Workers Compensation by State
State-specific workers compensation requirements, average rates, benefits, and cost-saving tips for all 50 U.S. states. Select your state below.
Alabama
Required: 5+ employees. Avg. rate ~$1.82/$100 payroll. Private market.
AKAlaska
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$2.84/$100. Highest rates nationally; hazardous industries.
AZArizona
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.52/$100. State fund (Pinnacle) + private market.
ARArkansas
Required: 3+ employees. Avg. rate ~$1.68/$100. Private market.
CACalifornia
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$2.45/$100. SCIF state fund + private market; complex system.
COColorado
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.68/$100. Pinnacol Assurance quasi-state fund.
CTConnecticut
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$2.12/$100. 75% net wage replacement; Second Injury Fund.
DEDelaware
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.78/$100. Private market; Industrial Accident Board.
FLFlorida
Required: 4+ employees (1+ construction). Avg. rate ~$1.95/$100. Construction rules critical.
GAGeorgia
Required: 3+ employees. Avg. rate ~$1.62/$100. Panel of physicians system.
HIHawaii
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$2.08/$100. TDI also required for non-work disabilities.
IDIdaho
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.58/$100. Idaho State Insurance Fund + private market.
ILIllinois
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$2.38/$100. High litigation; Chicago rates significantly above average.
INIndiana
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.48/$100. Efficient system; scheduled awards.
IAIowa
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.55/$100. 80% net wage replacement.
KSKansas
Required: 1+ (ag: 10+). Avg. rate ~$1.52/$100. Agricultural exemption for small farms.
KYKentucky
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.88/$100. Coal mining occupational disease provisions.
LALouisiana
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$2.08/$100. Offshore workers may fall under federal maritime law.
MEMaine
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.75/$100. 80% net wage replacement; fishing/logging high risk.
MDMaryland
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.82/$100. Chesapeake Employers' state fund + private market.
MAMassachusetts
Required: 1+ employee (incl. household 16+ hrs/wk). Avg. rate ~$2.05/$100.
MIMichigan
Required: 3+ employees or 1 full-time. Avg. rate ~$1.92/$100. 80% net wage replacement.
MNMinnesota
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.78/$100. Attorney fees paid by insurer, not worker.
MSMississippi
Required: 5+ employees. Avg. rate ~$1.72/$100. Small employers face direct liability if uninsured.
MOMissouri
Required: 5+ employees (1+ construction). Avg. rate ~$1.65/$100. Second Injury Fund.
MTMontana
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.98/$100. Montana State Fund + private market.
NENebraska
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.55/$100. Dedicated Workers' Compensation Court.
NVNevada
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.82/$100. Gaming/hospitality unique injury patterns.
NHNew Hampshire
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.62/$100. Efficient system; moderate costs.
NJNew Jersey
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$2.18/$100. TDI also required; high litigation in north NJ.
NMNew Mexico
Required: 3+ employees. Avg. rate ~$1.88/$100. Oil & gas oilfield high-risk operations.
NYNew York
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$2.88/$100. NYSIF state fund; DBL also required; NYC rates highest.
NCNorth Carolina
Required: 3+ employees (2+ construction). Avg. rate ~$1.58/$100. Efficient Industrial Commission.
NDNorth Dakota
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.65/$100. MONOPOLISTIC — WSI only, no private market.
OHOhio
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.72/$100. MONOPOLISTIC — BWC only; group rating programs.
OKOklahoma
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.78/$100. 2013 reform created administrative courts.
OROregon
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.88/$100. SAIF Corporation state fund + private market.
PAPennsylvania
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$2.02/$100. SWIF state fund; 90-day employer-directed care.
RIRhode Island
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$2.15/$100. TDI also required; specialized WC Court.
SCSouth Carolina
Required: 4+ employees. Avg. rate ~$1.62/$100. Growing manufacturing sector.
SDSouth Dakota
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.48/$100. Among lowest rates nationally.
TNTennessee
Required: 5+ employees (1+ construction). Avg. rate ~$1.68/$100. 2014 reform created WC courts.
TXTexas
OPTIONAL — only state where WC is not mandatory. Non-subscribers lose liability defenses.
UTUtah
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.52/$100. WCF Utah state fund + private market.
VTVermont
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.78/$100. Small market; limited insurer competition.
VAVirginia
Required: 3+ employees (2+ construction). Avg. rate ~$1.62/$100. Federal contractor considerations.
WAWashington
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.95/$100. MONOPOLISTIC — L&I only; retro programs available.
WVWest Virginia
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$2.12/$100. Privatized 2005; coal mining provisions.
WIWisconsin
Required: 3+ employees or $500+ payroll. Avg. rate ~$1.72/$100. Efficient administration.
WYWyoming
Required: 1+ employee. Avg. rate ~$1.78/$100. MONOPOLISTIC — state WC program only.