How much does it cost to run a breast pump?
A breast pump costs about 0.2¢ per hour, 0.3¢ a day, $0.08 a month and $1 a year at typical use (1.5 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Electric breast pumps draw 5-15 W; even with heavy use the annual cost is under $3.
Calculate your cost
Add as many devices as you like to compare them side by side. Search again to add another, or use Duplicate to compare two settings.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.01 | 0.2¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| 2 hours | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| 4 hours | 0.04 | 0.7¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| 8 hours | 0.08 | 1.4¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| 12 hours | 0.12 | 2.2¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| 24 hours | 0.24 | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
Cost to run a breast pump in every state
The same breast pump costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $2 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.06 | $1 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
How to cut the cost
- Use battery mode and recharge once a day.
- Unplug the charger when not in use.
- Use rechargeable wearables only when you need mobility; plug-in pumps are slightly more efficient.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
No electricity, useful for occasional sessions.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breast pump | 10 | 1.5 hours a day | $0.08 | $1 |
| Baby bottle warmer | 400 | 30 minutes a day | $1.16 | $14 |
| Bottle sterilizer and dryer | 500 | 36 minutes a day, 5 days a week | $1.17 | $14 |
| Baby monitor | 5 | 24 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| Kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) | 25 | 2 hours a day, 3 days a week | $0.12 | $1 |
| Sound machine | 3 | 10 hours a day | $0.20 | $2 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a breast pump per hour?
A breast pump drawing 10 watts uses 0.01 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.2¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.1¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.4¢.
How much does it cost to run a breast pump per month?
At typical use (1.5 hours a day), a breast pump costs about $0.08 a month and $1 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a breast pump use?
Most breast pumps use 5 to 20 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a breast pump use?
About 0.01 kWh a day and 5 kWh a year at typical use (1.5 hours a day).
Does a breast pump use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 5 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a breast pump or a baby bottle warmer?
At typical use, a breast pump costs about $1 a year versus $14 for a baby bottle warmer. So the breast pump is cheaper by about $13 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a breast pump?
- Use battery mode and recharge once a day.
- Unplug the charger when not in use.
- Use rechargeable wearables only when you need mobility; plug-in pumps are slightly more efficient.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.