs
The choice is mostly made by your well: how far down the water is and how wide the casing is. Everything else — noise, access, cost — follows from that.
On this page
A submersible pump sits in the well below the water and pushes water up; it's the usual choice for drilled wells, especially deep ones. A jet pump sits above ground and either pulls water up by suction (shallow-well jet) or uses an ejector down the well (deep-well jet). Pentair's shallow-well jet manual says a deep-well setup may be needed once the water is more than about 25 feet down.[1] Jet pumps are cheaper and easy to reach for service, but they need priming and are audible in the house; submersibles are quieter and handle depth, but repairs mean pulling the pump.
Jet pumps pull (suction) or recirculate water through an ejector; submersibles push. Depth figures are manufacturer guidance for shallow-well jets (Pentair: a deep-well package may be needed beyond 25 ft to water).
For how either pump fits into the rest of the system, see the private well pump guide.
Which one do you have?
- Jet pump: you can see a pump and motor — usually cast iron or stainless, often with the pressure switch mounted on it — in the basement, crawl space or a well house. It hums when it runs.
- Submersible: nothing at the well but a cap; inside, just the pressure tank, switch and gauge (and a control box if it's a three-wire pump). You rarely hear it run.
Compared point by point
| Shallow-well jet | Deep-well jet | Submersible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it moves water | Suction from above | Above-ground pump drives an ejector below the water | Pushes from below the water |
| Depth to water | About 25 ft maximum (Pentair)[1] | Deeper than a shallow jet; HomeGuide describes deep-well jets for wells about 50–100 ft deep[2] | Shallow to very deep wells |
| Priming | Required; loses prime if suction leaks | Required | Not required |
| Noise in the house | Audible | Audible | Usually silent |
| Service access | Easy — above ground | Pump easy; ejector is down the well | Pump must be pulled from the well |
| Installed cost (HomeGuide) | $400–$1,000 | $500–$1,400 | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Typical weak points | Lost prime, foot valve, suction leaks, shaft seal | Lost prime, ejector clogging, foot valve | Check valve, drop pipe, motor/cable, control box (3-wire) |
Cost ranges are HomeGuide's installed estimates.[2] Jet-pump weak points come from Pentair's troubleshooting chart;[1] submersible weak points from Franklin Electric's.[3]
How to choose
1. How deep is the water — while the pump runs?
What matters is the pumping level, not just the depth when the well is resting. Pentair's jet manual advises that if the receding water level goes past 25 feet, a deep-well pump is needed.[1] Your well log (drilling record) and a contractor's water-level measurement answer this.
2. How wide is the casing?
Standard residential submersibles are 4-inch units,[3] so narrow casings and driven well points often end up with jet pumps by necessity.
3. How much water do you need, and how steady?
Both types can supply a typical home. If steady pressure matters most, a submersible with a constant-pressure drive is the usual upgrade path — see constant-pressure systems.
4. Noise and service access
A jet pump in a basement next to a bedroom is noticeable. On the other hand, a jet pump can be serviced without a pump hoist, and the whole pump is replaceable in a few hours.
Switching from a jet to a submersible
It's a common upgrade when a jet pump struggles, but it isn't just a pump swap:
- The casing must accept the submersible and its drop pipe.
- A pitless adapter (or other approved wellhead connection) and new drop pipe, wire and check valve are usually required.
- The electrical circuit may change — two-wire or three-wire, and a control box for the latter.[3]
- The pressure tank and switch should be re-checked for the new pump's flow; see tank sizing.
Permits and wellhead rules vary by state and county; a licensed well contractor handles them.
Professional-only
Pulling or setting a submersible, modifying the wellhead, and wiring the pump circuit are licensed-contractor jobs in most places. Jet pumps are easier to reach, but they run on the same line voltage and hold system pressure — power off and pressure relieved before anything is opened.
Replacement cost at a glance
HomeGuide's installed ranges: shallow-well jet $400–$1,000, deep-well jet $500–$1,400, submersible $1,000–$2,500.[2] This Old House reports $900–$2,500 for a replacement overall.[4] Depth, access and whether wire and pipe are replaced drive the difference — see well pump replacement cost.
Sources
- Pentair. Pro Shallow Well Jet Pumps — Installation & Operation Manual (P15001, 2023). Accessed Sept. 28, 2026.
- HomeGuide. How Much Does a Well Pump Cost To Replace or Install? (article dated Aug. 7, 2025). Accessed Sept. 28, 2026.
- Franklin Electric. Submersible Motors: Application, Installation & Maintenance (AIM) Manual, 60 Hz. Accessed Sept. 28, 2026.
- This Old House. Well Pump Cost and Installation Guide (updated Mar. 5, 2026). Accessed Sept. 28, 2026.
We cite manufacturer documentation and public agencies first. Read how we choose and check sources.