Estimate your annual workers compensation insurance premium from payroll, classification rate, and experience modification rate (EMR).
Quick Reference: Common Class Codes
Rates are illustrative averages. Actual rates vary by state and insurer.
From your policy declarations or class code table
1.0 = average · <1.0 = discount · >1.0 = surcharge
Enter your total annual payroll — the sum of all wages paid to employees covered by workers comp.
Select a job classification code from the quick reference list, or manually enter the rate per $100 of payroll for your industry.
Enter your Experience Modification Rate (EMR). A rate of 1.0 is average. Below 1.0 means fewer claims (lower cost); above 1.0 means higher risk history.
Optionally enter the number of employees to see the cost per employee breakdown.
Click Calculate to see your estimated base premium and modified premium after EMR adjustment.
Workers compensation premiums are calculated per $100 of payroll using class-code-specific rates that reflect the injury risk of different occupations. The Experience Modification Rate (EMR) adjusts the premium based on a company's actual claims history versus expected claims for its industry. An EMR below 1.0 reduces the premium; above 1.0 increases it.
Annual payroll of $500,000, clerical rate $0.30/$100, EMR 0.85. Base premium: $1,500. Modified: $1,500 × 0.85 = $1,275. Cost per employee (10 staff): $127.50/employee.
Annual payroll of $2M, carpentry rate $8.50/$100, EMR 1.2 (above average claims). Base premium: $170,000. Modified: $204,000. Cost per employee (20 workers): $10,200/employee.
Annual payroll of $800,000, retail rate $1.20/$100, EMR 0.95. Base premium: $9,600. Modified: $9,120. 15 employees = $608/employee/year.
Find answers to the most common questions about workers comp calculator.
