Workers’ Comp Premium Calculator

Estimate your annual workers’ compensation premium using the same basic formula insurers use: payroll ÷ 100 × class code rate × Experience Modification Rate (EMR), plus any adjustments and fees. Add one line for each class code your business uses. For example, office staff and field workers are usually rated separately.

1. Payroll and rate for each class code

Enter the annual payroll for employees in each classification and the rate per $100 of payroll for that class code in your state. Your agent or a quote will show this rate; see “Where to find your rate” below.

2. Adjustments

Experience Modification Rate (EMR)

Use 1.00 if your business is new or too small to be experience-rated.

Schedule credit (−) or debit (+), %

Optional discretionary adjustment an underwriter may apply. Leave at 0 if unsure.

Expense constant / policy fee ($)

Flat fee some carriers add. Often a few hundred dollars; leave 0 if unknown.

Minimum premium ($, optional)

Carriers charge at least a minimum premium, even for very small payrolls.

Estimated annual premium

≈ $0 per month

How your EMR changes the same policy

Same payroll and rates, different claims history. A lower EMR (fewer or smaller past claims) lowers the premium; a higher one raises it.

This calculator gives an estimate, not a quote. It runs entirely in your browser and does not store or send the numbers you enter.

How the calculation works

Manual premium. For each class code: annual payroll ÷ 100 × the rate for that class. Example: $200,000 of office payroll at a rate of $0.30 = $600.
Experience modification. The manual premium is multiplied by your EMR. An EMR of 0.90 cuts the premium by 10%; 1.25 raises it by 25%. New and very small businesses usually start at 1.00.
Schedule rating. Some carriers apply a discretionary credit or debit based on safety programs, experience in the industry or workplace conditions.
Fees and minimums. Carriers may add an expense constant and charge a minimum premium, which matters most for very small payrolls.

For a deeper explanation, read how workers’ comp premiums are calculated and what an EMR is and why it matters.

Where to find your rate

Your class code: use NCCI’s Class Look-Up or ask your agent. California uses its own classification system, published by the WCIRB.
The rate for your class: rates are set per state and per insurer. The most reliable number is the one on a quote or on your current policy’s declarations page.
Your EMR: it appears on your experience rating worksheet, which your agent or insurer can provide. If you don’t have one, use 1.00.
Monopolistic states (Ohio, North Dakota, Washington and Wyoming) sell coverage only through a state fund, and Washington calculates premiums by hours worked rather than payroll, so this calculator is less precise there. See the 50-state comparison table.

Why your real quote may differ

Payroll caps or special rules for owners, officers and partners in some states.
Premium discounts for larger policies, state-specific surcharges and assessments, and terrorism or catastrophe charges.
Installment fees if you pay monthly, or a different structure if you use pay-as-you-go billing.
Your final premium is adjusted after the policy ends, based on a payroll audit of what you actually paid.

Sources & official resources

U.S. Department of Labor – State Workers’ Compensation Officials directory

Last verified: September 30, 2026. This tool and page are for general educational purposes only and do not constitute insurance, legal or financial advice. For an actual price, request a quote from a licensed insurance agent or carrier.