Workers' Compensation Rates in California (2026)

Last verified: 2026-06-30 · Reviewed against NCCI and state rating-bureau filings — how we verify

State Overview

WC Requirement

Mandatory

Minimum Employees

1

Effective Date

2025-09-01

California has its own independent rating bureau (WCIRB) and is one of the most expensive states for workers' compensation insurance.

Average Rate (All Class Codes)

$7.17

per $100 of payroll

Least Expensive Class Codes

  • 8815Bank - All Employees$0.20
  • 8865Court Reporter$0.20
  • 8801Credit Union - All Employees$0.20

Most Expensive Class Codes

Understanding California Workers' Comp Rates

California's approved advisory pure premium rate averages $1.52 per $100 of payroll under the September 1, 2025 filing — 8.7% above the September 1, 2024 level. That statewide average is a benchmark, not a quote: what you actually pay depends on your class code, your insurer's loss-cost multiplier, and your experience modification factor, so two businesses in the same code can land far apart. For multi-state benchmarking, compare California's advisory pure premium structure with Pennsylvania workers' compensation rates and Ohio workers' compensation rates, because both use different rate-setting systems from California.

California sits outside the NCCI system — the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) is the state's licensed independent rating organization. Unlike NCCI states, WCIRB publishes advisory pure premium rates rather than mandatory minimums; each insurer files its own rates, then layers underwriting factors, schedule rating credits and debits, and an experience modification factor on top. That structure is why two California carriers can quote the same class code at very different prices.

On April 17, 2026, the WCIRB Governing Committee authorized the Bureau to submit a September 1, 2026 pure premium rate filing to the California Insurance Commissioner proposing rates that average 10.4% above the September 1, 2025 approved levels. WCIRB Executive VP and Chief Actuary Tony Milano attributed the increase primarily to higher frequency of cumulative trauma claims and rising medical costs and allocated loss adjustment expenses. The CDI will hold a public hearing before the Insurance Commissioner approves, modifies, or rejects the filing — and recent history shows the Commissioner can cut the request: for September 1, 2025, Commissioner Ricardo Lara approved an 8.7% average increase rather than the 11.2% the WCIRB originally proposed.

How California Class Codes Differ from NCCI

California uses its own classification system — the WCIRB Standard Classification System — with roughly 500 active class codes that overlap only partially with NCCI codes used in the rest of the country. Some California codes share a number with an NCCI code but have different phraseology, different inclusions, or different exclusions; class code 7610 broadcasting is a practical example whose state scope must be checked before payroll is assigned. California also enforces stricter dual-wage classification rules in construction (carpentry, roofing, masonry, painting and others use a low-wage and high-wage version of the same code) and audits payroll more aggressively for overtime exclusions and officer/owner caps.

If you've operated in another state and are extending to California, do not assume your prior class code carries over — the WCIRB classification can be different even when the work is the same. A service contractor that recognizes an NCCI code such as 9014 Janitorial Services by Contractor, a standard-exception role like NCCI code 8742, a structural-concrete classification like workers comp code 5213, or a retail classification like 8010 Hardware Store — Wholesale or Retail should still confirm the California WCIRB assignment before quoting payroll. Misclassification is one of the most common drivers of premium disputes at audit.

California Construction Dual-Wage Thresholds (2026)

California is one of the few states that splits 16 construction classifications into a low-wage and a high-wage version of the same trade, divided by an hourly-wage threshold. Workers paid at or above the threshold map to the cheaper high-wage code (statistically lower claim frequency and severity); workers below it fall into the higher-rated low-wage code. Getting the wage split wrong at audit is a frequent and expensive surprise — a single low-wage worker can pull an entire crew's payroll into the higher-rated code.

Effective September 1, 2026, the WCIRB approved raising the hourly threshold on 13 of the 16 dual-wage classifications by $2 to $5 per hour (pending the Insurance Commissioner's approval). Carpentry (codes 5403 / 5432) rises from $41 to $46 per hour, and electrical wiring (5190 workers comp code / 5140) rises from $36 to $40 per hour. If you run a California construction crew, re-check every worker's hourly rate against the new threshold before your September 1, 2026 renewal — a raise that does not clear the higher bar can quietly reclassify a worker into the costlier code.

How to find a California workers' comp class code from a job description

There is no California workers' comp class code for a job title. California does not take NCCI's classification decisions — the WCIRB is the rating organization that classifies California employers, and what gets classified is the employer's business — not the separate employments, occupations or operations inside it. "Machinist", "CNC operator", "general construction labor" and "data entry" are therefore work that sits inside whichever classification describes the business, not values you can look up on their own.

WCIRB publishes California's classifications in the California Workers' Compensation Uniform Statistical Reporting Plan—1995, Part 3 — Standard Classification System (the 1995 plan as amended; amendments to Part 3 apply to policies incepting on or after their approved effective date). To confirm the classification for a specific business, use WCIRB Classification Search — that is the filed authority for California, and a code quoted from another state's manual is not.

California does not use NCCI class codes. The WCIRB publishes the state's standard classifications in Part 3 of the Uniform Statistical Reporting Plan—1995, so a California classification has no direct NCCI counterpart and a code carried over from another state means nothing on a California policy.

WCIRB Classification Search (official California lookup)

Last verified: 2026-08-06 · Sources

All Class Codes & Rates in California

CodePhraseologyHazard GroupRate per $100
8823Accountant - CPAA$0.24
8862Advertising AgencyA$0.30
7403Aircraft Operation - NOCE$12.49
7605Alarm Installation or RepairD$6.41
5047Aluminum InstallationE$10.46
8836Ambulance Service - All EmployeesC$7.43
7398Ambulette/Medical TransportD$7.43
9067Amusement Park - Mechanical RidesD$7.09
9016Amusement Park or Exhibition Operation & DriversD$5.54
7520Amusement Ride OperationD$7.76
8831Animal Hospital - VeterinaryC$3.04
8861Architect or Engineer - ConsultingB$0.54
5473Asphalt PavingF$13.84
9625Assisted Living FacilityD$6.08
9182Athletic Teams - AmateurE$9.79
9180Athletic Teams - ProfessionalF$16.88
8820Attorney - All Employees & ClericalA$0.27
8803Auditing, Accounting or Management ConsultingA$0.27
8046Auto Accessories StoreB$1.69
5188Automatic Sprinkler InstallationE$10.60
8393Automobile Body Repair & DriversC$9.79
8748Automobile Dealer - All EmployeesD$5.06
3821Automobile Recycling & DriversD$9.18
8380Automobile Service or Repair Center & DriversD$6.08
7225Automobile Towing & DriversE$11.48
7422Aviation - Ground CrewE$9.79
2003BakeryC$4.73
3724Bakery - ManufacturingD$5.74
8815Bank - All EmployeesA$0.20
8855Banks and Trust Companies - All EmployeesA$0.23
9586Barber Shop or Beauty ParlorC$2.03
7337Boat Building - MetalF$13.16
7335Boat Building - WoodE$10.13
3027Boiler ManufacturingE$10.46
8072Book StoreA$0.68
2157BottlingC$4.39
9071Bowling Alley - All EmployeesC$3.31
9070Bowling Center - AllC$3.38
2065BreweryC$4.39
9650Building InspectionC$3.04
8232Building Material Yard & DriversE$7.76
8058Building Materials DealerD$7.09
9015Building Operation - All Other EmployeesC$4.19
9012Building or Property Management - Property Managers and Leasing Agents & Clerical, SalespersonsB$1.01
8385Bus Co - Garage EmployeesE$10.94
7382Bus Company - All EmployeesD$10.13
8850Bus/Taxi - DispatchingA$0.61
5148Cabinet Manufacturing & InstallD$8.10
2812Cabinet/Wood Products ManufacturingD$8.44
9055Camps - Day/OvernightC$4.39
2095Candy ManufacturingC$4.05
2111CanneryD$7.09
9602Car WashC$3.38
5645Carpentry - Detached One or Two Family DwellingsF$16.88
5432Carpentry - Detached One/Two FamilyE$12.49
5436Carpentry - Finish DetachedD$8.78
5404Carpentry - Install CabinetsD$9.45
5437Carpentry - Installation of Cabinet Work or Interior TrimF$19.24
2802Carpentry - Shop OnlyD$7.43
5403Carpentry NOCG$15.19
9536Carpet CleaningC$4.05
9519Catering NOCC$4.73
5020Ceiling InstallationE$11.48
9610Cemetery - AllD$4.73
5348Ceramic Tile, Indoor Stone, Marble, or Mosaic WorkE$7.43
2131Cereal ManufacturingC$3.92
7405Charter AircraftF$17.21
8826Chiropractic OfficeB$1.22
8812Clerical - Drafting EmployeesA$0.30
8810Clerical Office EmployeesA$0.34
8871Clerical Telecommuter EmployeesB$0.41
2501Clothing ManufacturingB$3.04
8008Clothing or Wearing Apparel Store - RetailC$2.50
9061Club NOC - All EmployeesC$3.78
8844Collection AgencyA$0.30
8868College or University - Professional EmployeesB$0.61
7380Commercial DriversD$11.48
8859Computer Programming or Software DevelopmentA$0.24
5201Concrete Block ManufacturingE$10.80
5213Concrete Construction NOCF$13.16
5214Concrete NOC - PouredF$13.84
5221Concrete or Cement Work - Floors, Driveways, YardsF$12.02
5070Concrete Products ManufacturingE$8.78
5215Concrete WorkF$15.53
5222Concrete/Cement - FloorsE$11.14
8227Construction Material - UsedD$7.76
8019Convenience StoreC$3.04
7715Corrections OfficersG$12.49
9558Courier/Document DeliveryC$4.39
7719Court EmployeesB$1.69
8865Court ReporterA$0.20
2070Creamery/Dairy ProductsC$5.06
8801Credit Union - All EmployeesA$0.20
8805Credit Union/SavingsA$0.20
9059Day SpaB$2.03
8854Daycare CenterC$3.38
8822Dental LaboratoryB$1.01
8824Dental Office - All EmployeesB$0.74
8039Department Store - RetailC$2.70
2102DistilleryC$4.19
5108Door/Window InstallationD$8.44
5152Drilling NOCF$18.23
8047Drug StoreB$1.28
2688Dry CleaningC$4.39
8866Election CampaignB$1.15
7539Electric Light/Power CompaniesF$14.18
3082Electrical Apparatus ManufacturingD$6.08
5140Electrical Installation - InteriorD$7.09
5193Electrical Wiring - AlarmD$7.43
5190Electrical Wiring - Within BuildingsE$8.44
9653Elevator InspectionC$2.70
5160Elevator InstallationF$14.18
5162Elevator Service/MaintenanceE$11.14
8858Employment AgencyA$0.27
7711EMT/ParamedicsF$10.13
6217Excavation NOCF$14.58
8809Executive Officers NOC - Not Foremen, Workers or SalespersonsA$0.27
0035Farm - DairyE$11.81
0005Farm - Field CropsE$12.83
0016Farm - LivestockF$13.84
0050Farm - Orchard or GroveE$10.53
8116Farm Machinery Dealer - All Operations & DriversC$4.39
8841Financial AdvisorA$0.23
7710Firefighters and DriversD$8.78
2161Fish ProcessingE$8.78
8032Florist - RetailB$1.55
2130Flour MillingD$5.74
7350Freight HandlingE$9.79
2143Fruit ProcessingD$5.40
9620Funeral Directors - All EmployeesC$2.36
2883Furniture ManufacturingD$7.43
8293Furniture Moving & Storage, DriversE$6.41
5146Furniture or Fixtures Installation - Portable NOCD$9.11
8044Furniture Store - Wholesale or Retail & DriversC$3.71
7590Garbage/Ash CollectionF$13.16
2913Glass ManufacturingE$10.13
2915Glass MerchantD$7.09
5462GlazierE$11.48
9056Golf ClubC$3.38
8811Government ClericalA$0.30
8304Grain ElevatorE$9.45
2041Grain MillingD$6.08
8006Grocery Store - RetailC$3.38
9585Hair SalonB$1.69
8010Hardware Store - Wholesale or RetailC$3.51
5137Heating Equipment InstallationD$7.76
5185Heating System InstallationD$7.43
5537Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and RefrigerationE$7.76
8851Home for Aged - AllD$7.09
8835Home Health Care ServicesC$5.60
9040Hospital - All Other EmployeesB$7.43
8833Hospital - Professional EmployeesC$3.85
9058Hotel - Restaurant EmployeesC$4.73
9052Hotel NOC - All Other Employees & DriversC$4.93
9529House CleaningC$4.39
9033Housing AuthorityB$2.03
2039Ice Cream ManufacturingC$4.73
8215Ice DealerC$4.05
8203Ice ManufacturingD$6.08
5479Insulation WorkE$10.13
8845Investigator/DetectiveC$3.04
8840Investment CompanyA$0.20
5038Iron Doors/Gates InstallationF$19.58
5057Iron or Steel Erection - NOCG$23.29
5102Iron or Steel Erection - StructuralG$24.98
5069Iron/Steel - NOCG$28.35
5059Iron/Steel - OrnamentalF$16.54
5040Iron/Steel Erection - FrameG$33.08
8106Iron/Steel MerchantD$7.43
6229Irrigation Works - All OperationsE$8.78
9014Janitorial Services - By ContractorC$5.74
8013Jewelry StoreB$1.15
8263Junk DealerD$7.43
0917Landscape Gardening - NOCD$7.09
5443LathingE$11.81
2660Laundry NOCC$4.73
2586Leather Goods ManufacturingC$4.05
9034Library - All EmployeesA$0.88
7716LifeguardsD$5.06
7317Longshore WorkersG$25.65
8061Lumber DealerD$7.76
3632Machine Shop NOCD$6.41
3030Machinery ManufacturingD$7.43
3685Machinist NOCD$6.89
7327Marine TransportationF$16.88
5029Masonry - DecorativeE$12.83
5027Masonry - FireproofF$14.85
5028Masonry - StoneF$17.21
5022Masonry NOCF$14.18
8031Meat Market - RetailC$3.71
2001Meat PackingF$11.81
8033Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - RetailC$4.39
8021Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - WholesaleC$3.38
8838Medical LabB$1.01
7360Messenger ServiceC$4.73
3581Metal Stamping - NOCE$8.30
9410Municipal, Township, County or State Employees - NOCC$4.73
9587Nail SalonB$1.35
8860Newspaper - DeliveryC$5.06
8869Newspaper or Magazine Publishing - All EmployeesB$0.47
8807Newspaper PublishingB$1.15
0042Nursery EmployeesE$8.44
9046Nursing - Home/VisitingD$7.76
9049Nursing Home - AllD$7.43
8829Nursing Home - All EmployeesC$7.09
5191Office Machine Installation, Inspection, Adjustment, or RepairE$5.74
8825Optometry OfficeA$0.54
8742Outside Sales PersonnelB$0.74
8055Packaging - Contract - Retail Size PackagesC$3.38
8037Paint StoreB$1.35
5474Painting NOC & Shop Operations, DriversE$10.13
7721Park RangersD$4.73
8821Patent/Copyright AttorneyA$0.27
4361Pest Control ServicesD$6.08
9549Pet GroomingC$2.36
8099Pet StoreB$1.55
8846Pharmaceutical SalesB$0.74
8839Pharmacy - RetailB$1.22
7600Phone/Telegraph InstallationE$9.45
8832Physician & ClericalB$0.61
2110Pickle ManufacturingC$3.85
7313Pier/Wharf OperationF$15.19
5480Plastering NOCE$9.79
8111Plumber - CommercialE$8.10
5183Plumbing NOCE$9.11
7723Police Officers - MountedF$14.51
7720Police Officers and DriversD$7.76
8816Post OfficeC$3.71
2002Poultry ProcessingF$11.48
3076Printing - Offset or DigitalD$4.19
8843Psychiatric HospitalD$6.08
8015Quick PrintingB$1.35
8857Radio Station - ClericalA$0.24
7610Radio/TV BroadcastingB$1.69
7855Railroad OperationE$10.13
8856Real Estate Agency - All EmployeesC$1.62
9077Recreation CenterC$3.38
3060Refrigerator ManufacturingD$6.41
8849Research Lab - AnalyticalB$1.49
9079Restaurant - Fast FoodC$4.39
9083Restaurant - Fast Food - Including DeliveryD$5.54
9082Restaurant NOCD$5.06
8045Retail Store - Cannabis/DispensaryC$2.90
8017Retail Store NOCC$2.84
5551Roofing - All EmployeesG$33.75
5606Roofing ContractorG$30.38
7724Sanitation WorkersF$11.48
9101School - All EmployeesB$2.50
9008Schools - VocationalC$3.71
9060Senior CenterB$2.36
5538Sheet Metal Work - HVAC DuctworkE$9.18
8090Shoe StoreA$0.74
5119Siding InstallationE$10.13
9554Sign Installation, Maintenance, Repair, Removal or Replacement NOC - Away From Shop & DriversF$11.14
9072Skating RinkC$3.71
8864Social Services OrganizationB$1.69
2105Soft Drink ManufacturingC$3.71
8078Sporting Goods StoreB$1.69
8279Stable/Riding AcademyD$7.09
7309StevedoringG$24.98
5506Street/Road ConstructionF$15.86
5507Street/Road Construction - ClearingF$13.50
8804Substance Use Disorder Recovery HomesC$6.08
2021Sugar ManufacturingD$5.74
5223Swimming Pool ConstructionF$12.49
9064Swimming Pool OperationC$3.71
2623TanningD$7.43
7370Taxi/RideshareD$9.11
7390Taxicab Company - All EmployeesD$10.53
8814Telephone Company - ClericalA$0.24
5037Tile RoofingG$29.70
2121Tobacco ManufacturingC$3.38
7229Trucking - HazmatG$19.91
7228Trucking - Local Hauling OnlyD$11.81
7219Trucking - Long HaulE$15.53
7232Trucking - Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery - Under Contract With USPSF$14.18
7231Trucking - Mail, Parcel, or Package DeliveryD$12.29
7202Trucking - NOCE$12.83
7227Trucking - RefrigeratedE$13.84
8847Trust CompanyA$0.20
9522UpholsteryC$3.71
9068Veterans HomeD$5.74
8842Veterinary Office - All EmployeesC$1.49
5180Water Main ConstructionF$16.20
3365Welding or Cutting NOCE$11.14
8018Wholesale Store NOCC$3.24
5196Wiring - Fire Detection SystemsD$6.41
2841Woodworking NOCD$7.76
2286Wool ProcessingC$4.25
8802Writer/AuthorA$0.27
2220Yarn/Thread ManufacturingC$4.05
9063YMCA, YWCA, or Health Club - All EmployeesC$3.85

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