Workers' Compensation Rates in Minnesota (2026)

Last verified: 2026-08-14 · Reviewed against NCCI and state rating-bureau filings — how we verify

State Overview

WC Requirement

Mandatory

Minimum Employees

1

Effective Date

2026-01-01

January 1 really is Minnesota's cycle, but MWCIA publishes pure premium base rates rather than NCCI-style loss costs, and those values change shape for 2026: MWCIA extended Minnesota's pure premium base rates, assigned-risk rates and expected loss rates from two decimal places to three, effective January 1, 2026. The Deputy Commerce Commissioner's order of September 5, 2025 set the Assigned Risk Plan's pure premium multiplier at 2.15 against the 2026 Minnesota Ratemaking Report, a 6.2% decrease in total assigned-risk premium effective January 1, 2026.

Minnesota has its own independent rating bureau (MWCIA). The state maintains a well-regulated workers' comp system.

Average Rate (All Class Codes)

$5.73

per $100 of payroll

Least Expensive Class Codes

  • 8815Bank - All Employees$0.16
  • 8865Court Reporter$0.16
  • 8801Credit Union - All Employees$0.16

Most Expensive Class Codes

Understanding Minnesota Workers' Comp Rates

Minnesota workers' compensation pure premium base rates fell 4.6% on average effective January 1, 2026 — a decrease the Minnesota Department of Commerce approved as part of the 2026 Minnesota Ratemaking Report. That headline figure is a statewide average across every classification, not a rate change you can expect on your own renewal: what you actually pay is your class code's pure premium base rate multiplied by your payroll, then adjusted by your insurer's own loss-cost multiplier and your experience modification factor.

The Minnesota Workers' Compensation Insurers Association (MWCIA) describes itself as "a non-profit corporation licensed by the State of Minnesota Department of Commerce as a DSO" — a data service organization — and notes that it is "one of ten independent data collection organizations of its type, each serving one of ten states in the nation," while "the majority of the remaining states are served by the NCCI." So Minnesota is not an NCCI state. If you are extending an existing policy into Minnesota, that distinction is the first thing to check: your classification, your rate basis and your experience-rating eligibility all come from Minnesota's own filings rather than from the national manual. For contrast, see how the model differs in a neighbouring independent-bureau state, Wisconsin workers' compensation rates, and in a monopolistic state fund, Ohio workers' compensation rates; our rating bureau directory maps every state to the organization that files its rates.

MWCIA published the decrease in Circular No. 25-1863, dated July 29, 2025. The circular breaks the number down rather than leaving it as a single figure: the indicated change from financial-data experience — policy years 2022 and 2023 and accident years 2023 and 2024, excluding COVID-19 losses incurred between December 1, 2019 and June 30, 2023 — was -5.2%. The October 1, 2025 change in the minimum and maximum weekly benefit added an estimated 0.4%, House File 2988 subtracted an estimated 0.5% (a combined benefit impact of -0.1%), and a change in loss adjustment expenses added 0.7%. Those components combine to the approved -4.6%.

Minnesota Class Codes Are Not NCCI Class Codes

Minnesota maintains its own classification system, published by MWCIA in the Minnesota Basic Manual rather than in NCCI's Basic Manual. MWCIA also publishes the Minnesota Experience Rating Plan, Forms and Statistical Plan manuals, and it advises that "all users of our manuals … use the website version and not a downloaded version" — a real caution, because a saved PDF goes stale against the live manual. Many Minnesota codes share a four-digit number with a familiar national code, but the phraseology, inclusions and exclusions are Minnesota's, so a number that matches is not proof that the classification matches.

The practical consequence is the same one that catches multi-state employers everywhere: do not carry a class code across the state line on the strength of the number alone. An employer who recognises a standard-exception role such as NCCI code 8742 Outside Sales Personnel or the clerical pair 8810 Clerical Office Employees and 8871 Clerical Telecommuter Employees, or a trade classification such as 9014 Janitorial Services by Contractor or workers comp code 5213 Concrete Construction NOC, should confirm the Minnesota assignment against the Minnesota Basic Manual before reporting payroll to it. MWCIA runs a classification search tool for exactly this lookup, and misclassification surfacing at audit is one of the most common causes of a premium dispute.

Who Is Experience Rated in Minnesota in 2026

Experience rating is not optional and it is not universal — it switches on at a premium threshold, and Minnesota's moved for 2026. Effective January 1, 2026, MWCIA raised the experience rating plan premium eligibility threshold to $15,000/$7,500 and set the primary/excess loss split point at $18,500. The paired threshold is the usual two-part test: the higher figure applies to the last year of the experience period and the lower one to the average of the period, so a small employer whose payroll has grown can cross into experience rating without expecting it — and once inside, an experience modification factor above 1.00 raises the premium computed from the base rate.

One further mechanical change lands on the same date: MWCIA extended Minnesota's pure premium base rates and expected loss rates from two decimal places to three, effective January 1, 2026, in conjunction with the 2026 Ratemaking Report. That is a precision change rather than a price change, but it means a 2026 Minnesota rate quoted to two decimals has been rounded off the filed value. Minnesota's residual market moved separately: the Deputy Commerce Commissioner's order of September 5, 2025 set the Assigned Risk Plan's pure premium multiplier at 2.15 against the same 2026 Ratemaking Report, a 6.2% decrease in total assigned-risk premium effective January 1, 2026.

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

There is no Minnesota workers' comp class code for a job title. Minnesota does not take NCCI's classification decisions — the MWCIA is the rating organization that classifies Minnesota 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.

MWCIA publishes Minnesota's classifications in the Minnesota Basic Manual (the living online edition — the MWCIA tells users to work from the website version rather than a downloaded copy, which goes out of date). To confirm the classification for a specific business, use MWCIA Classification Search — that is the filed authority for Minnesota, and a code quoted from another state's manual is not.

Minnesota's classifications are the MWCIA's own, published in the Minnesota Basic Manual and searched through the MWCIA's Classification Search rather than through NCCI.

MWCIA Classification Search (official Minnesota lookup)

All Class Codes & Rates in Minnesota

CodePhraseologyHazard GroupRate per $100
8823Accountant - CPAA$0.19
8862Advertising AgencyA$0.24
7403Aircraft Operation - NOCE$9.99
7605Alarm Installation or RepairD$5.13
5047Aluminum InstallationE$8.37
8836Ambulance Service - All EmployeesC$5.94
7398Ambulette/Medical TransportD$5.94
9067Amusement Park - Mechanical RidesD$5.67
9016Amusement Park or Exhibition Operation & DriversD$4.43
7520Amusement Ride OperationD$6.21
8831Animal Hospital - VeterinaryC$2.43
8861Architect or Engineer - ConsultingB$0.43
5473Asphalt PavingF$11.07
9625Assisted Living FacilityD$4.86
9182Athletic Teams - AmateurE$7.83
9180Athletic Teams - ProfessionalF$13.50
8820Attorney - All Employees & ClericalA$0.22
8803Auditing, Accounting or Management ConsultingA$0.22
8046Auto Accessories StoreB$1.35
5188Automatic Sprinkler InstallationE$8.48
8393Automobile Body Repair & DriversC$7.83
8748Automobile Dealer - All EmployeesD$4.05
3821Automobile Recycling & DriversD$7.34
8380Automobile Service or Repair Center & DriversD$4.86
7225Automobile Towing & DriversE$9.18
7422Aviation - Ground CrewE$7.83
2003BakeryC$3.78
3724Bakery - ManufacturingD$4.59
8815Bank - All EmployeesA$0.16
8855Banks and Trust Companies - All EmployeesA$0.18
9586Barber Shop or Beauty ParlorC$1.62
7337Boat Building - MetalF$10.53
7335Boat Building - WoodE$8.10
3027Boiler ManufacturingE$8.37
8072Book StoreA$0.54
2157BottlingC$3.51
9071Bowling Alley - All EmployeesC$2.65
9070Bowling Center - AllC$2.70
2065BreweryC$3.51
9650Building InspectionC$2.43
8232Building Material Yard & DriversE$6.21
8058Building Materials DealerD$5.67
9015Building Operation - All Other EmployeesC$3.35
9012Building or Property Management - Property Managers and Leasing Agents & Clerical, SalespersonsB$0.81
8385Bus Co - Garage EmployeesE$8.75
7382Bus Company - All EmployeesD$8.10
8850Bus/Taxi - DispatchingA$0.49
5148Cabinet Manufacturing & InstallD$6.48
2812Cabinet/Wood Products ManufacturingD$6.75
9055Camps - Day/OvernightC$3.51
2095Candy ManufacturingC$3.24
2111CanneryD$5.67
9602Car WashC$2.70
5645Carpentry - Detached One or Two Family DwellingsF$13.50
5432Carpentry - Detached One/Two FamilyE$9.99
5436Carpentry - Finish DetachedD$7.02
5404Carpentry - Install CabinetsD$7.56
5437Carpentry - Installation of Cabinet Work or Interior TrimF$15.39
2802Carpentry - Shop OnlyD$5.94
5403Carpentry NOCG$12.15
9536Carpet CleaningC$3.24
9519Catering NOCC$3.78
5020Ceiling InstallationE$9.18
9610Cemetery - AllD$3.78
5348Ceramic Tile, Indoor Stone, Marble, or Mosaic WorkE$5.94
2131Cereal ManufacturingC$3.13
7405Charter AircraftF$13.77
8826Chiropractic OfficeB$0.97
8812Clerical - Drafting EmployeesA$0.24
8810Clerical Office EmployeesA$0.27
8871Clerical Telecommuter EmployeesB$0.32
2501Clothing ManufacturingB$2.43
8008Clothing or Wearing Apparel Store - RetailC$2.00
9061Club NOC - All EmployeesC$3.02
8844Collection AgencyA$0.24
8868College or University - Professional EmployeesB$0.49
7380Commercial DriversD$9.18
8859Computer Programming or Software DevelopmentA$0.19
5201Concrete Block ManufacturingE$8.64
5213Concrete Construction NOCF$10.53
5214Concrete NOC - PouredF$11.07
5221Concrete or Cement Work - Floors, Driveways, YardsF$9.61
5070Concrete Products ManufacturingE$7.02
5215Concrete WorkF$12.42
5222Concrete/Cement - FloorsE$8.91
8227Construction Material - UsedD$6.21
8019Convenience StoreC$2.43
7715Corrections OfficersG$9.99
9558Courier/Document DeliveryC$3.51
7719Court EmployeesB$1.35
8865Court ReporterA$0.16
2070Creamery/Dairy ProductsC$4.05
8801Credit Union - All EmployeesA$0.16
8805Credit Union/SavingsA$0.16
9059Day SpaB$1.62
8854Daycare CenterC$2.70
8822Dental LaboratoryB$0.81
8824Dental Office - All EmployeesB$0.59
8039Department Store - RetailC$2.16
2102DistilleryC$3.35
5108Door/Window InstallationD$6.75
5152Drilling NOCF$14.58
8047Drug StoreB$1.03
2688Dry CleaningC$3.51
8866Election CampaignB$0.92
7539Electric Light/Power CompaniesF$11.34
3082Electrical Apparatus ManufacturingD$4.86
5140Electrical Installation - InteriorD$5.67
5193Electrical Wiring - AlarmD$5.94
5190Electrical Wiring - Within BuildingsE$6.75
9653Elevator InspectionC$2.16
5160Elevator InstallationF$11.34
5162Elevator Service/MaintenanceE$8.91
8858Employment AgencyA$0.22
7711EMT/ParamedicsF$8.10
6217Excavation NOCF$11.66
8809Executive Officers NOC - Not Foremen, Workers or SalespersonsA$0.22
0035Farm - DairyE$9.45
0005Farm - Field CropsE$10.26
0016Farm - LivestockF$11.07
0050Farm - Orchard or GroveE$8.42
8116Farm Machinery Dealer - All Operations & DriversC$3.51
8841Financial AdvisorA$0.18
7710Firefighters and DriversD$7.02
2161Fish ProcessingE$7.02
8032Florist - RetailB$1.24
2130Flour MillingD$4.59
7350Freight HandlingE$7.83
2143Fruit ProcessingD$4.32
9620Funeral Directors - All EmployeesC$1.89
2883Furniture ManufacturingD$5.94
8293Furniture Moving & Storage, DriversE$5.13
5146Furniture or Fixtures Installation - Portable NOCD$7.29
8044Furniture Store - Wholesale or Retail & DriversC$2.97
7590Garbage/Ash CollectionF$10.53
2913Glass ManufacturingE$8.10
2915Glass MerchantD$5.67
5462GlazierE$9.18
9056Golf ClubC$2.70
8811Government ClericalA$0.24
8304Grain ElevatorE$7.56
2041Grain MillingD$4.86
8006Grocery Store - RetailC$2.70
9585Hair SalonB$1.35
8010Hardware Store - Wholesale or RetailC$2.81
5137Heating Equipment InstallationD$6.21
5185Heating System InstallationD$5.94
5537Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and RefrigerationE$6.21
8851Home for Aged - AllD$5.67
8835Home Health Care ServicesC$4.48
9040Hospital - All Other EmployeesB$5.94
8833Hospital - Professional EmployeesC$3.08
9058Hotel - Restaurant EmployeesC$3.78
9052Hotel NOC - All Other Employees & DriversC$3.94
9529House CleaningC$3.51
9033Housing AuthorityB$1.62
2039Ice Cream ManufacturingC$3.78
8215Ice DealerC$3.24
8203Ice ManufacturingD$4.86
5479Insulation WorkE$8.10
8845Investigator/DetectiveC$2.43
8840Investment CompanyA$0.16
5038Iron Doors/Gates InstallationF$15.66
5057Iron or Steel Erection - NOCG$18.63
5102Iron or Steel Erection - StructuralG$19.98
5069Iron/Steel - NOCG$22.68
5059Iron/Steel - OrnamentalF$13.23
5040Iron/Steel Erection - FrameG$26.46
8106Iron/Steel MerchantD$5.94
6229Irrigation Works - All OperationsE$7.02
9014Janitorial Services - By ContractorC$4.59
8013Jewelry StoreB$0.92
8263Junk DealerD$5.94
0917Landscape Gardening - NOCD$5.67
5443LathingE$9.45
2660Laundry NOCC$3.78
2586Leather Goods ManufacturingC$3.24
9034Library - All EmployeesA$0.70
7716LifeguardsD$4.05
7317Longshore WorkersG$20.52
8061Lumber DealerD$6.21
3632Machine Shop NOCD$5.13
3030Machinery ManufacturingD$5.94
3685Machinist NOCD$5.51
7327Marine TransportationF$13.50
5029Masonry - DecorativeE$10.26
5027Masonry - FireproofF$11.88
5028Masonry - StoneF$13.77
5022Masonry NOCF$11.34
8031Meat Market - RetailC$2.97
2001Meat PackingF$9.45
8033Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - RetailC$3.51
8021Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - WholesaleC$2.70
8838Medical LabB$0.81
7360Messenger ServiceC$3.78
3581Metal Stamping - NOCE$6.64
9410Municipal, Township, County or State Employees - NOCC$3.78
9587Nail SalonB$1.08
8860Newspaper - DeliveryC$4.05
8869Newspaper or Magazine Publishing - All EmployeesB$0.38
8807Newspaper PublishingB$0.92
0042Nursery EmployeesE$6.75
9046Nursing - Home/VisitingD$6.21
9049Nursing Home - AllD$5.94
8829Nursing Home - All EmployeesC$5.67
5191Office Machine Installation, Inspection, Adjustment, or RepairE$4.59
8825Optometry OfficeA$0.43
8742Outside Sales PersonnelB$0.59
8055Packaging - Contract - Retail Size PackagesC$2.70
8037Paint StoreB$1.08
5474Painting NOC & Shop Operations, DriversE$8.10
7721Park RangersD$3.78
8821Patent/Copyright AttorneyA$0.22
4361Pest Control ServicesD$4.86
9549Pet GroomingC$1.89
8099Pet StoreB$1.24
8846Pharmaceutical SalesB$0.59
8839Pharmacy - RetailB$0.97
7600Phone/Telegraph InstallationE$7.56
8832Physician & ClericalB$0.49
2110Pickle ManufacturingC$3.08
7313Pier/Wharf OperationF$12.15
5480Plastering NOCE$7.83
8111Plumber - CommercialE$6.48
5183Plumbing NOCE$7.29
7723Police Officers - MountedF$11.61
7720Police Officers and DriversD$6.21
8816Post OfficeC$2.97
2002Poultry ProcessingF$9.18
3076Printing - Offset or DigitalD$3.35
8843Psychiatric HospitalD$4.86
8015Quick PrintingB$1.08
8857Radio Station - ClericalA$0.19
7610Radio/TV BroadcastingB$1.35
7855Railroad OperationE$8.10
8856Real Estate Agency - All EmployeesC$1.30
9077Recreation CenterC$2.70
3060Refrigerator ManufacturingD$5.13
8849Research Lab - AnalyticalB$1.19
9079Restaurant - Fast FoodC$3.51
9083Restaurant - Fast Food - Including DeliveryD$4.43
9082Restaurant NOCD$4.05
8045Retail Store - Cannabis/DispensaryC$2.32
8017Retail Store NOCC$2.27
5551Roofing - All EmployeesG$27.00
5606Roofing ContractorG$24.30
7724Sanitation WorkersF$9.18
9101School - All EmployeesB$2.00
9008Schools - VocationalC$2.97
9060Senior CenterB$1.89
5538Sheet Metal Work - HVAC DuctworkE$7.34
8090Shoe StoreA$0.59
5119Siding InstallationE$8.10
9554Sign Installation, Maintenance, Repair, Removal or Replacement NOC - Away From Shop & DriversF$8.91
9072Skating RinkC$2.97
8864Social Services OrganizationB$1.35
2105Soft Drink ManufacturingC$2.97
8078Sporting Goods StoreB$1.35
8279Stable/Riding AcademyD$5.67
7309StevedoringG$19.98
5506Street/Road ConstructionF$12.69
5507Street/Road Construction - ClearingF$10.80
8804Substance Use Disorder Recovery HomesC$4.86
2021Sugar ManufacturingD$4.59
5223Swimming Pool ConstructionF$9.99
9064Swimming Pool OperationC$2.97
2623TanningD$5.94
7370Taxi/RideshareD$7.29
7390Taxicab Company - All EmployeesD$8.42
8814Telephone Company - ClericalA$0.19
5037Tile RoofingG$23.76
2121Tobacco ManufacturingC$2.70
7229Trucking - HazmatG$15.93
7228Trucking - Local Hauling OnlyD$9.45
7219Trucking - Long HaulE$12.42
7232Trucking - Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery - Under Contract With USPSF$11.34
7231Trucking - Mail, Parcel, or Package DeliveryD$9.83
7202Trucking - NOCE$10.26
7227Trucking - RefrigeratedE$11.07
8847Trust CompanyA$0.16
9522UpholsteryC$2.97
9068Veterans HomeD$4.59
8842Veterinary Office - All EmployeesC$1.19
5180Water Main ConstructionF$12.96
3365Welding or Cutting NOCE$8.91
8018Wholesale Store NOCC$2.59
5196Wiring - Fire Detection SystemsD$5.13
2841Woodworking NOCD$6.21
2286Wool ProcessingC$3.40
8802Writer/AuthorA$0.22
2220Yarn/Thread ManufacturingC$3.24
9063YMCA, YWCA, or Health Club - All EmployeesC$3.08

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