How much does it cost to run a sewage ejector pump?
A sewage ejector pump costs about 18¢ per hour, 4.5¢ a day, $1.37 a month and $16 a year at typical use (15 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Sewage ejector and grinder pumps of 1/2-2 hp draw 0.8-2 kW but run only a few minutes a day.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 1.00 | 18¢ | $5.48 | $66 |
| 2 hours | 2.00 | 36¢ | $10.95 | $131 |
| 4 hours | 4.00 | 72¢ | $21.90 | $263 |
| 8 hours | 8.00 | $1.44 | $43.81 | $526 |
| 12 hours | 12.00 | $2.16 | $65.71 | $789 |
| 24 hours | 24.00 | $4.32 | $131 | $1,577 |
Cost to run a sewage ejector pump in every state
The same sewage ejector pump costs $11 a year in North Dakota and $40 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¢ | 12¢ | $0.94 | $11 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 13¢ | $0.96 | $12 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 13¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 13¢ | $0.99 | $12 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 13¢ | $1.01 | $12 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 13¢ | $1.02 | $12 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 13¢ | $1.02 | $12 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 14¢ | $1.03 | $12 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 14¢ | $1.04 | $13 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 14¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 14¢ | $1.06 | $13 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 14¢ | $1.06 | $13 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 14¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 14¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 14¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 14¢ | $1.08 | $13 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 15¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 15¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 15¢ | $1.15 | $14 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 15¢ | $1.15 | $14 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 15¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 15¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 15¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 15¢ | $1.18 | $14 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 16¢ | $1.18 | $14 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 16¢ | $1.19 | $14 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 16¢ | $1.21 | $15 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 16¢ | $1.23 | $15 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 16¢ | $1.25 | $15 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 16¢ | $1.25 | $15 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 17¢ | $1.26 | $15 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 17¢ | $1.29 | $15 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 18¢ | $1.35 | $16 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 18¢ | $1.39 | $17 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 19¢ | $1.43 | $17 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 19¢ | $1.43 | $17 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 21¢ | $1.58 | $19 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 21¢ | $1.60 | $19 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 21¢ | $1.60 | $19 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 24¢ | $1.81 | $22 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 24¢ | $1.81 | $22 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 24¢ | $1.84 | $22 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 27¢ | $2.03 | $24 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 27¢ | $2.04 | $25 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 28¢ | $2.13 | $26 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 28¢ | $2.16 | $26 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 29¢ | $2.23 | $27 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 29¢ | $2.23 | $27 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 30¢ | $2.32 | $28 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 33¢ | $2.51 | $30 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 44¢ | $3.31 | $40 |
How to cut the cost
- Never flush wipes or grease; clogs make the pump run longer and fail.
- Check the check valve and float so the pump doesn't short-cycle.
- Reduce water use on basement fixtures that feed the pit.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Alerts you before a failing pump floods the basement.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sewage ejector pump | 1,000 | 15 minutes a day | $1.37 | $16 |
| Sump pump | 800 | 18 minutes a day | $1.31 | $16 |
| Septic aerator | 80 | 24 hours a day | $10.51 | $126 |
| Well pump | 1,400 | 1 hour a day | $7.67 | $92 |
| Water pressure booster pump | 700 | 45 minutes a day | $2.87 | $34 |
| Garage door opener | 450 | 2 minutes a day | $0.60 | $7 |
| Electric gate opener | 250 | 3 minutes a day | $0.72 | $9 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a sewage ejector pump per hour?
A sewage ejector pump drawing 1,000 watts uses 1.00 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 18¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 12¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 44¢.
How much does it cost to run a sewage ejector pump per month?
At typical use (15 minutes a day), a sewage ejector pump costs about $1.37 a month and $16 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 sewage ejector pump use?
Most sewage ejector pumps use 600 to 2,000 watts. Starting surge can reach 3,000 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a sewage ejector pump use?
About 0.25 kWh a day and 91 kWh a year at typical use (15 minutes a day).
Does a sewage ejector pump use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 91 kWh a year it's a small share (0.9%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a sewage ejector pump or a sump pump?
At typical use, a sewage ejector pump costs about $16 a year versus $16 for a sump pump. So the sump pump is cheaper by about $1 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a sewage ejector pump?
- Never flush wipes or grease; clogs make the pump run longer and fail.
- Check the check valve and float so the pump doesn't short-cycle.
- Reduce water use on basement fixtures that feed the pit.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.