Motor Only or Whole Pump?
A pool pump is two parts: the motor (the electrical end) and the wet end (housing, impeller, basket, seal). When a pump "dies," it's usually the motor: bearings, capacitor, or windings. The wet end is often fine.
That gives you two options:
- Motor replacement: swap the motor onto your existing wet end. Cheaper, but on an old single-speed pump you're putting new money into old technology.
- Whole pump replacement: new motor and wet end as one unit. Costs more, but it's the only way to move to variable speed on most pumps.
What a New Pool Pump Costs in 2026
| Pump Type | Equipment | Installed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-speed motor only | $200–$450 | $350–$800 | Reuses your wet end |
| Single-speed whole pump | $300–$700 | $500–$1,100 | Mostly for replacement-only situations |
| Dual-speed pump | $500–$900 | $800–$1,400 | Low and high speed; less common now |
| Variable-speed (VS) pump | $500–$1,300 | $700–$1,800 | The standard new install |
| VS pump, high-flow or commercial | $1,200–$2,200 | $1,600–$3,000 | Large pools, water features, spa combos |
Installed pricing includes plumbing adaptation, electrical hookup, priming, and programming. Expect the high end of each range in markets with higher labor costs or if the new pump needs a different footprint than the old one.
Why Most New Pumps Are Variable Speed
Federal efficiency rules from the Department of Energy set minimum efficiency standards for residential pool pumps that most single-speed pumps above a certain size can't meet. The practical effect: for a typical in-ground pool, the pump you can buy new is a variable-speed pump. Single-speed options still exist for small pools and above-ground pools, and replacement motors are still available, but the whole-pump market has moved.
This isn't a bad thing. It just means the upgrade decision has mostly been made for you.
The Electricity Math
A single-speed pump runs at full power (often 1.5 to 2 horsepower) whenever it's on. A variable-speed pump can run the same water through the filter at a much lower RPM for more hours, and the physics favors slow: cutting the speed in half cuts the power draw to roughly an eighth.
In practice:
- A single-speed pump running 8 hours a day often costs $60 to $150 a month in electricity, depending on your rate and pump size
- The same pool on a variable-speed pump at low RPM for 12 to 16 hours often costs $15 to $50 a month
That difference typically pays back the extra cost of a VS pump in one to three years. In year-round markets like Florida, Arizona, and Texas, where the pump runs twelve months, the payback is at the fast end. Many utilities also offer rebates for VS pumps; ask your installer or check your utility's website.
Sizing: Bigger Is Not Better
The most common mistake is replacing a pump with a larger one "for more power." An oversized pump:
- Pushes water faster than the filter can clean it
- Raises filter pressure and shortens filter life
- Uses more electricity for no benefit
Match the pump to your pool volume, pipe size, and filter rating. A variable-speed pump makes this forgiving because you tune it down, but the installer should still size it correctly. Ask them how they chose the model.
What Labor Includes
A straightforward swap takes a tech one to three hours:
- 1Shut down and isolate the equipment
- 2Cut out the old pump and adapt the plumbing to the new footprint
- 3Wire the new pump (VS pumps often need a different electrical connection than a single-speed on a mechanical timer)
- 4Prime, check for leaks, and set the run schedule
- 5Program speeds for filtration, cleaner, spa, and water features
If your old pump ran off a mechanical timer, the VS pump replaces it with its own onboard schedule or ties into your automation. That's part of the install, not an add-on; confirm it's in the quote.
Replace vs. Repair
Use the half-rule: if the repair costs more than half of a new pump and the pump is over eight years old, replace it.
- Repair if it's a capacitor, seal, or O-ring on a pump under eight years old
- Replace the motor if the wet end is in good shape and the pump is already variable-speed
- Replace the whole pump if it's a single-speed over eight years old, if the housing is cracked, or if you've already repaired it once this year
For what pump repairs cost and how to diagnose common problems, see the pool pump repair cost guide.
Browse Pool Repair Companies by City
Compare rated companies in some of the most-searched markets:
- Sarasota, FL · Naples, FL · Fort Myers, FL · Tampa, FL · Ocala, FL
- Lake Havasu City, AZ · Corpus Christi, TX · Fort Worth, TX · San Antonio, TX
- Bakersfield, CA · Fresno, CA · Oklahoma City, OK · Tulsa, OK
Or by state: Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Georgia, South Carolina.
Bottom Line
Plan on $700 to $1,800 installed for a variable-speed pump in 2026, size it to your pool rather than up, and let the electricity savings pay for the difference. Find pool repair companies near you and get two quotes with parts and labor separated.