Workers’ Comp Rate Changes by State for 2027

By StartBusinessByStatePublisher: Robert SmithResearch process

Data as of October 26, 2026. Figures come from state insurance departments, rating bureaus and state funds.

For 2027, most states have filed or approved further cuts to workers’ compensation costs. A handful are going the other way. California approved a 6.6% increase in September 2026, Oregon’s rates go up 2.1% on January 1, Washington’s state fund has proposed 4.9%, and Nevada’s rating bureau filed for 8.6%.

Key findings

  • Increases: CA +6.6% (approved, Sep 1, 2026), NV +8.6% (proposed, Mar 1, 2027), WA +4.9% (proposed, Jan 1, 2027), OR +2.1% (Jan 1, 2027). Illinois advisory rates are up 0.3%, but its loss costs are down 0.5%.
  • Largest cuts: New York −21.9% (Oct 1, 2026), North Carolina −10.6% (Apr 1, 2027), Arkansas −9.8% (Jul 1, 2026), Florida −7.4% filed (Jan 1, 2027), Alaska −7.3% proposed.
  • Long streaks: New Hampshire’s approved 2027 cut is its 15th in a row. Tennessee’s 2026 cut was its 13th, and Delaware’s is its 10th.
  • Not yet known: Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Rhode Island and South Dakota haven’t published 2027 filings yet. Most proposed figures still need regulator approval.

Loss costs vs. what you actually pay

In most states, a rating bureau (usually NCCI) files loss costs. A loss cost is the expected cost of claims per $100 of payroll for each job classification. Each insurer then multiplies it by its own loss cost multiplier to cover overhead and profit. A 5% cut in loss costs means the starting point drops, but your premium also depends on your insurer, your class code, your payroll and your claims history (your experience mod). Assigned-risk rates apply to employers who can’t find coverage elsewhere, and they can move in a different direction. “Proposed” means a bureau filed it and the regulator hasn’t ruled yet.

Four states run the insurance themselves

North Dakota, Ohio, Washington and Wyoming are “monopolistic” states. Employers there must buy workers’ comp from the state fund, not a private insurer, and the fund sets rates directly. Washington’s proposed 4.9% increase works out to about $1.44 a week per full-time employee, according to L&I.

Rates are only half the picture, since each state also sets who has to carry coverage; our guide to workers’ comp requirements by state lists the employee thresholds and exemptions.

If you run a crew outdoors or in customers’ homes, our guides to landscaping business insurance and cleaning business insurance explain how workers’ comp fits with the other policies most owners carry.

Why January 1 matters

Most new figures in the table take effect January 1, 2027, but they apply to policies that start or renew on or after that date. If your policy renews in, say, June, you’ll keep your current rate until then.

Worked example (a floor, not a quote)

Texas publishes loss costs by class. For roofing (class 5551) the Texas loss cost is $1.946 per $100 of payroll. On $250,000 of roofing payroll: $250,000 ÷ 100 × 1.946 = $4,865. That’s the claims-cost floor before any insurer expenses. TDI’s own illustration uses a 1.50 multiplier, which raises it to $2.919 per $100, or about $7,298. Experience mods, discounts and minimum premiums will change your actual figure.

State-by-state table

“Latest change” is the overall average change for the most recent filing or decision. Your class can move more or less.

StateLatest changeEffectiveStatusRating bureau / fundStreak
Alabama-2.2% (assigned risk +1.6%)Mar 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Alaska-7.3%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Arizona-0.2% (rates)Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Arkansas-9.8% (latest in effect)Jul 1, 20262027 filing not yet publicNCCI—
California+6.6% (avg. $1.65 per $100 payroll vs. $1.55)Sep 1, 2026ApprovedWCIRB / Commissioner—
Colorado-3.9%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCICuts each year 2023-2026 (-6.1, -3.4, -4.3, -6.9)
Connecticut-4.9% (assigned risk -5.8%)Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Delaware-3.99% voluntary loss costs; -4.11% residual marketDec 1, 2026ApprovedDCRB10th straight year of decreases (Dept. of Insurance)
District of Columbia-4.3%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Florida-7.4% (NCCI filing); OIR notice describes 6.9% premium-level decreaseJan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
GeorgiaNot yet filed—2027 filing not yet publicNCCI—
Hawaii-2.5%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Idaho-0.1%Jan 1, 2027ApprovedNCCIDown in 11 of past 12 years, 10 in a row (DOI)
Illinois+0.3% advisory rates (loss costs -0.5%; assigned risk +3.1%)Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Indiana-5.6% loss costs (-4.7% rates)Jan 1, 2027ApprovedICRB—
Iowa-2.1% (rates)Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Kansas-1.9%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Kentucky0.0%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
LouisianaNot yet filed—2027 filing not yet publicNCCI—
Maine-4.8% (latest in effect)Apr 1, 20262027 filing not yet publicNCCI—
Maryland-5.4%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
MassachusettsNo change (2025 filing disapproved)Rates in effect since Jul 1, 2024Unchanged; next filing expected for Jul 1, 2027WCRIBMA—
Michigan0.0%Jan 1, 2027Filed (advisory)CAOM—
Minnesota-4.5%Jan 1, 2027ApprovedMWCIA—
MississippiNot yet filed—2027 filing not yet publicNCCI—
Missouri0.0%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
MontanaNot yet filed—2027 filing not yet publicNCCI—
NebraskaNot yet filed—2027 filing not yet publicNCCI—
Nevada+8.6% (assigned risk +8.1%)Mar 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
New Hampshire-2.9% (assigned risk -3.4%)Jan 1, 2027ApprovedNCCI15th straight annual decrease (NHID)
New JerseyFiled; figure not verified from official sourceJan 1, 2027Filed, awaiting decisionNJCRIB—
New Mexico-0.5%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
New York-21.9%Oct 1, 2026ApprovedNYCIRB / DFS—
North Carolina-10.6%Apr 1, 2027ApprovedNCRB—
North DakotaAverage change not published in sources foundJul 1, 2026Set by state fundWSI (monopolistic state fund)—
OhioOfficial figure not confirmedJul 1, 2026Set by state fundBWC (monopolistic state fund)—
Oklahoma-4.8%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Oregon+2.1% (avg. cost 89 to 92 cents per $100)Jan 1, 2027ApprovedNCCI / DCBSFollows five cuts 2022-2026
Pennsylvania-1.22% (latest in effect)Apr 1, 20262027 filing not yet publicPCRB—
Rhode IslandNot yet filed—2027 filing not yet publicNCCI—
South Carolina-1.2%Apr 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
South DakotaNot yet filed—2027 filing not yet publicNCCI—
Tennessee-4.3%Mar 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI2026 cut (-2.0%) was 13th straight decline (TDCI)
Texas-3.8%Jul 1, 2026ApprovedNCCI / TDI—
Utah-5.6%Feb 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Vermont-5.5%Apr 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Virginia-5.6%Apr 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Washington+4.9% (about $1.44/week per full-time worker)Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)L&I (monopolistic state fund)—
West Virginia-1.6%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)NCCI—
Wisconsin-1.97%Oct 1, 2026ApprovedWCRB—
Wyoming-2.0%Jan 1, 2027Proposed (pending regulator)DWS (monopolistic state fund)—

Getting a quote

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Renewal coming up? Compare workers’ compensation quotes for your small business online.

  • Workers’ compensation for covered employee injuries.
  • Options to add general liability and other business coverage.
  • Proof of insurance after policy issuance.

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Methodology

We used each state’s latest official filing or decision as of October 26, 2026. Streaks only appear where an official source states them. Where we couldn’t confirm a figure from an official source (New Jersey, Ohio, North Dakota), we left it out.

Sources

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