Updated 30 September 2026
Well depth decides the pump type, not preference. Jet pumps handle shallow wells up to about 25 feet with a single pipe, or up to roughly 90 to 100 feet with a two-pipe deep-well jet setup, while submersible pumps handle everything past that range and remain the more efficient, quieter option even in shallower wells.
The submersible vs jet well pump decision starts with a single number: how deep your well actually is. The EPA identifies jet pumps as the standard choice for shallow wells of 25 feet or less, while submersible pumps are the standard for deep private wells, mounted inside the casing rather than above ground. That single depth line answers most of the question before price, noise, or efficiency ever enter the conversation.
Manufacturer specs show how far apart the two designs really are. Franklin Water rates its 3200 Series submersible pump to a maximum shut-off head of 1,152 feet, a depth no jet pump can approach because jet pumps rely on surface suction rather than being pushed from below the waterline. A submersible works at almost any residential well depth; a jet pump only works within its suction limit.
Homeowners doing a shallow well pump comparison usually run into the same three sticking points: which pump actually fits their well’s measured depth, which one costs less to run month to month, and which one is easier to service without a well contractor. Guess wrong on any of the three and you end up paying twice, once for the wrong pump and once for the replacement.
Challenges That Make the Submersible vs. Jet Decision Harder Than It Looks
The first challenge is that well depth is rarely written down anywhere convenient. Homeowners who inherited a well from a previous owner often have no completion report, so they guess at depth instead of measuring it, and a wrong guess leads straight to an underpowered jet pump straining past its suction limit.
This comparison sits in our Wells & Pumps section alongside the pump lifespan guide and the replacement cost guide.
The second challenge is confusing static water level with total well depth. A well can be drilled to 200 feet but have a water table sitting at only 20 feet; what matters for pump selection is the depth to water, not the depth of the hole, and mixing the two up sends people toward the wrong pump type entirely.
The third challenge is retrofitting. Replacing a jet pump with a submersible (or the reverse) usually means new wiring, a new pressure switch, a pitless adapter to route the drop pipe through the casing wall, and sometimes a new pressure tank sizing, which adds cost that a simple pump-for-pump swap would not carry. Knowing how long a well pump typically lasts helps homeowners plan that retrofit before a failure forces the decision.
Submersible vs. Jet Well Pumps at a Glance
| Factor | Submersible pump | Jet pump |
|---|---|---|
| Depth range | Roughly 25 ft to 400+ ft; rated to over 1,000 ft on high-head models | Up to about 25 ft (shallow, single pipe); up to roughly 90 to 100 ft (deep well, two pipe) |
| Installation location | Inside the well casing, fully underwater | Above ground, at the wellhead or in a pump house |
| Priming | Never needs priming; the pump is always submerged | Must be primed before use and loses prime if air enters the line |
| Noise | Silent at the surface; the motor runs underground | Audible motor hum at the wellhead |
| Depth efficiency | Holds steady efficiency as depth increases | Efficiency drops fast as depth nears the suction limit |
| Access for repair | Requires pulling the pump from the casing | Accessible above ground without pulling anything from the well |
Submersible Pumps: Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Works at almost any residential well depth, including wells far past what a jet pump can reach.
- Never loses prime, since the impellers stay submerged in water at all times.
- Runs quietly at the surface because the motor and moving parts are underground.
Disadvantages
- Repair or replacement requires pulling the pump and pipe out of the casing.
- Higher equipment and installation cost than a comparable jet pump.
- Wire and pipe both run down the well, adding points that can fail underground.
Jet Pumps: Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Mounted above ground, so service and repair never require opening the well casing.
- Lower upfront equipment cost for wells shallow enough to suit the design.
- Simpler wiring, since the motor sits at the surface next to the pressure tank.
Disadvantages
- Limited by suction lift, so depth capability tops out well below a submersible’s range.
- Can lose prime if air enters the suction line, stopping water delivery until re-primed.
- Motor noise is audible at the wellhead, unlike a submerged submersible motor.
- Mounted above ground, so a jet pump in an unheated pump house or crawlspace needs freeze protection in cold climates that a buried submersible never faces.
Cost and Efficiency in Practice
A submersible pump usually costs more to buy and install than a jet pump built for the same flow rate, mainly because the wire, drop pipe, and check valves all have to be sized for placement deep in the casing. That higher upfront cost buys efficiency that holds steady no matter how deep the well runs, since the pump pushes water rather than fighting suction against atmospheric pressure.
A jet pump also depends on staying primed, something a submersible never has to worry about. Our how to prime a well pump guide covers the steps when a jet pump loses suction.
Jet pumps cost less upfront and are easier for a handy homeowner to service, but the efficiency trade-off shows up as depth increases. A jet pump working near its suction limit runs longer and harder to deliver the same volume of water a submersible would move with less strain, which shows up as a higher electric bill over time even though the equipment itself cost less to install.
Franklin Water’s residential 3200 Series submersible pumps span 1/2 horsepower to 1.5 horsepower in standard configurations, with stainless steel pump ends available up to 2 and 3 horsepower for higher-head applications. The lineup runs 10 to 38 internal stages depending on flow rate and horsepower, which is how a single submersible design covers everything from a shallow residential well to a deep, high-head installation.
Source: Franklin Water, FPS 3200 Series Submersible Well Pump
Before buying either pump type, get an actual depth-to-water measurement, not a guess based on the well’s drilled depth. A well contractor can sound the well in a few minutes, and that single number rules out the wrong pump type immediately.
How to Choose Between a Submersible and Jet Well Pump
Start with the measured depth to water, not the casing depth or a neighbor’s opinion. If that number sits at 25 feet or shallower, a jet pump is a legitimate, lower-cost option worth pricing out. Past that depth, a submersible stops being optional. The physics of suction lift, not brand preference, makes that call.
Low pressure at the tap alone, with no depth or priming issue, usually points to a booster pump rather than a pump type swap. If your well sits in the gray zone between roughly 25 and 100 feet, weigh the trade-off directly: a deep-well jet pump costs less to install but runs less efficiently and needs priming, while a submersible costs more upfront but needs no priming and holds its efficiency at that depth. Well pump replacement cost is the next thing to check once you know which type your well actually needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which pump type is best for shallow wells?
A jet pump is the standard choice for shallow wells of 25 feet or less, since it mounts above ground and uses suction to draw water without needing to be lowered into the casing. Past that depth, a submersible becomes the more practical and efficient option.
What is the cost difference between submersible and jet pumps?
Submersible pumps typically cost more to buy and install because the wire, drop pipe, and fittings all have to be rated for placement inside the well casing. Jet pumps cost less upfront and are simpler to install since the entire unit stays above ground.
Which pump type is more energy efficient?
Submersible pumps hold their efficiency steady as well depth increases, since they push water from below rather than pulling it up by suction. Jet pumps lose efficiency as depth approaches their suction limit, which can mean higher electricity use for the same water output.
What maintenance does each pump type need?
Jet pumps need occasional re-priming if air enters the suction line, along with routine checks of the above-ground motor and fittings. Submersible pumps need less routine attention since they never lose prime, but any repair requires pulling the entire pump and drop pipe out of the casing.
Can I switch from a jet pump to a submersible pump?
Switching is possible but usually involves more than swapping the pump itself: new wiring rated for submersible use, a new pressure switch, and sometimes a different pressure tank setup. A well contractor can confirm whether the casing and depth support the switch before any equipment is purchased.
