Workers' Compensation Rates in Virginia (2026)
Last verified: 2026-06-02 · Reviewed against NCCI and state rating-bureau filings — how we verify
State Overview
WC Requirement
Mandatory
Minimum Employees
3
Effective Date
2026-01-01
Virginia requires workers' comp for employers that regularly employ more than two workers — in practice, three or more part-time or full-time employees (Va. Code §65.2-101; VWC Commission). Subcontractors in the same trade count toward the threshold. The state has below-average rates.
Average Rate (All Class Codes)
$4.39
per $100 of payroll
Least Expensive Class Codes
- 8815 — Bank - All Employees$0.12
- 8865 — Court Reporter$0.12
- 8801 — Credit Union - All Employees$0.12
Most Expensive Class Codes
- 5551 — Roofing - All Employees$20.75
- 5040 — Iron/Steel Erection - Frame$20.33
- 5606 — Roofing Contractor$18.68
Understanding Virginia Workers' Comp Rates
Virginia is an NCCI state with below-average workers' compensation costs. NCCI is the licensed rate service organization for Virginia: it files recommended voluntary-market loss costs and assigned-risk rates with the State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Insurance, which reviews and approves them. NCCI's 2026 Virginia filing proposed a 7.7% decrease to voluntary-market loss costs and a 7.7% decrease to assigned-risk rates, with an anticipated effective date of April 1, 2026 — continuing a multi-year run of declines tied to falling claim frequency. The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission (VWC) is a separate body that administers the system: it adjudicates disputed claims, approves settlements, and enforces the coverage mandate under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act (Va. Code Title 65.2).
Because Virginia is a competitive advisory-loss-cost state, NCCI's filed number is a starting point. Each carrier files its own loss-cost multiplier (LCM) with the Bureau of Insurance, so two Virginia insurers can quote the same class code at different prices. Your premium is the class-code loss cost × LCM × experience modification factor × payroll/100, plus or minus schedule rating credits or debits. The 7.7% statewide change is an average across all class codes; your own code may have moved more or less.
How Virginia Class Codes and Rates Are Set
Virginia 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, and roughly 600 others). The scope language is national; the loss-cost dollar attached to each code is Virginia-specific and reflects Virginia claim experience. NCCI files the loss costs with the State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Insurance, which reviews them before insurers apply their multipliers; the 2026 filing carried an April 1 effective date.
Price competition in Virginia happens at the loss-cost multiplier, not the filed loss cost. Your premium is the class-code loss cost × LCM × experience modification × payroll/100, plus or minus schedule rating. Because Virginia loss costs have fallen for several consecutive years, including the proposed 7.7% reduction effective April 1, 2026, many class codes are paying less than in prior years — but the LCM you are quoted and your experience modification factor still determine your final price.
Who Must Carry Coverage in Virginia
Virginia's coverage threshold is distinctive: under Va. Code §65.2-101, an employer must carry workers' compensation insurance once it regularly employs more than two workers — in practice, three or more part-time or full-time employees. Critically, Virginia counts subcontractors and their employees engaged in the employer's trade or business toward that threshold, so a small general contractor that regularly uses subs can cross the three-worker line even with few direct W-2 employees. The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission administers and enforces this rule.
A sole proprietor with no employees who does not hire subcontractors is generally not required to carry coverage. Sole proprietors, partners, and LLC members are not automatically counted as employees and may elect inclusion if they want their own benefits; corporate officers are generally counted. Because the subcontractor-counting rule catches many construction and trade businesses by surprise, employers near the threshold should count regularly-used subs, not just payroll headcount, when deciding whether coverage is mandatory. The VWC can assess civil penalties against uninsured employers.
Sources
- NCCI — Summary of the Proposed Virginia Workers Compensation Loss Cost Filing (7.7% voluntary-market decrease, effective April 1, 2026) (retrieved 2026-06-02)
- Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission — Employer FAQs (more-than-two-employees threshold, subcontractor counting, coverage enforcement) (retrieved 2026-06-02)
- Virginia State Corporation Commission — Workers' Compensation (Bureau of Insurance reviews NCCI loss-cost and assigned-risk filings) (retrieved 2026-06-02)
All Class Codes & Rates in Virginia
| Code | Phraseology | Hazard Group | Rate per $100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8823 | Accountant - CPA | A | $0.15 |
| 8862 | Advertising Agency | A | $0.18 |
| 7403 | Aircraft Operation - NOC | E | $7.68 |
| 7605 | Alarm Installation or Repair | D | $3.94 |
| 5047 | Aluminum Installation | E | $6.43 |
| 8836 | Ambulance Service - All Employees | C | $4.56 |
| 7398 | Ambulette/Medical Transport | D | $4.56 |
| 9067 | Amusement Park - Mechanical Rides | D | $4.36 |
| 9016 | Amusement Park or Exhibition Operation & Drivers | D | $3.40 |
| 7520 | Amusement Ride Operation | D | $4.77 |
| 8831 | Animal Hospital - Veterinary | C | $1.87 |
| 8861 | Architect or Engineer - Consulting | B | $0.33 |
| 5473 | Asphalt Paving | F | $8.51 |
| 9625 | Assisted Living Facility | D | $3.74 |
| 9182 | Athletic Teams - Amateur | E | $6.02 |
| 9180 | Athletic Teams - Professional | F | $10.38 |
| 8820 | Attorney - All Employees & Clerical | A | $0.17 |
| 8803 | Auditing, Accounting or Management Consulting | A | $0.17 |
| 8046 | Auto Accessories Store | B | $1.04 |
| 5188 | Automatic Sprinkler Installation | E | $6.52 |
| 8393 | Automobile Body Repair & Drivers | C | $6.02 |
| 8748 | Automobile Dealer - All Employees | D | $3.11 |
| 3821 | Automobile Recycling & Drivers | D | $5.64 |
| 8380 | Automobile Service or Repair Center & Drivers | D | $3.74 |
| 7225 | Automobile Towing & Drivers | E | $7.06 |
| 7422 | Aviation - Ground Crew | E | $6.02 |
| 2003 | Bakery | C | $2.91 |
| 3724 | Bakery - Manufacturing | D | $3.53 |
| 8815 | Bank - All Employees | A | $0.12 |
| 8855 | Banks and Trust Companies - All Employees | A | $0.14 |
| 9586 | Barber Shop or Beauty Parlor | C | $1.24 |
| 7337 | Boat Building - Metal | F | $8.09 |
| 7335 | Boat Building - Wood | E | $6.23 |
| 3027 | Boiler Manufacturing | E | $6.43 |
| 8072 | Book Store | A | $0.42 |
| 2157 | Bottling | C | $2.70 |
| 9071 | Bowling Alley - All Employees | C | $2.03 |
| 9070 | Bowling Center - All | C | $2.07 |
| 2065 | Brewery | C | $2.70 |
| 9650 | Building Inspection | C | $1.87 |
| 8232 | Building Material Yard & Drivers | E | $4.77 |
| 8058 | Building Materials Dealer | D | $4.36 |
| 9015 | Building Operation - All Other Employees | C | $2.57 |
| 9012 | Building or Property Management - Property Managers and Leasing Agents & Clerical, Salespersons | B | $0.62 |
| 8385 | Bus Co - Garage Employees | E | $6.72 |
| 7382 | Bus Company - All Employees | D | $6.23 |
| 8850 | Bus/Taxi - Dispatching | A | $0.37 |
| 5148 | Cabinet Manufacturing & Install | D | $4.98 |
| 2812 | Cabinet/Wood Products Manufacturing | D | $5.19 |
| 9055 | Camps - Day/Overnight | C | $2.70 |
| 2095 | Candy Manufacturing | C | $2.49 |
| 2111 | Cannery | D | $4.36 |
| 9602 | Car Wash | C | $2.07 |
| 5645 | Carpentry - Detached One or Two Family Dwellings | F | $10.38 |
| 5432 | Carpentry - Detached One/Two Family | E | $7.68 |
| 5436 | Carpentry - Finish Detached | D | $5.40 |
| 5404 | Carpentry - Install Cabinets | D | $5.81 |
| 5437 | Carpentry - Installation of Cabinet Work or Interior Trim | F | $11.83 |
| 2802 | Carpentry - Shop Only | D | $4.56 |
| 5403 | Carpentry NOC | G | $9.34 |
| 9536 | Carpet Cleaning | C | $2.49 |
| 9519 | Catering NOC | C | $2.91 |
| 5020 | Ceiling Installation | E | $7.06 |
| 9610 | Cemetery - All | D | $2.91 |
| 5348 | Ceramic Tile, Indoor Stone, Marble, or Mosaic Work | E | $4.56 |
| 2131 | Cereal Manufacturing | C | $2.41 |
| 7405 | Charter Aircraft | F | $10.58 |
| 8826 | Chiropractic Office | B | $0.75 |
| 8812 | Clerical - Drafting Employees | A | $0.18 |
| 8810 | Clerical Office Employees | A | $0.21 |
| 8871 | Clerical Telecommuter Employees | B | $0.25 |
| 2501 | Clothing Manufacturing | B | $1.87 |
| 8008 | Clothing or Wearing Apparel Store - Retail | C | $1.54 |
| 9061 | Club NOC - All Employees | C | $2.32 |
| 8844 | Collection Agency | A | $0.18 |
| 8868 | College or University - Professional Employees | B | $0.37 |
| 7380 | Commercial Drivers | D | $7.06 |
| 8859 | Computer Programming or Software Development | A | $0.15 |
| 5201 | Concrete Block Manufacturing | E | $6.64 |
| 5213 | Concrete Construction NOC | F | $8.09 |
| 5214 | Concrete NOC - Poured | F | $8.51 |
| 5221 | Concrete or Cement Work - Floors, Driveways, Yards | F | $7.39 |
| 5070 | Concrete Products Manufacturing | E | $5.40 |
| 5215 | Concrete Work | F | $9.55 |
| 5222 | Concrete/Cement - Floors | E | $6.85 |
| 8227 | Construction Material - Used | D | $4.77 |
| 8019 | Convenience Store | C | $1.87 |
| 7715 | Corrections Officers | G | $7.68 |
| 9558 | Courier/Document Delivery | C | $2.70 |
| 7719 | Court Employees | B | $1.04 |
| 8865 | Court Reporter | A | $0.12 |
| 2070 | Creamery/Dairy Products | C | $3.11 |
| 8801 | Credit Union - All Employees | A | $0.12 |
| 8805 | Credit Union/Savings | A | $0.12 |
| 9059 | Day Spa | B | $1.24 |
| 8854 | Daycare Center | C | $2.07 |
| 8822 | Dental Laboratory | B | $0.62 |
| 8824 | Dental Office - All Employees | B | $0.46 |
| 8039 | Department Store - Retail | C | $1.66 |
| 2102 | Distillery | C | $2.57 |
| 5108 | Door/Window Installation | D | $5.19 |
| 5152 | Drilling NOC | F | $11.21 |
| 8047 | Drug Store | B | $0.79 |
| 2688 | Dry Cleaning | C | $2.70 |
| 8866 | Election Campaign | B | $0.71 |
| 7539 | Electric Light/Power Companies | F | $8.72 |
| 3082 | Electrical Apparatus Manufacturing | D | $3.74 |
| 5140 | Electrical Installation - Interior | D | $4.36 |
| 5193 | Electrical Wiring - Alarm | D | $4.56 |
| 5190 | Electrical Wiring - Within Buildings | E | $5.19 |
| 9653 | Elevator Inspection | C | $1.66 |
| 5160 | Elevator Installation | F | $8.72 |
| 5162 | Elevator Service/Maintenance | E | $6.85 |
| 8858 | Employment Agency | A | $0.17 |
| 7711 | EMT/Paramedics | F | $6.23 |
| 6217 | Excavation NOC | F | $8.96 |
| 8809 | Executive Officers NOC - Not Foremen, Workers or Salespersons | A | $0.17 |
| 0035 | Farm - Dairy | E | $7.26 |
| 0005 | Farm - Field Crops | E | $7.89 |
| 0016 | Farm - Livestock | F | $8.51 |
| 0050 | Farm - Orchard or Grove | E | $6.47 |
| 8116 | Farm Machinery Dealer - All Operations & Drivers | C | $2.70 |
| 8841 | Financial Advisor | A | $0.14 |
| 7710 | Firefighters and Drivers | D | $5.40 |
| 2161 | Fish Processing | E | $5.40 |
| 8032 | Florist - Retail | B | $0.95 |
| 2130 | Flour Milling | D | $3.53 |
| 7350 | Freight Handling | E | $6.02 |
| 2143 | Fruit Processing | D | $3.32 |
| 9620 | Funeral Directors - All Employees | C | $1.45 |
| 2883 | Furniture Manufacturing | D | $4.56 |
| 8293 | Furniture Moving & Storage, Drivers | E | $3.94 |
| 5146 | Furniture or Fixtures Installation - Portable NOC | D | $5.60 |
| 8044 | Furniture Store - Wholesale or Retail & Drivers | C | $2.28 |
| 7590 | Garbage/Ash Collection | F | $8.09 |
| 2913 | Glass Manufacturing | E | $6.23 |
| 2915 | Glass Merchant | D | $4.36 |
| 5462 | Glazier | E | $7.06 |
| 9056 | Golf Club | C | $2.07 |
| 8811 | Government Clerical | A | $0.18 |
| 8304 | Grain Elevator | E | $5.81 |
| 2041 | Grain Milling | D | $3.74 |
| 8006 | Grocery Store - Retail | C | $2.07 |
| 9585 | Hair Salon | B | $1.04 |
| 8010 | Hardware Store - Wholesale or Retail | C | $2.16 |
| 5137 | Heating Equipment Installation | D | $4.77 |
| 5185 | Heating System Installation | D | $4.56 |
| 5537 | Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | E | $4.77 |
| 8851 | Home for Aged - All | D | $4.36 |
| 8835 | Home Health Care Services | C | $3.44 |
| 9040 | Hospital - All Other Employees | B | $4.56 |
| 8833 | Hospital - Professional Employees | C | $2.37 |
| 9058 | Hotel - Restaurant Employees | C | $2.91 |
| 9052 | Hotel NOC - All Other Employees & Drivers | C | $3.03 |
| 9529 | House Cleaning | C | $2.70 |
| 9033 | Housing Authority | B | $1.24 |
| 2039 | Ice Cream Manufacturing | C | $2.91 |
| 8215 | Ice Dealer | C | $2.49 |
| 8203 | Ice Manufacturing | D | $3.74 |
| 5479 | Insulation Work | E | $6.23 |
| 8845 | Investigator/Detective | C | $1.87 |
| 8840 | Investment Company | A | $0.12 |
| 5038 | Iron Doors/Gates Installation | F | $12.04 |
| 5057 | Iron or Steel Erection - NOC | G | $14.32 |
| 5102 | Iron or Steel Erection - Structural | G | $15.35 |
| 5069 | Iron/Steel - NOC | G | $17.43 |
| 5059 | Iron/Steel - Ornamental | F | $10.17 |
| 5040 | Iron/Steel Erection - Frame | G | $20.33 |
| 8106 | Iron/Steel Merchant | D | $4.56 |
| 6229 | Irrigation Works - All Operations | E | $5.40 |
| 9014 | Janitorial Services - By Contractor | C | $3.53 |
| 8013 | Jewelry Store | B | $0.71 |
| 8263 | Junk Dealer | D | $4.56 |
| 0917 | Landscape Gardening - NOC | D | $4.36 |
| 5443 | Lathing | E | $7.26 |
| 2660 | Laundry NOC | C | $2.91 |
| 2586 | Leather Goods Manufacturing | C | $2.49 |
| 9034 | Library - All Employees | A | $0.54 |
| 7716 | Lifeguards | D | $3.11 |
| 7317 | Longshore Workers | G | $15.77 |
| 8061 | Lumber Dealer | D | $4.77 |
| 3632 | Machine Shop NOC | D | $3.94 |
| 3030 | Machinery Manufacturing | D | $4.56 |
| 3685 | Machinist NOC | D | $4.23 |
| 7327 | Marine Transportation | F | $10.38 |
| 5029 | Masonry - Decorative | E | $7.89 |
| 5027 | Masonry - Fireproof | F | $9.13 |
| 5028 | Masonry - Stone | F | $10.58 |
| 5022 | Masonry NOC | F | $8.72 |
| 8031 | Meat Market - Retail | C | $2.28 |
| 2001 | Meat Packing | F | $7.26 |
| 8033 | Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - Retail | C | $2.70 |
| 8021 | Meat, Fish or Poultry Dealer - Wholesale | C | $2.07 |
| 8838 | Medical Lab | B | $0.62 |
| 7360 | Messenger Service | C | $2.91 |
| 3581 | Metal Stamping - NOC | E | $5.10 |
| 9410 | Municipal, Township, County or State Employees - NOC | C | $2.91 |
| 9587 | Nail Salon | B | $0.83 |
| 8860 | Newspaper - Delivery | C | $3.11 |
| 8869 | Newspaper or Magazine Publishing - All Employees | B | $0.29 |
| 8807 | Newspaper Publishing | B | $0.71 |
| 0042 | Nursery Employees | E | $5.19 |
| 9046 | Nursing - Home/Visiting | D | $4.77 |
| 9049 | Nursing Home - All | D | $4.56 |
| 8829 | Nursing Home - All Employees | C | $4.36 |
| 5191 | Office Machine Installation, Inspection, Adjustment, or Repair | E | $3.53 |
| 8825 | Optometry Office | A | $0.33 |
| 8742 | Outside Sales Personnel | B | $0.46 |
| 8055 | Packaging - Contract - Retail Size Packages | C | $2.07 |
| 8037 | Paint Store | B | $0.83 |
| 5474 | Painting NOC & Shop Operations, Drivers | E | $6.23 |
| 7721 | Park Rangers | D | $2.91 |
| 8821 | Patent/Copyright Attorney | A | $0.17 |
| 4361 | Pest Control Services | D | $3.74 |
| 9549 | Pet Grooming | C | $1.45 |
| 8099 | Pet Store | B | $0.95 |
| 8846 | Pharmaceutical Sales | B | $0.46 |
| 8839 | Pharmacy - Retail | B | $0.75 |
| 7600 | Phone/Telegraph Installation | E | $5.81 |
| 8832 | Physician & Clerical | B | $0.37 |
| 2110 | Pickle Manufacturing | C | $2.37 |
| 7313 | Pier/Wharf Operation | F | $9.34 |
| 5480 | Plastering NOC | E | $6.02 |
| 8111 | Plumber - Commercial | E | $4.98 |
| 5183 | Plumbing NOC | E | $5.60 |
| 7723 | Police Officers - Mounted | F | $8.92 |
| 7720 | Police Officers and Drivers | D | $4.77 |
| 8816 | Post Office | C | $2.28 |
| 2002 | Poultry Processing | F | $7.06 |
| 3076 | Printing - Offset or Digital | D | $2.57 |
| 8843 | Psychiatric Hospital | D | $3.74 |
| 8015 | Quick Printing | B | $0.83 |
| 8857 | Radio Station - Clerical | A | $0.15 |
| 7610 | Radio/TV Broadcasting | B | $1.04 |
| 7855 | Railroad Operation | E | $6.23 |
| 8856 | Real Estate Agency - All Employees | C | $1.00 |
| 8817 | Real Estate Management | B | $1.04 |
| 9077 | Recreation Center | C | $2.07 |
| 3060 | Refrigerator Manufacturing | D | $3.94 |
| 8849 | Research Lab - Analytical | B | $0.91 |
| 9079 | Restaurant - Fast Food | C | $2.70 |
| 9083 | Restaurant - Fast Food - Including Delivery | D | $3.40 |
| 9082 | Restaurant NOC | D | $3.11 |
| 8045 | Retail Store - Cannabis/Dispensary | C | $1.78 |
| 8017 | Retail Store NOC | C | $1.74 |
| 5551 | Roofing - All Employees | G | $20.75 |
| 5606 | Roofing Contractor | G | $18.68 |
| 7724 | Sanitation Workers | F | $7.06 |
| 9101 | School - All Employees | B | $1.54 |
| 9008 | Schools - Vocational | C | $2.28 |
| 9060 | Senior Center | B | $1.45 |
| 5538 | Sheet Metal Work - HVAC Ductwork | E | $5.64 |
| 8090 | Shoe Store | A | $0.46 |
| 5119 | Siding Installation | E | $6.23 |
| 9554 | Sign Installation, Maintenance, Repair, Removal or Replacement NOC - Away From Shop & Drivers | F | $6.85 |
| 9072 | Skating Rink | C | $2.28 |
| 8864 | Social Services Organization | B | $1.04 |
| 2105 | Soft Drink Manufacturing | C | $2.28 |
| 8078 | Sporting Goods Store | B | $1.04 |
| 8279 | Stable/Riding Academy | D | $4.36 |
| 7309 | Stevedoring | G | $15.35 |
| 5506 | Street/Road Construction | F | $9.75 |
| 5507 | Street/Road Construction - Clearing | F | $8.30 |
| 8804 | Substance Use Disorder Recovery Homes | C | $3.74 |
| 2021 | Sugar Manufacturing | D | $3.53 |
| 5223 | Swimming Pool Construction | F | $7.68 |
| 9064 | Swimming Pool Operation | C | $2.28 |
| 2623 | Tanning | D | $4.56 |
| 7370 | Taxi/Rideshare | D | $5.60 |
| 7390 | Taxicab Company - All Employees | D | $6.47 |
| 8814 | Telephone Company - Clerical | A | $0.15 |
| 5037 | Tile Roofing | G | $18.26 |
| 2121 | Tobacco Manufacturing | C | $2.07 |
| 7229 | Trucking - Hazmat | G | $12.24 |
| 7228 | Trucking - Local Hauling Only | D | $7.26 |
| 7219 | Trucking - Long Haul | E | $9.55 |
| 7232 | Trucking - Mail, Parcel or Package Delivery - Under Contract With USPS | F | $8.72 |
| 7231 | Trucking - Mail, Parcel, or Package Delivery | D | $7.55 |
| 7202 | Trucking - NOC | E | $7.89 |
| 7227 | Trucking - Refrigerated | E | $8.51 |
| 8847 | Trust Company | A | $0.12 |
| 9522 | Upholstery | C | $2.28 |
| 9068 | Veterans Home | D | $3.53 |
| 8842 | Veterinary Office - All Employees | C | $0.91 |
| 5180 | Water Main Construction | F | $9.96 |
| 3365 | Welding or Cutting NOC | E | $6.85 |
| 8018 | Wholesale Store NOC | C | $1.99 |
| 5196 | Wiring - Fire Detection Systems | D | $3.94 |
| 2841 | Woodworking NOC | D | $4.77 |
| 2286 | Wool Processing | C | $2.61 |
| 8802 | Writer/Author | A | $0.17 |
| 2220 | Yarn/Thread Manufacturing | C | $2.49 |
| 9063 | YMCA, YWCA, or Health Club - All Employees | C | $2.37 |
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