Workers' Compensation Rates in Kentucky (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-26 · Reviewed against NCCI and state rating-bureau filings — how we verify
State Overview
WC Requirement
Mandatory
Minimum Employees
1
Effective Date
2026-01-01
Kentucky requires all employers to carry workers' comp. The state has a competitive insurance market with rates near the national average.
Average Rate (All Class Codes)
$5.29
per $100 of payroll
Least Expensive Class Codes
- 8815 — Bank - All Employees$0.15
- 8865 — Court Reporter$0.15
- 8801 — Credit Union - All Employees$0.15
Most Expensive Class Codes
- 5551 — Roofing - All Employees$25.00
- 5040 — Iron/Steel Erection - Frame$24.50
- 5606 — Roofing Contractor$22.50
Understanding Kentucky Workers' Comp Rates
Kentucky is an NCCI state with a competitive insurance market and rates near the national average. On October 16, 2024, the Kentucky Department of Insurance announced that NCCI's annual voluntary-market loss-cost filing lowered average loss costs 8.4%, effective January 1, 2025 — the 19th consecutive year Kentucky workers' compensation loss costs have declined. NCCI is the licensed rating and statistical organization for Kentucky: it collects Kentucky payroll, premium, and injury data and files advisory loss costs with the Kentucky Department of Insurance for the voluntary market. Each insurer then applies its own loss-cost multiplier (LCM), so the NCCI loss cost is a starting point, not a fixed price. The Kentucky Department of Workers' Claims, part of the Education and Labor Cabinet, administers the system itself — it oversees coverage compliance and resolves contested claims through an administrative process rather than the regular courts, under KRS Chapter 342.
Because Kentucky is an advisory-loss-cost state, price competition happens at the multiplier. Your premium is the class-code loss cost × LCM × experience modification factor × payroll/100, plus or minus schedule rating credits or debits. Two Kentucky carriers can quote the same class code at different prices because their LCMs differ, so comparing the multiplier — not just the headline statewide loss-cost change — is what moves a Kentucky small-business premium.
How Kentucky Class Codes and Rates Are Set
Kentucky uses the standard NCCI Scopes Manual classification system — the same national four-digit codes that apply in most states (8810 Clerical Office Employees, 8742 Outside Sales, 9082 Restaurant NOC, 5183 Plumbing NOC, 5403 Carpentry NOC, 5645 detached dwelling carpentry, and roughly 600 others). The scope language is national; the loss-cost dollar attached to each code is Kentucky-specific and reflects Kentucky claim experience. NCCI files the advisory loss costs and the Kentucky Department of Insurance reviews them before insurers apply their multipliers.
Your premium is the class-code loss cost × LCM × experience modification × payroll/100, plus or minus schedule rating. Because Kentucky sits near the national-average cost level, neither unusually high nor unusually low, the LCM you are quoted and your experience modification factor do most of the work in determining your final price — comparing carriers' multipliers is the practical lever for a Kentucky employer.
Who Must Carry Coverage in Kentucky
Kentucky requires workers' compensation coverage for essentially every employer with one or more employees, full-time, part-time, or seasonal, under KRS Chapter 342. There is no small-business head-count exemption — a restaurant with one dishwasher, a contractor with one laborer, and a shop with one cashier all need coverage. A narrow set of workers fall outside the Act, such as certain agricultural labor and some domestic workers, but the default rule is the one-employee threshold.
Sole proprietors and partners are not automatically covered on themselves and may elect inclusion if they want their own benefits. Corporate officers and LLC members are generally treated as employees and counted toward coverage, though Kentucky permits certain owners and officers to exclude themselves. Failing to carry required coverage is costly: Kentucky can assess a fine of $100 to $1,000 per employee, with each employee and each day of violation treated as a separate offense, and the Department of Workers' Claims can pursue stop-work and other enforcement measures.
Sources
- Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet — Department of Workers' Claims (coverage requirement under KRS Chapter 342, administrative claim process) (retrieved 2026-06-02)
- Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet — Workers' Compensation Security & Compliance (coverage enforcement and penalties) (retrieved 2026-06-02)
- Kentucky Department of Insurance — 19th consecutive decrease in workers' compensation loss costs announced Oct 16, 2024 (8.4% average decrease, effective Jan 1, 2025) (retrieved 2026-07-26)
- NCCI — Summary of the Proposed Kentucky Workers Compensation Loss Cost Filing (NCCI advisory loss costs for the voluntary market) (retrieved 2026-06-02)
All Class Codes & Rates in Kentucky
| Code | Phraseology | Hazard Group | Rate per $100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8823 | Accountant - CPA | A | $0.18 |
| 8862 | Advertising Agency | A | $0.22 |
| 7403 | Aircraft Operation - NOC | E | $9.25 |
| 7605 | Alarm Installation or Repair | D | $4.75 |
| 5047 | Aluminum Installation | E | $7.75 |
| 8836 | Ambulance Service - All Employees | C | $5.50 |
| 7398 | Ambulette/Medical Transport | D | $5.50 |
| 9067 | Amusement Park - Mechanical Rides | D | $5.25 |
| 9016 | Amusement Park or Exhibition Operation & Drivers | D | $4.10 |
| 7520 | Amusement Ride Operation | D | $5.75 |
| 8831 | Animal Hospital - Veterinary | C | $2.25 |
| 8861 | Architect or Engineer - Consulting | B | $0.40 |
| 5473 | Asphalt Paving | F | $10.25 |
| 9625 | Assisted Living Facility | D | $4.50 |
| 9182 | Athletic Teams - Amateur | E | $7.25 |
| 9180 | Athletic Teams - Professional | F | $12.50 |
| 8820 | Attorney - All Employees & Clerical | A | $0.20 |
| 8803 | Auditing, Accounting or Management Consulting | A | $0.20 |
| 8046 | Auto Accessories Store | B | $1.25 |
| 5188 | Automatic Sprinkler Installation | E | $7.85 |
| 8393 | Automobile Body Repair & Drivers | C | $7.25 |
| 8748 | Automobile Dealer - All Employees | D | $3.75 |
| 3821 | Automobile Recycling & Drivers | D | $6.80 |
| 8380 | Automobile Service or Repair Center & Drivers | D | $4.50 |
| 7225 | Automobile Towing & Drivers | E | $8.50 |
| 7422 | Aviation - Ground Crew | E | $7.25 |
| 2003 | Bakery | C | $3.50 |
| 3724 | Bakery - Manufacturing | D | $4.25 |
| 8815 | Bank - All Employees | A | $0.15 |
| 8855 | Banks and Trust Companies - All Employees | A | $0.17 |
| 9586 | Barber Shop or Beauty Parlor | C | $1.50 |
| 7337 | Boat Building - Metal | F | $9.75 |
| 7335 | Boat Building - Wood | E | $7.50 |
| 3027 | Boiler Manufacturing | E | $7.75 |
| 8072 | Book Store | A | $0.50 |
| 2157 | Bottling | C | $3.25 |
| 9071 | Bowling Alley - All Employees | C | $2.45 |
| 9070 | Bowling Center - All | C | $2.50 |
| 2065 | Brewery | C | $3.25 |
| 9650 | Building Inspection | C | $2.25 |
| 8232 | Building Material Yard & Drivers | E | $5.75 |
| 8058 | Building Materials Dealer | D | $5.25 |
| 9015 | Building Operation - All Other Employees | C | $3.10 |
| 9012 | Building or Property Management - Property Managers and Leasing Agents & Clerical, Salespersons | B | $0.75 |
| 8385 | Bus Co - Garage Employees | E | $8.10 |
| 7382 | Bus Company - All Employees | D | $7.50 |
| 8850 | Bus/Taxi - Dispatching | A | $0.45 |
| 5148 | Cabinet Manufacturing & Install | D | $6.00 |
| 2812 | Cabinet/Wood Products Manufacturing | D | $6.25 |
| 9055 | Camps - Day/Overnight | C | $3.25 |
| 2095 | Candy Manufacturing | C | $3.00 |
| 2111 | Cannery | D | $5.25 |
| 9602 | Car Wash | C | $2.50 |
| 5645 | Carpentry - Detached One or Two Family Dwellings | F | $12.50 |
| 5432 | Carpentry - Detached One/Two Family | E | $9.25 |
| 5436 | Carpentry - Finish Detached | D | $6.50 |
| 5404 | Carpentry - Install Cabinets | D | $7.00 |
| 5437 | Carpentry - Installation of Cabinet Work or Interior Trim | F | $14.25 |
| 2802 | Carpentry - Shop Only | D | $5.50 |
| 5403 | Carpentry NOC | G | $11.25 |
| 9536 | Carpet Cleaning | C | $3.00 |
| 9519 | Catering NOC | C | $3.50 |
| 5020 | Ceiling Installation | E | $8.50 |
| 9610 | Cemetery - All | D | $3.50 |
| 5348 | Ceramic Tile, Indoor Stone, Marble, or Mosaic Work | E | $5.50 |
| 2131 | Cereal Manufacturing | C | $2.90 |
| 7405 | Charter Aircraft | F | $12.75 |
| 8826 | Chiropractic Office | B | $0.90 |
| 8812 | Clerical - Drafting Employees | A | $0.22 |
| 8810 | Clerical Office Employees | A | $0.25 |
| 8871 | Clerical Telecommuter Employees | B | $0.30 |
| 2501 | Clothing Manufacturing | B | $2.25 |
| 8008 | Clothing or Wearing Apparel Store - Retail | C | $1.85 |
| 9061 | Club NOC - All Employees | C | $2.80 |
| 8844 | Collection Agency | A | $0.22 |
| 8868 | College or University - Professional Employees | B | $0.45 |
| 7380 | Commercial Drivers | D | $8.50 |
| 8859 | Computer Programming or Software Development | A | $0.18 |
| 5201 | Concrete Block Manufacturing | E | $8.00 |
| 5213 | Concrete Construction NOC | F | $9.75 |
| 5214 | Concrete NOC - Poured | F | $10.25 |
| 5221 | Concrete or Cement Work - Floors, Driveways, Yards | F | $8.90 |
| 5070 | Concrete Products Manufacturing | E | $6.50 |
| 5215 | Concrete Work | F | $11.50 |
| 5222 | Concrete/Cement - Floors | E | $8.25 |
| 8227 | Construction Material - Used | D | $5.75 |
| 8019 | Convenience Store | C | $2.25 |
| 7715 | Corrections Officers | G | $9.25 |
| 9558 | Courier/Document Delivery | C | $3.25 |
| 7719 | Court Employees | B | $1.25 |
| 8865 | Court Reporter | A | $0.15 |
| 2070 | Creamery/Dairy Products | C | $3.75 |
| 8801 | Credit Union - All Employees | A | $0.15 |
| 8805 | Credit Union/Savings | A | $0.15 |
| 9059 | Day Spa | B | $1.50 |
| 8854 | Daycare Center | C | $2.50 |
| 8822 | Dental Laboratory | B | $0.75 |
| 8824 | Dental Office - All Employees | B | $0.55 |
| 8039 | Department Store - Retail | C | $2.00 |
| 2102 | Distillery | C | $3.10 |
| 5108 | Door/Window Installation | D | $6.25 |
| 5152 | Drilling NOC | F | $13.50 |
| 8047 | Drug Store | B | $0.95 |
| 2688 | Dry Cleaning | C | $3.25 |
| 8866 | Election Campaign | B | $0.85 |
| 7539 | Electric Light/Power Companies | F | $10.50 |
| 3082 | Electrical Apparatus Manufacturing | D | $4.50 |
| 5140 | Electrical Installation - Interior | D | $5.25 |
| 5193 | Electrical Wiring - Alarm | D | $5.50 |
| 5190 | Electrical Wiring - Within Buildings | E | $6.25 |
| 9653 | Elevator Inspection | C | $2.00 |
| 5160 | Elevator Installation | F | $10.50 |
| 5162 | Elevator Service/Maintenance | E | $8.25 |
| 8858 | Employment Agency | A | $0.20 |
| 7711 | EMT/Paramedics | F | $7.50 |
| 6217 | Excavation NOC | F | $10.80 |
| 8809 | Executive Officers NOC - Not Foremen, Workers or Salespersons | A | $0.20 |
| 0035 | Farm - Dairy | E | $8.75 |
| 0005 | Farm - Field Crops | E | $9.50 |
| 0016 | Farm - Livestock | F | $10.25 |
| 0050 | Farm - Orchard or Grove | E | $7.80 |
| 8116 | Farm Machinery Dealer - All Operations & Drivers | C | $3.25 |
| 8841 | Financial Advisor | A | $0.17 |
| 7710 | Firefighters and Drivers | D | $6.50 |
| 2161 | Fish Processing | E | $6.50 |
| 8032 | Florist - Retail | B | $1.15 |
| 2130 | Flour Milling | D | $4.25 |
| 7350 | Freight Handling | E | $7.25 |
| 2143 | Fruit Processing | D | $4.00 |
| 9620 | Funeral Directors - All Employees | C | $1.75 |
| 2883 | Furniture Manufacturing | D | $5.50 |
| 8293 | Furniture Moving & Storage, Drivers | E | $4.75 |
| 5146 | Furniture or Fixtures Installation - Portable NOC | D | $6.75 |
| 8044 | Furniture Store - Wholesale or Retail & Drivers | C | $2.75 |
| 7590 | Garbage/Ash Collection | F | $9.75 |
| 2913 | Glass Manufacturing | E | $7.50 |
| 2915 | Glass Merchant | D | $5.25 |
| 5462 | Glazier | E | $8.50 |
| 9056 | Golf Club | C | $2.50 |
| 8811 | Government Clerical | A | $0.22 |
| 8304 | Grain Elevator | E | $7.00 |
| 2041 | Grain Milling | D | $4.50 |
| 8006 | Grocery Store - Retail | C | $2.50 |
| 9585 | Hair Salon | B | $1.25 |
| 8010 | Hardware Store - Wholesale or Retail | C | $2.60 |
| 5137 | Heating Equipment Installation | D | $5.75 |
| 5185 | Heating System Installation | D | $5.50 |
| 5537 | Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | E | $5.75 |
| 8851 | Home for Aged - All | D | $5.25 |
| 8835 | Home Health Care Services | C | $4.15 |
| 9040 | Hospital - All Other Employees | B | $5.50 |
| 8833 | Hospital - Professional Employees | C | $2.85 |
| 9058 | Hotel - Restaurant Employees | C | $3.50 |
| 9052 | Hotel NOC - All Other Employees & Drivers | C | $3.65 |
| 9529 | House Cleaning | C | $3.25 |
| 9033 | Housing Authority | B | $1.50 |
| 2039 | Ice Cream Manufacturing | C | $3.50 |
| 8215 | Ice Dealer | C | $3.00 |
| 8203 | Ice Manufacturing | D | $4.50 |
| 5479 | Insulation Work | E | $7.50 |
| 8845 | Investigator/Detective | C | $2.25 |
| 8840 | Investment Company | A | $0.15 |
| 5038 | Iron Doors/Gates Installation | F | $14.50 |
| 5057 | Iron or Steel Erection - NOC | G | $17.25 |
| 5102 | Iron or Steel Erection - Structural | G | $18.50 |
| 5069 | Iron/Steel - NOC | G | $21.00 |
| 5059 | Iron/Steel - Ornamental | F | $12.25 |
| 5040 | Iron/Steel Erection - Frame | G | $24.50 |
| 8106 | Iron/Steel Merchant | D | $5.50 |
| 6229 | Irrigation Works - All Operations | E | $6.50 |
| 9014 | Janitorial Services - By Contractor | C | $4.25 |
| 8013 | Jewelry Store | B | $0.85 |
| 8263 | Junk Dealer | D | $5.50 |
| 0917 | Landscape Gardening - NOC | D | $5.25 |
| 5443 | Lathing | E | $8.75 |
| 2660 | Laundry NOC | C | $3.50 |
| 2586 | Leather Goods Manufacturing | C | $3.00 |
| 9034 | Library - All Employees | A | $0.65 |
| 7716 | Lifeguards | D | $3.75 |
| 7317 | Longshore Workers | G | $19.00 |
| 8061 | Lumber Dealer | D | $5.75 |
| 3632 | Machine Shop NOC | D | $4.75 |
| 3030 | Machinery Manufacturing | D | $5.50 |
| 3685 | Machinist NOC | D | $5.10 |
| 7327 | Marine Transportation | F | $12.50 |
| 5029 | Masonry - Decorative | E | $9.50 |
| 5027 | Masonry - Fireproof | F | $11.00 |
| 5028 | Masonry - Stone | F | $12.75 |
| 5022 | Masonry NOC | F | $10.50 |
| 8031 | Meat Market - Retail | C | $2.75 |
| 2001 | Meat Packing | F | $8.75 |
| 8033 | Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - Retail | C | $3.25 |
| 8021 | Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - Wholesale | C | $2.50 |
| 8838 | Medical Lab | B | $0.75 |
| 7360 | Messenger Service | C | $3.50 |
| 3581 | Metal Stamping - NOC | E | $6.15 |
| 9410 | Municipal, Township, County or State Employees - NOC | C | $3.50 |
| 9587 | Nail Salon | B | $1.00 |
| 8860 | Newspaper - Delivery | C | $3.75 |
| 8869 | Newspaper or Magazine Publishing - All Employees | B | $0.35 |
| 8807 | Newspaper Publishing | B | $0.85 |
| 0042 | Nursery Employees | E | $6.25 |
| 9046 | Nursing - Home/Visiting | D | $5.75 |
| 9049 | Nursing Home - All | D | $5.50 |
| 8829 | Nursing Home - All Employees | C | $5.25 |
| 5191 | Office Machine Installation, Inspection, Adjustment, or Repair | E | $4.25 |
| 8825 | Optometry Office | A | $0.40 |
| 8742 | Outside Sales Personnel | B | $0.55 |
| 8055 | Packaging - Contract - Retail Size Packages | C | $2.50 |
| 8037 | Paint Store | B | $1.00 |
| 5474 | Painting NOC & Shop Operations, Drivers | E | $7.50 |
| 7721 | Park Rangers | D | $3.50 |
| 8821 | Patent/Copyright Attorney | A | $0.20 |
| 4361 | Pest Control Services | D | $4.50 |
| 9549 | Pet Grooming | C | $1.75 |
| 8099 | Pet Store | B | $1.15 |
| 8846 | Pharmaceutical Sales | B | $0.55 |
| 8839 | Pharmacy - Retail | B | $0.90 |
| 7600 | Phone/Telegraph Installation | E | $7.00 |
| 8832 | Physician & Clerical | B | $0.45 |
| 2110 | Pickle Manufacturing | C | $2.85 |
| 7313 | Pier/Wharf Operation | F | $11.25 |
| 5480 | Plastering NOC | E | $7.25 |
| 8111 | Plumber - Commercial | E | $6.00 |
| 5183 | Plumbing NOC | E | $6.75 |
| 7723 | Police Officers - Mounted | F | $10.75 |
| 7720 | Police Officers and Drivers | D | $5.75 |
| 8816 | Post Office | C | $2.75 |
| 2002 | Poultry Processing | F | $8.50 |
| 3076 | Printing - Offset or Digital | D | $3.10 |
| 8843 | Psychiatric Hospital | D | $4.50 |
| 8015 | Quick Printing | B | $1.00 |
| 8857 | Radio Station - Clerical | A | $0.18 |
| 7610 | Radio/TV Broadcasting | B | $1.25 |
| 7855 | Railroad Operation | E | $7.50 |
| 8856 | Real Estate Agency - All Employees | C | $1.20 |
| 8817 | Real Estate Management | B | $1.25 |
| 9077 | Recreation Center | C | $2.50 |
| 3060 | Refrigerator Manufacturing | D | $4.75 |
| 8849 | Research Lab - Analytical | B | $1.10 |
| 9079 | Restaurant - Fast Food | C | $3.25 |
| 9083 | Restaurant - Fast Food - Including Delivery | D | $4.10 |
| 9082 | Restaurant NOC | D | $3.75 |
| 8045 | Retail Store - Cannabis/Dispensary | C | $2.15 |
| 8017 | Retail Store NOC | C | $2.10 |
| 5551 | Roofing - All Employees | G | $25.00 |
| 5606 | Roofing Contractor | G | $22.50 |
| 7724 | Sanitation Workers | F | $8.50 |
| 9101 | School - All Employees | B | $1.85 |
| 9008 | Schools - Vocational | C | $2.75 |
| 9060 | Senior Center | B | $1.75 |
| 5538 | Sheet Metal Work - HVAC Ductwork | E | $6.80 |
| 8090 | Shoe Store | A | $0.55 |
| 5119 | Siding Installation | E | $7.50 |
| 9554 | Sign Installation, Maintenance, Repair, Removal or Replacement NOC - Away From Shop & Drivers | F | $8.25 |
| 9072 | Skating Rink | C | $2.75 |
| 8864 | Social Services Organization | B | $1.25 |
| 2105 | Soft Drink Manufacturing | C | $2.75 |
| 8078 | Sporting Goods Store | B | $1.25 |
| 8279 | Stable/Riding Academy | D | $5.25 |
| 7309 | Stevedoring | G | $18.50 |
| 5506 | Street/Road Construction | F | $11.75 |
| 5507 | Street/Road Construction - Clearing | F | $10.00 |
| 8804 | Substance Use Disorder Recovery Homes | C | $4.50 |
| 2021 | Sugar Manufacturing | D | $4.25 |
| 5223 | Swimming Pool Construction | F | $9.25 |
| 9064 | Swimming Pool Operation | C | $2.75 |
| 2623 | Tanning | D | $5.50 |
| 7370 | Taxi/Rideshare | D | $6.75 |
| 7390 | Taxicab Company - All Employees | D | $7.80 |
| 8814 | Telephone Company - Clerical | A | $0.18 |
| 5037 | Tile Roofing | G | $22.00 |
| 2121 | Tobacco Manufacturing | C | $2.50 |
| 7229 | Trucking - Hazmat | G | $14.75 |
| 7228 | Trucking - Local Hauling Only | D | $8.75 |
| 7219 | Trucking - Long Haul | E | $11.50 |
| 7232 | Trucking - Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery - Under Contract With USPS | F | $10.50 |
| 7231 | Trucking - Mail, Parcel, or Package Delivery | D | $9.10 |
| 7202 | Trucking - NOC | E | $9.50 |
| 7227 | Trucking - Refrigerated | E | $10.25 |
| 8847 | Trust Company | A | $0.15 |
| 9522 | Upholstery | C | $2.75 |
| 9068 | Veterans Home | D | $4.25 |
| 8842 | Veterinary Office - All Employees | C | $1.10 |
| 5180 | Water Main Construction | F | $12.00 |
| 3365 | Welding or Cutting NOC | E | $8.25 |
| 8018 | Wholesale Store NOC | C | $2.40 |
| 5196 | Wiring - Fire Detection Systems | D | $4.75 |
| 2841 | Woodworking NOC | D | $5.75 |
| 2286 | Wool Processing | C | $3.15 |
| 8802 | Writer/Author | A | $0.20 |
| 2220 | Yarn/Thread Manufacturing | C | $3.00 |
| 9063 | YMCA, YWCA, or Health Club - All Employees | C | $2.85 |
States with Similar Rates
Popular Workers' Comp Rate Guides by State
California workers' compensation rates · Pennsylvania workers' compensation rates · Ohio workers' compensation rates · Florida workers' compensation rates · Texas workers' compensation rates · New York workers' compensation rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides for Kentucky Employers
- The Complete Guide to Workers' Comp Costs in 2026
National benchmarks, the 2026 state rate-change table, and how to budget your premium.
- Compare Workers' Comp Rates by State
Rank all states for the same class code or compare Kentucky rates side by side with up to two other states.
- Workers' Comp Premium Calculator
Estimate annual premium from your Kentucky class-code rate, payroll, and experience modification factor.
- Workers' Comp Class Codes Explained
How NCCI assigns a code to each job and why it creates a 10–25× swing in your rate.
- NCCI Class Code Lookup & Directory
Search workers' comp class codes by keyword to find the four-digit NCCI (or Kentucky bureau) code for your business — then see how it is rated above.
- Experience Modification Rate (EMR) Explained
How your claims history becomes a multiplier that raises or lowers your Kentucky premium.
- 5 Proven Ways to Lower Your Workers' Comp Premium
Tactics any small business can use to reduce cost at next renewal — from classification audits to return-to-work programs.
- How Rates Are Calculated: NCCI vs Independent States
Whether Kentucky uses NCCI or an independent bureau — and why the difference changes how your premium is set.
Get a Workers' Comp Quote for Kentucky
Compare rates from top carriers. Free, no-obligation quotes in minutes.
Get Quote