ApplianceMath.ai| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| Drain pump repair cost | $223 – $303 total |
| Circulation pump repair cost | $325 – $450 total |
| Labor hours (drain pump) | 1.5 hrs |
| Labor hours (circulation pump) | 2.0 hrs |
| DIY viability | Moderate (drain), No (circulation) |
| Source | Angi 2026, RepairClinic 2026 |
Drain Pump vs. Circulation Pump — What Each Does
Drain pump: Removes dirty water from the tub at the end of each cycle. A failed drain pump leaves standing water in the bottom of the dishwasher after a cycle completes — the most common dishwasher pump failure.
Circulation pump/motor: Pressurizes and circulates water through the spray arms during the wash cycle. A failed circulation pump produces dishes that come out dirty — the dishwasher runs but water is not being pumped through the spray arms with sufficient pressure. More expensive and not DIY viable.
Diagnosing the Failure
| Symptom | Likely Failure | Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standing water after cycle | Drain pump | $223 – $303 |
| Dishes not cleaning, dishwasher runs | Circulation pump | $325 – $450 |
| Humming but no water movement | Circulation pump motor | $325 – $450 |
| Water not draining AND not cleaning | Both pumps or control board | $500+ |
| Leaking from bottom | Door seal or pump seal | $140 – $303 |
Drain Pump Repair — The Math
| Labor Rate | Part Cost | Labor (1.5 hrs) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/hr | $75 | $150 | $225 |
| $125/hr | $75 | $188 | $263 |
| $145/hr | $75 | $218 | $293 |
| $165/hr | $75 | $248 | $323 |
AM Score example — 5-year-old dishwasher, drain pump failure, $799 MSRP: Cost ratio: $263 ÷ $799 = 0.329. Age ratio: 5 ÷ 9.5 = 0.526. AM Score: (0.329 × 50) + (0.526 × 40) = 16.5 + 21.1 = 37.6 — Repair.
Circulation Pump Repair — The Math
| Labor Rate | Part Cost | Labor (2.0 hrs) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/hr | $135 | $200 | $335 |
| $125/hr | $135 | $250 | $385 |
| $145/hr | $135 | $290 | $425 |
| $165/hr | $135 | $330 | $465 |
AM Score example — 7-year-old dishwasher, circulation pump failure, $799 MSRP: AM Score = 53.6 — Repair with Caution. At year 8 the same repair produces AM Score 57.8 — approaching replace territory in high-cost markets.
The Inflection Point
The circulation pump repair crosses into replace territory when: the dishwasher is past year 8 in most markets; past year 7 in high-cost markets (San Francisco, New York, Seattle); or the dishwasher is a budget model with MSRP under $650 — a $385 repair on a $599 dishwasher is 64% of replacement cost at any age past year 5. The drain pump repair stays in repair territory through year 8 in most markets.
Key Takeaways
- Drain pump repair: $223 – $303 total — moderate DIY viable
- Circulation pump repair: $325 – $450 total — not DIY viable
- Standing water after cycle = drain pump failure
- Dishes not cleaning but dishwasher runs = circulation pump failure
- Drain pump repair is financially sound through year 8 in most markets
- Circulation pump repair crosses into replace territory past year 8 in most markets
- Always diagnose which pump has failed before ordering parts — symptoms overlap
- Sources: Angi 2026, RepairClinic 2026