Workers' Compensation Rates in New York (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · Reviewed against NCCI and state rating-bureau filings — how we verify

State Overview

WC Requirement

Mandatory

Minimum Employees

1

Effective Date

2025-10-01

New York has its own independent rating bureau (NYCIRB) and is one of the most expensive states for workers' comp due to high medical costs and generous benefits.

Average Rate (All Class Codes)

$7.68

per $100 of payroll

Least Expensive Class Codes

  • 8815Bank - All Employees$0.22
  • 8865Court Reporter$0.22
  • 8801Credit Union - All Employees$0.22

Most Expensive Class Codes

Understanding New York Workers' Comp Rates

New York sits outside NCCI. The New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board (NYCIRB) is the state's licensed independent rating organization — it collects payroll and loss data from every NY workers' comp insurer, calculates each employer's experience modification factor, and files annual loss cost recommendations with the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS). DFS reviews the filing and issues an approval (often modified) before insurers can use the new loss costs. The New York Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) is a separate agency — it administers claims, enforces coverage, runs hearings, and oversees the medical fee schedule.

New York workers' compensation loss costs drop 21.9% for policies effective on or after October 1, 2026 — the largest single-year cut in the state's current run of decreases, approved by DFS and announced July 15, 2026. DFS put the statewide savings above $1.7 billion, roughly $1 billion of it for businesses and about $1,779 per policyholder on average. The reduction is driven mostly by loss trend: NYCIRB's selected net future trend factor came in at -23.2%, partly offset by benefit-level changes adding 2.4%. It continues a pattern of decline since 2020 that DFS puts at an average of 10.3% a year. As always, the 21.9% is a statewide average across all class codes — your own code can move more or less, and it is a loss cost change, not a change to what you pay after your insurer's LCM and your experience modification are applied.

Three things make New York one of the most expensive states for workers' comp. First, the state's medical fee schedule and provider authorization rules tend to produce higher per-claim medical spend than NCCI states. Second, the indemnity benefit structure — weekly maximums tied to the state's average weekly wage, with permanent partial disability durations capped on a schedule that can run several hundred weeks — generates longer claim tails. Third, NY's downstate metropolitan medical and wage costs pull averages above national benchmarks. None of those factors change with carrier; they are baked into the state's loss costs before any insurer multiplier is applied.

How NY Class Codes and Rates Are Set

NYCIRB uses an NCCI-derived classification system — most NY class codes share the same four-digit number and core scope language as the NCCI national codes — but the loss cost attached to each code is NY-specific and is filed and approved separately from NCCI states. That means a code like 8810 Clerical Office Employees, 9014 Janitorial Services by Contractor, NCCI code 8742, 5221 workers comp code, workers comp code 5213, 8010 Hardware Store — Wholesale or Retail, or 5645 detached dwelling carpentry can exist in both NY and NCCI-style references, but the dollar rate per $100 of payroll is set by NYCIRB for NY risks and by NCCI (with state DOI approval) elsewhere. For nearby employer-rate comparisons, use Pennsylvania workers' compensation rates as another independent-bureau benchmark and Ohio workers' compensation rates as the monopolistic-fund contrast.

Insurers in NY can deviate from approved loss costs by filing their own loss cost multiplier (LCM) with DFS. Your renewal premium is loss cost × LCM × experience modification × payroll/100, plus or minus schedule rating credits or debits. Two NY carriers can quote the same class code at meaningfully different prices because their LCMs differ.

Coverage, Officer Caps, and Compliance Quirks

New York's workers' comp mandate is broader than most states. Nearly all for-profit employers — including those with a single part-time employee — must carry coverage from the first day of employment; sole proprietors and partners with no employees are generally exempt for themselves but can elect coverage. Domestic and household employees are covered once they work 40+ hours a week for the same employer. Non-compliance penalties are administered by the WCB and can reach $2,000 per 10 days of uninsured payroll.

Executive officers and members of LLCs are subject to NY-specific minimum and maximum payroll caps when their compensation flows into the premium calculation — those caps are republished annually by NYCIRB and differ from NCCI minimums and maximums in other states. If you operate across multiple states, do not assume your home-state officer cap carries over. Out-of-state employers with even occasional NY job sites typically need a NY policy or a properly-endorsed multi-state policy; the WCB's compliance unit aggressively pursues uncovered NY payroll.

All Class Codes & Rates in New York

CodePhraseologyHazard GroupRate per $100
8823Accountant - CPAA$0.26
8862Advertising AgencyA$0.32
7403Aircraft Operation - NOCE$13.41
7605Alarm Installation or RepairD$6.89
5047Aluminum InstallationE$11.24
8836Ambulance Service - All EmployeesC$7.98
7398Ambulette/Medical TransportD$7.98
9067Amusement Park - Mechanical RidesD$7.61
9016Amusement Park or Exhibition Operation & DriversD$5.94
7520Amusement Ride OperationD$8.34
8831Animal Hospital - VeterinaryC$3.26
8861Architect or Engineer - ConsultingB$0.58
5473Asphalt PavingF$14.86
9625Assisted Living FacilityD$6.53
9182Athletic Teams - AmateurE$10.51
9180Athletic Teams - ProfessionalF$18.13
8820Attorney - All Employees & ClericalA$0.29
8803Auditing, Accounting or Management ConsultingA$0.29
8046Auto Accessories StoreB$1.81
5188Automatic Sprinkler InstallationE$11.38
8393Automobile Body Repair & DriversC$10.51
8748Automobile Dealer - All EmployeesD$5.44
3821Automobile Recycling & DriversD$9.86
8380Automobile Service or Repair Center & DriversD$6.53
7225Automobile Towing & DriversE$12.33
7422Aviation - Ground CrewE$10.51
2003BakeryC$5.08
3724Bakery - ManufacturingD$6.16
8815Bank - All EmployeesA$0.22
8855Banks and Trust Companies - All EmployeesA$0.25
9586Barber Shop or Beauty ParlorC$2.17
7337Boat Building - MetalF$14.14
7335Boat Building - WoodE$10.88
3027Boiler ManufacturingE$11.24
8072Book StoreA$0.73
2157BottlingC$4.71
9071Bowling Alley - All EmployeesC$3.55
9070Bowling Center - AllC$3.63
2065BreweryC$4.71
9650Building InspectionC$3.26
8232Building Material Yard & DriversE$8.34
8058Building Materials DealerD$7.61
9015Building Operation - All Other EmployeesC$4.50
9012Building or Property Management - Property Managers and Leasing Agents & Clerical, SalespersonsB$1.09
8385Bus Co - Garage EmployeesE$11.75
7382Bus Company - All EmployeesD$10.88
8850Bus/Taxi - DispatchingA$0.65
5148Cabinet Manufacturing & InstallD$8.70
2812Cabinet/Wood Products ManufacturingD$9.06
9055Camps - Day/OvernightC$4.71
2095Candy ManufacturingC$4.35
2111CanneryD$7.61
9602Car WashC$3.63
5645Carpentry - Detached One or Two Family DwellingsF$18.13
5432Carpentry - Detached One/Two FamilyE$13.41
5436Carpentry - Finish DetachedD$9.42
5404Carpentry - Install CabinetsD$10.15
5437Carpentry - Installation of Cabinet Work or Interior TrimF$20.66
2802Carpentry - Shop OnlyD$7.98
5403Carpentry NOCG$16.31
9536Carpet CleaningC$4.35
9519Catering NOCC$5.08
5020Ceiling InstallationE$12.33
9610Cemetery - AllD$5.08
5348Ceramic Tile, Indoor Stone, Marble, or Mosaic WorkE$7.98
2131Cereal ManufacturingC$4.21
7405Charter AircraftF$18.49
8826Chiropractic OfficeB$1.31
8812Clerical - Drafting EmployeesA$0.32
8810Clerical Office EmployeesA$0.36
8871Clerical Telecommuter EmployeesB$0.44
2501Clothing ManufacturingB$3.26
8008Clothing or Wearing Apparel Store - RetailC$2.68
9061Club NOC - All EmployeesC$4.06
8844Collection AgencyA$0.32
8868College or University - Professional EmployeesB$0.65
7380Commercial DriversD$12.33
8859Computer Programming or Software DevelopmentA$0.26
5201Concrete Block ManufacturingE$11.60
5213Concrete Construction NOCF$14.14
5214Concrete NOC - PouredF$14.86
5221Concrete or Cement Work - Floors, Driveways, YardsF$12.91
5070Concrete Products ManufacturingE$9.42
5215Concrete WorkF$16.68
5222Concrete/Cement - FloorsE$11.96
8227Construction Material - UsedD$8.34
8019Convenience StoreC$3.26
7715Corrections OfficersG$13.41
9558Courier/Document DeliveryC$4.71
7719Court EmployeesB$1.81
8865Court ReporterA$0.22
2070Creamery/Dairy ProductsC$5.44
8801Credit Union - All EmployeesA$0.22
8805Credit Union/SavingsA$0.22
9059Day SpaB$2.17
8854Daycare CenterC$3.63
8822Dental LaboratoryB$1.09
8824Dental Office - All EmployeesB$0.80
8039Department Store - RetailC$2.90
2102DistilleryC$4.50
5108Door/Window InstallationD$9.06
5152Drilling NOCF$19.58
8047Drug StoreB$1.38
2688Dry CleaningC$4.71
8866Election CampaignB$1.23
7539Electric Light/Power CompaniesF$15.23
3082Electrical Apparatus ManufacturingD$6.53
5140Electrical Installation - InteriorD$7.61
5193Electrical Wiring - AlarmD$7.98
5190Electrical Wiring - Within BuildingsE$9.06
9653Elevator InspectionC$2.90
5160Elevator InstallationF$15.23
5162Elevator Service/MaintenanceE$11.96
8858Employment AgencyA$0.29
7711EMT/ParamedicsF$10.88
6217Excavation NOCF$15.66
8809Executive Officers NOC - Not Foremen, Workers or SalespersonsA$0.29
0035Farm - DairyE$12.69
0005Farm - Field CropsE$13.78
0016Farm - LivestockF$14.86
0050Farm - Orchard or GroveE$11.31
8116Farm Machinery Dealer - All Operations & DriversC$4.71
8841Financial AdvisorA$0.25
7710Firefighters and DriversD$9.42
2161Fish ProcessingE$9.42
8032Florist - RetailB$1.67
2130Flour MillingD$6.16
7350Freight HandlingE$10.51
2143Fruit ProcessingD$5.80
9620Funeral Directors - All EmployeesC$2.54
2883Furniture ManufacturingD$7.98
8293Furniture Moving & Storage, DriversE$6.89
5146Furniture or Fixtures Installation - Portable NOCD$9.79
8044Furniture Store - Wholesale or Retail & DriversC$3.99
7590Garbage/Ash CollectionF$14.14
2913Glass ManufacturingE$10.88
2915Glass MerchantD$7.61
5462GlazierE$12.33
9056Golf ClubC$3.63
8811Government ClericalA$0.32
8304Grain ElevatorE$10.15
2041Grain MillingD$6.53
8006Grocery Store - RetailC$3.63
9585Hair SalonB$1.81
8010Hardware Store - Wholesale or RetailC$3.77
5137Heating Equipment InstallationD$8.34
5185Heating System InstallationD$7.98
5537Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and RefrigerationE$8.34
8851Home for Aged - AllD$7.61
8835Home Health Care ServicesC$6.02
9040Hospital - All Other EmployeesB$7.98
8833Hospital - Professional EmployeesC$4.13
9058Hotel - Restaurant EmployeesC$5.08
9052Hotel NOC - All Other Employees & DriversC$5.29
9529House CleaningC$4.71
9033Housing AuthorityB$2.17
2039Ice Cream ManufacturingC$5.08
8215Ice DealerC$4.35
8203Ice ManufacturingD$6.53
5479Insulation WorkE$10.88
8845Investigator/DetectiveC$3.26
8840Investment CompanyA$0.22
5038Iron Doors/Gates InstallationF$21.03
5057Iron or Steel Erection - NOCG$25.01
5102Iron or Steel Erection - StructuralG$26.83
5069Iron/Steel - NOCG$30.45
5059Iron/Steel - OrnamentalF$17.76
5040Iron/Steel Erection - FrameG$35.53
8106Iron/Steel MerchantD$7.98
6229Irrigation Works - All OperationsE$9.42
9014Janitorial Services - By ContractorC$6.16
8013Jewelry StoreB$1.23
8263Junk DealerD$7.98
0917Landscape Gardening - NOCD$7.61
5443LathingE$12.69
2660Laundry NOCC$5.08
2586Leather Goods ManufacturingC$4.35
9034Library - All EmployeesA$0.94
7716LifeguardsD$5.44
7317Longshore WorkersG$27.55
8061Lumber DealerD$8.34
3632Machine Shop NOCD$6.89
3030Machinery ManufacturingD$7.98
3685Machinist NOCD$7.40
7327Marine TransportationF$18.13
5029Masonry - DecorativeE$13.78
5027Masonry - FireproofF$15.95
5028Masonry - StoneF$18.49
5022Masonry NOCF$15.23
8031Meat Market - RetailC$3.99
2001Meat PackingF$12.69
8033Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - RetailC$4.71
8021Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - WholesaleC$3.63
8838Medical LabB$1.09
7360Messenger ServiceC$5.08
3581Metal Stamping - NOCE$8.92
9410Municipal, Township, County or State Employees - NOCC$5.08
9587Nail SalonB$1.45
8860Newspaper - DeliveryC$5.44
8869Newspaper or Magazine Publishing - All EmployeesB$0.51
8807Newspaper PublishingB$1.23
0042Nursery EmployeesE$9.06
9046Nursing - Home/VisitingD$8.34
9049Nursing Home - AllD$7.98
8829Nursing Home - All EmployeesC$7.61
5191Office Machine Installation, Inspection, Adjustment, or RepairE$6.16
8825Optometry OfficeA$0.58
8742Outside Sales PersonnelB$0.80
8055Packaging - Contract - Retail Size PackagesC$3.63
8037Paint StoreB$1.45
5474Painting NOC & Shop Operations, DriversE$10.88
7721Park RangersD$5.08
8821Patent/Copyright AttorneyA$0.29
4361Pest Control ServicesD$6.53
9549Pet GroomingC$2.54
8099Pet StoreB$1.67
8846Pharmaceutical SalesB$0.80
8839Pharmacy - RetailB$1.31
7600Phone/Telegraph InstallationE$10.15
8832Physician & ClericalB$0.65
2110Pickle ManufacturingC$4.13
7313Pier/Wharf OperationF$16.31
5480Plastering NOCE$10.51
8111Plumber - CommercialE$8.70
5183Plumbing NOCE$9.79
7723Police Officers - MountedF$15.59
7720Police Officers and DriversD$8.34
8816Post OfficeC$3.99
2002Poultry ProcessingF$12.33
3076Printing - Offset or DigitalD$4.50
8843Psychiatric HospitalD$6.53
8015Quick PrintingB$1.45
8857Radio Station - ClericalA$0.26
7610Radio/TV BroadcastingB$1.81
7855Railroad OperationE$10.88
8856Real Estate Agency - All EmployeesC$1.74
8817Real Estate ManagementB$1.81
9077Recreation CenterC$3.63
3060Refrigerator ManufacturingD$6.89
8849Research Lab - AnalyticalB$1.60
9079Restaurant - Fast FoodC$4.71
9083Restaurant - Fast Food - Including DeliveryD$5.94
9082Restaurant NOCD$5.44
8045Retail Store - Cannabis/DispensaryC$3.12
8017Retail Store NOCC$3.05
5551Roofing - All EmployeesG$36.25
5606Roofing ContractorG$32.63
7724Sanitation WorkersF$12.33
9101School - All EmployeesB$2.68
9008Schools - VocationalC$3.99
9060Senior CenterB$2.54
5538Sheet Metal Work - HVAC DuctworkE$9.86
8090Shoe StoreA$0.80
5119Siding InstallationE$10.88
9554Sign Installation, Maintenance, Repair, Removal or Replacement NOC - Away From Shop & DriversF$11.96
9072Skating RinkC$3.99
8864Social Services OrganizationB$1.81
2105Soft Drink ManufacturingC$3.99
8078Sporting Goods StoreB$1.81
8279Stable/Riding AcademyD$7.61
7309StevedoringG$26.83
5506Street/Road ConstructionF$17.04
5507Street/Road Construction - ClearingF$14.50
8804Substance Use Disorder Recovery HomesC$6.53
2021Sugar ManufacturingD$6.16
5223Swimming Pool ConstructionF$13.41
9064Swimming Pool OperationC$3.99
2623TanningD$7.98
7370Taxi/RideshareD$9.79
7390Taxicab Company - All EmployeesD$11.31
8814Telephone Company - ClericalA$0.26
5037Tile RoofingG$31.90
2121Tobacco ManufacturingC$3.63
7229Trucking - HazmatG$21.39
7228Trucking - Local Hauling OnlyD$12.69
7219Trucking - Long HaulE$16.68
7232Trucking - Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery - Under Contract With USPSF$15.23
7231Trucking - Mail, Parcel, or Package DeliveryD$13.19
7202Trucking - NOCE$13.78
7227Trucking - RefrigeratedE$14.86
8847Trust CompanyA$0.22
9522UpholsteryC$3.99
9068Veterans HomeD$6.16
8842Veterinary Office - All EmployeesC$1.60
5180Water Main ConstructionF$17.40
3365Welding or Cutting NOCE$11.96
8018Wholesale Store NOCC$3.48
5196Wiring - Fire Detection SystemsD$6.89
2841Woodworking NOCD$8.34
2286Wool ProcessingC$4.57
8802Writer/AuthorA$0.29
2220Yarn/Thread ManufacturingC$4.35
9063YMCA, YWCA, or Health Club - All EmployeesC$4.13

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides for New York Employers

Get a Workers' Comp Quote for New York

Compare rates from top carriers. Free, no-obligation quotes in minutes.

Get Quote