Workers' Compensation Rates in Texas (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-22 · Reviewed against NCCI and state rating-bureau filings — how we verify

State Overview

WC Requirement

Optional

Minimum Employees

N/A

Effective Date

2026-07-01

Reflects the July 1, 2026 NCCI advisory loss costs accepted by TDI in Commissioner's Bulletin B-0001-26 (issued February 27, 2026), an overall average 3.8% decrease from the July 1, 2025 level.

Texas is the only state where workers' comp is not mandatory — employers can choose to be non-subscribers, though most carry coverage. Rates are built on NCCI advisory loss costs, which the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) reviews annually. TDI accepted NCCI's filing for an average 3.8% decrease to loss costs effective July 1, 2026 (Commissioner's Bulletin B-0001-26), following an 11.5% decrease the year before — a multi-year run of decreases.

Average Rate (All Class Codes)

$4.19

per $100 of payroll

Least Expensive Class Codes

  • 8815Bank - All Employees$0.12
  • 8865Court Reporter$0.12
  • 8801Credit Union - All Employees$0.12

Most Expensive Class Codes

Understanding Texas Workers' Comp Rates

Texas is the workers' comp outlier: it is the only state where private employers can legally choose not to carry workers' compensation insurance at all. The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation (TDI-DWC) regulates the system, but coverage is elective for most private employers. An employer that carries coverage is a "subscriber"; one that opts out is a "non-subscriber." Non-subscribers must file an annual DWC Form-005 notice with the Division (the filing window runs February 1 through April 30 each year) and post notice to employees, and they give up the exclusive-remedy protection and the common-law defenses (contributory negligence, assumption of risk, fellow-servant) that subscribers keep — so an injured worker can sue a non-subscriber directly in court.

On rates, Texas is a competitive, file-and-use state rather than an administered-rate or mandatory-loss-cost state. NCCI serves as the licensed advisory and statistical organization, but insurers are not required to use NCCI's numbers. TDI has accepted NCCI's advisory loss-cost filing effective July 1, 2026, which carries an overall average 3.8% decrease to the loss-cost level. For policies effective on or after July 1, 2026, each carrier must price using one of two bases: its own independent, insurer-specific classification relativities, or NCCI's July 1, 2026 advisory loss costs. That choice — plus the carrier's loss-cost multiplier, your experience modifier, and schedule credits — is why two Texas carriers can quote the same class code very differently.

Subscriber vs Non-Subscriber: The Texas Decision

Because coverage is optional, the first Texas decision is not which carrier but whether to subscribe at all. Subscribing buys exclusive remedy: an injured employee's workers' comp benefits are generally the sole recovery against the employer, capping the employer's liability and barring most negligence suits. Opting out as a non-subscriber removes that shield — the employer can be sued for work injuries and loses the three classic common-law defenses, which in a serious-injury case can mean exposure far larger than a comp premium. Many large Texas employers self-fund an ERISA occupational-injury plan as non-subscribers, but that is a sophisticated, lawyered arrangement, not a default for a small business.

Non-subscribers also take on reporting duties. They must file the annual notice of non-coverage with TDI-DWC, notify employees of non-subscriber status in writing and by workplace posting, and report certain work-related injuries and fatalities (DWC Form-007). Failing to file or post can add penalties on top of the lost legal protection. A small business weighing the option should price a subscriber policy using the rate table on this page before assuming non-subscription saves money — the premium is often modest relative to a single uninsured-injury lawsuit.

How Texas Class Codes and Rates Are Set

Texas uses the standard NCCI four-digit classification system — the same codes (8810 Clerical, 8742 Outside Sales, 9082 Restaurant NOC, 5183 Plumbing NOC, and roughly 600 others) used across most of the country — but the dollar amount attached to each code is set competitively, not by a single mandatory rate. Carriers either file their own classification relativities or adopt NCCI's advisory loss costs, then apply their loss-cost multiplier. Because Texas does not impose a uniform manual rate, shopping the same class code across carriers can produce a wider spread than in administered-rate states.

Texas annual filings run on a July 1 cycle. The rates shown on this page have been carried forward to that July 1, 2026 level: TDI accepted the filing in Commissioner's Bulletin B-0001-26 on February 27, 2026, and the 3.8% average decrease has been applied to the July 1, 2025 benchmark that previously appeared here (which itself reflected the 11.5% decrease TDI approved for July 1, 2025). The July 1, 2026 NCCI advisory loss-cost filing accepted by TDI reflects an average 3.8% decrease, but that is a statewide average across all classes — your specific code may move more or less, and the figure on this page is a filing-based benchmark, not a binding quote. Final premium still depends on payroll, the carrier's loss-cost multiplier, your experience modification factor, schedule rating credits or debits, and minimum premium rules.

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

There is no Texas workers' comp class code for a job title. NCCI files the classifications used in Texas, and the NCCI rules are what an auditor applies, 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.

NCCI publishes Texas's classifications in the Basic Manual for Texas (the Texas edition, amended by NCCI item filings that TDI accepts by Commissioner's Order — Item 01-TX-2024 landed under Order 2025-9216 on March 27, 2025, and Item B-1451 establishes Code 8871 in Texas effective July 1, 2026). To confirm the classification for a specific business, use the TDI Texas Workers' Compensation Rate Guide, published by the Texas Department of Insurance rather than by NCCI — that is the filed authority for Texas, and a code quoted from another state's manual is not. TDI accepts the filed manual and publishes the rate guide, but it says plainly that its Property and Casualty Lines Office “answers inquiries about the workers' compensation rate guide and manuals — not claims or classification codes”. A Texas classification question therefore goes to the carrier that assigned the code and to NCCI, which files the Texas classifications as TDI's advisory organization, rather than to the department's rate-guide line.

Texas classifications are Texas's own. TDI states that the Texas classifications “may differ significantly from those used in other states because they are specific to Texas businesses” and that companies must use Texas classifications — so a code carried in from another state's NCCI manual is not usable on a Texas policy, and NCCI publishes the Texas pages, including a Texas Table of classifications by hazard group, separately from its multistate ones. Texas also stopped using relativities as a rate basis for policies incepting on or after July 1, 2020 (Commissioner's Order No. 2020-6354), so each classification is now priced as a filed loss cost multiplied by the carrier's own loss cost multiplier, which is why two carriers quote the same code differently.

the TDI Texas Workers' Compensation Rate Guide (official Texas lookup)

All Class Codes & Rates in Texas

CodePhraseologyHazard GroupRate per $100
8823Accountant - CPAA$0.14
8862Advertising AgencyA$0.17
7403Aircraft Operation - NOCE$7.30
7605Alarm Installation or RepairD$3.75
5047Aluminum InstallationE$6.11
8836Ambulance Service - All EmployeesC$4.34
7398Ambulette/Medical TransportD$4.34
9067Amusement Park - Mechanical RidesD$4.14
9016Amusement Park or Exhibition Operation & DriversD$3.23
7520Amusement Ride OperationD$4.54
8831Animal Hospital - VeterinaryC$1.78
8861Architect or Engineer - ConsultingB$0.32
5473Asphalt PavingF$8.09
9625Assisted Living FacilityD$3.55
9182Athletic Teams - AmateurE$5.72
9180Athletic Teams - ProfessionalF$9.86
8820Attorney - All Employees & ClericalA$0.16
8803Auditing, Accounting or Management ConsultingA$0.16
8046Auto Accessories StoreB$0.99
5188Automatic Sprinkler InstallationE$6.19
8393Automobile Body Repair & DriversC$5.72
8748Automobile Dealer - All EmployeesD$2.96
3821Automobile Recycling & DriversD$5.37
8380Automobile Service or Repair Center & DriversD$3.55
7225Automobile Towing & DriversE$6.71
7422Aviation - Ground CrewE$5.72
2003BakeryC$2.76
3724Bakery - ManufacturingD$3.35
8815Bank - All EmployeesA$0.12
8855Banks and Trust Companies - All EmployeesA$0.13
9586Barber Shop or Beauty ParlorC$1.18
7337Boat Building - MetalF$7.69
7335Boat Building - WoodE$5.92
3027Boiler ManufacturingE$6.11
8072Book StoreA$0.39
2157BottlingC$2.56
9071Bowling Alley - All EmployeesC$1.93
9070Bowling Center - AllC$1.97
2065BreweryC$2.56
9650Building InspectionC$1.78
8232Building Material Yard & DriversE$4.54
8058Building Materials DealerD$4.14
9015Building Operation - All Other EmployeesC$2.45
9012Building or Property Management - Property Managers and Leasing Agents & Clerical, SalespersonsB$0.59
8385Bus Co - Garage EmployeesE$6.39
7382Bus Company - All EmployeesD$5.92
8850Bus/Taxi - DispatchingA$0.36
5148Cabinet Manufacturing & InstallD$4.73
2812Cabinet/Wood Products ManufacturingD$4.93
9055Camps - Day/OvernightC$2.56
2095Candy ManufacturingC$2.37
2111CanneryD$4.14
9602Car WashC$1.97
5645Carpentry - Detached One or Two Family DwellingsF$9.86
5432Carpentry - Detached One/Two FamilyE$7.30
5436Carpentry - Finish DetachedD$5.13
5404Carpentry - Install CabinetsD$5.52
5437Carpentry - Installation of Cabinet Work or Interior TrimF$11.24
2802Carpentry - Shop OnlyD$4.34
5403Carpentry NOCG$8.88
9536Carpet CleaningC$2.37
9519Catering NOCC$2.76
5020Ceiling InstallationE$6.71
9610Cemetery - AllD$2.76
5348Ceramic Tile, Indoor Stone, Marble, or Mosaic WorkE$4.34
2131Cereal ManufacturingC$2.29
7405Charter AircraftF$10.06
8826Chiropractic OfficeB$0.71
8812Clerical - Drafting EmployeesA$0.17
8810Clerical Office EmployeesA$0.20
8871Clerical Telecommuter EmployeesB$0.24
2501Clothing ManufacturingB$1.78
8008Clothing or Wearing Apparel Store - RetailC$1.46
9061Club NOC - All EmployeesC$2.21
8844Collection AgencyA$0.17
8868College or University - Professional EmployeesB$0.36
7380Commercial DriversD$6.71
8859Computer Programming or Software DevelopmentA$0.14
5201Concrete Block ManufacturingE$6.31
5213Concrete Construction NOCF$7.69
5214Concrete NOC - PouredF$8.09
5221Concrete or Cement Work - Floors, Driveways, YardsF$7.02
5070Concrete Products ManufacturingE$5.13
5215Concrete WorkF$9.07
5222Concrete/Cement - FloorsE$6.51
8227Construction Material - UsedD$4.54
8019Convenience StoreC$1.78
7715Corrections OfficersG$7.30
9558Courier/Document DeliveryC$2.56
7719Court EmployeesB$0.99
8865Court ReporterA$0.12
2070Creamery/Dairy ProductsC$2.96
8801Credit Union - All EmployeesA$0.12
8805Credit Union/SavingsA$0.12
9059Day SpaB$1.18
8854Daycare CenterC$1.97
8822Dental LaboratoryB$0.59
8824Dental Office - All EmployeesB$0.43
8039Department Store - RetailC$1.58
2102DistilleryC$2.45
5108Door/Window InstallationD$4.93
5152Drilling NOCF$10.65
8047Drug StoreB$0.75
2688Dry CleaningC$2.56
8866Election CampaignB$0.67
7539Electric Light/Power CompaniesF$8.28
3082Electrical Apparatus ManufacturingD$3.55
5140Electrical Installation - InteriorD$4.14
5193Electrical Wiring - AlarmD$4.34
5190Electrical Wiring - Within BuildingsE$4.93
9653Elevator InspectionC$1.58
5160Elevator InstallationF$8.28
5162Elevator Service/MaintenanceE$6.51
8858Employment AgencyA$0.16
7711EMT/ParamedicsF$5.92
6217Excavation NOCF$8.52
8809Executive Officers NOC - Not Foremen, Workers or SalespersonsA$0.16
0035Farm - DairyE$6.90
0005Farm - Field CropsE$7.50
0016Farm - LivestockF$8.09
0050Farm - Orchard or GroveE$6.15
8116Farm Machinery Dealer - All Operations & DriversC$2.56
8841Financial AdvisorA$0.13
7710Firefighters and DriversD$5.13
2161Fish ProcessingE$5.13
8032Florist - RetailB$0.91
2130Flour MillingD$3.35
7350Freight HandlingE$5.72
2143Fruit ProcessingD$3.16
9620Funeral Directors - All EmployeesC$1.38
2883Furniture ManufacturingD$4.34
8293Furniture Moving & Storage, DriversE$3.75
5146Furniture or Fixtures Installation - Portable NOCD$5.33
8044Furniture Store - Wholesale or Retail & DriversC$2.17
7590Garbage/Ash CollectionF$7.69
2913Glass ManufacturingE$5.92
2915Glass MerchantD$4.14
5462GlazierE$6.71
9056Golf ClubC$1.97
8811Government ClericalA$0.17
8304Grain ElevatorE$5.52
2041Grain MillingD$3.55
8006Grocery Store - RetailC$1.97
9585Hair SalonB$0.99
8010Hardware Store - Wholesale or RetailC$2.05
5137Heating Equipment InstallationD$4.54
5185Heating System InstallationD$4.34
5537Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and RefrigerationE$4.54
8851Home for Aged - AllD$4.14
8835Home Health Care ServicesC$3.27
9040Hospital - All Other EmployeesB$4.34
8833Hospital - Professional EmployeesC$2.25
9058Hotel - Restaurant EmployeesC$2.76
9052Hotel NOC - All Other Employees & DriversC$2.88
9529House CleaningC$2.56
9033Housing AuthorityB$1.18
2039Ice Cream ManufacturingC$2.76
8215Ice DealerC$2.37
8203Ice ManufacturingD$3.55
5479Insulation WorkE$5.92
8845Investigator/DetectiveC$1.78
8840Investment CompanyA$0.12
5038Iron Doors/Gates InstallationF$11.44
5057Iron or Steel Erection - NOCG$13.61
5102Iron or Steel Erection - StructuralG$14.60
5069Iron/Steel - NOCG$16.57
5059Iron/Steel - OrnamentalF$9.67
5040Iron/Steel Erection - FrameG$19.33
8106Iron/Steel MerchantD$4.34
6229Irrigation Works - All OperationsE$5.13
9014Janitorial Services - By ContractorC$3.35
8013Jewelry StoreB$0.67
8263Junk DealerD$4.34
0917Landscape Gardening - NOCD$4.14
5443LathingE$6.90
2660Laundry NOCC$2.76
2586Leather Goods ManufacturingC$2.37
9034Library - All EmployeesA$0.51
7716LifeguardsD$2.96
7317Longshore WorkersG$14.99
8061Lumber DealerD$4.54
3632Machine Shop NOCD$3.75
3030Machinery ManufacturingD$4.34
3685Machinist NOCD$4.02
7327Marine TransportationF$9.86
5029Masonry - DecorativeE$7.50
5027Masonry - FireproofF$8.68
5028Masonry - StoneF$10.06
5022Masonry NOCF$8.28
8031Meat Market - RetailC$2.17
2001Meat PackingF$6.90
8033Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - RetailC$2.56
8021Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - WholesaleC$1.97
8838Medical LabB$0.59
7360Messenger ServiceC$2.76
3581Metal Stamping - NOCE$4.85
9410Municipal, Township, County or State Employees - NOCC$2.76
9587Nail SalonB$0.79
8860Newspaper - DeliveryC$2.96
8869Newspaper or Magazine Publishing - All EmployeesB$0.28
8807Newspaper PublishingB$0.67
0042Nursery EmployeesE$4.93
9046Nursing - Home/VisitingD$4.54
9049Nursing Home - AllD$4.34
8829Nursing Home - All EmployeesC$4.14
5191Office Machine Installation, Inspection, Adjustment, or RepairE$3.35
8825Optometry OfficeA$0.32
8742Outside Sales PersonnelB$0.43
8055Packaging - Contract - Retail Size PackagesC$1.97
8037Paint StoreB$0.79
5474Painting NOC & Shop Operations, DriversE$5.92
7721Park RangersD$2.76
8821Patent/Copyright AttorneyA$0.16
4361Pest Control ServicesD$3.55
9549Pet GroomingC$1.38
8099Pet StoreB$0.91
8846Pharmaceutical SalesB$0.43
8839Pharmacy - RetailB$0.71
7600Phone/Telegraph InstallationE$5.52
8832Physician & ClericalB$0.36
2110Pickle ManufacturingC$2.25
7313Pier/Wharf OperationF$8.88
5480Plastering NOCE$5.72
8111Plumber - CommercialE$4.73
5183Plumbing NOCE$5.33
7723Police Officers - MountedF$8.48
7720Police Officers and DriversD$4.54
8816Post OfficeC$2.17
2002Poultry ProcessingF$6.71
3076Printing - Offset or DigitalD$2.45
8843Psychiatric HospitalD$3.55
8015Quick PrintingB$0.79
8857Radio Station - ClericalA$0.14
7610Radio/TV BroadcastingB$0.99
7855Railroad OperationE$5.92
8856Real Estate Agency - All EmployeesC$0.95
9077Recreation CenterC$1.97
3060Refrigerator ManufacturingD$3.75
8849Research Lab - AnalyticalB$0.87
9079Restaurant - Fast FoodC$2.56
9083Restaurant - Fast Food - Including DeliveryD$3.23
9082Restaurant NOCD$2.96
8045Retail Store - Cannabis/DispensaryC$1.70
8017Retail Store NOCC$1.66
5551Roofing - All EmployeesG$19.73
5606Roofing ContractorG$17.75
7724Sanitation WorkersF$6.71
9101School - All EmployeesB$1.46
9008Schools - VocationalC$2.17
9060Senior CenterB$1.38
5538Sheet Metal Work - HVAC DuctworkE$5.37
8090Shoe StoreA$0.43
5119Siding InstallationE$5.92
9554Sign Installation, Maintenance, Repair, Removal or Replacement NOC - Away From Shop & DriversF$6.51
9072Skating RinkC$2.17
8864Social Services OrganizationB$0.99
2105Soft Drink ManufacturingC$2.17
8078Sporting Goods StoreB$0.99
8279Stable/Riding AcademyD$4.14
7309StevedoringG$14.60
5506Street/Road ConstructionF$9.27
5507Street/Road Construction - ClearingF$7.89
8804Substance Use Disorder Recovery HomesC$3.55
2021Sugar ManufacturingD$3.35
5223Swimming Pool ConstructionF$7.30
9064Swimming Pool OperationC$2.17
2623TanningD$4.34
7370Taxi/RideshareD$5.33
7390Taxicab Company - All EmployeesD$6.15
8814Telephone Company - ClericalA$0.14
5037Tile RoofingG$17.36
2121Tobacco ManufacturingC$1.97
7229Trucking - HazmatG$11.64
7228Trucking - Local Hauling OnlyD$6.90
7219Trucking - Long HaulE$9.07
7232Trucking - Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery - Under Contract With USPSF$8.28
7231Trucking - Mail, Parcel, or Package DeliveryD$7.18
7202Trucking - NOCE$7.50
7227Trucking - RefrigeratedE$8.09
8847Trust CompanyA$0.12
9522UpholsteryC$2.17
9068Veterans HomeD$3.35
8842Veterinary Office - All EmployeesC$0.87
5180Water Main ConstructionF$9.47
3365Welding or Cutting NOCE$6.51
8018Wholesale Store NOCC$1.89
5196Wiring - Fire Detection SystemsD$3.75
2841Woodworking NOCD$4.54
2286Wool ProcessingC$2.49
8802Writer/AuthorA$0.16
2220Yarn/Thread ManufacturingC$2.37
9063YMCA, YWCA, or Health Club - All EmployeesC$2.25

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