NCCI · 22 states

Workers comp rates for code 4829: Oil & Gas Pipeline Operation

NCCI class code 4829 covers Oil & Gas Pipeline Operation in the transportation industry. The median rate across 22 states is $0.670 per $100 payroll. Rates range from $0.210 in Utah to $1.98 in California.

Also known as: Pipeline Operator · Gas Pipeline Management

Cheapest 5 states for code 4829

  1. Utah $0.210
  2. Kentucky $0.360
  3. Michigan $0.380
  4. Louisiana $0.400
  5. Kansas $0.430

Most expensive 5 states

  1. California $1.98
  2. New Jersey $1.66
  3. New York $1.24
  4. Hawaii $1.22
  5. Illinois $1.22

What does NCCI class code 4829 cover?

Class code 4829 classifies employees performing Oil & Gas Pipeline Operation, also known as Pipeline Operator, Gas Pipeline Management. The NCCI classification system groups occupations by similar workplace exposure, loss-experience patterns, and operational characteristics. Code 4829 falls within the transportation industry group and is filed in 22 states.

NCCI's governing classification rules state that a single-classification employer with at least 51% of payroll in this occupation generally classifies all employees under code 4829, with two standard exceptions: clerical office work (segregated payroll records required, reported under code 8810) and outside sales / collectors (code 8742). If your operation has multiple distinct activities, ask your underwriter about a multi-class split before accepting a single-code rating.

Why rates for code 4829 vary so widely across states

The rate spread for code 4829 is 9.4× from cheapest to most expensive ($0.210 in Utah to $1.98 in California). This isn't randomness, it reflects each state's claim experience for the occupation over the most-recent 5-year window NCCI uses, medical inflation in that state's hospital/clinic market, indemnity (lost-wage) cost levels driven by state maximum weekly benefit caps, and rating-bureau methodology. Independent-bureau states (California's WCIRB, New York's NYCIRB, Pennsylvania's PCRB, New Jersey's NJCRIB, Massachusetts's WCRIBMA, Delaware's DCRB, Wisconsin's WCRB, North Carolina's NCRB, Texas's TDI) often diverge significantly from NCCI's national pure premium, sometimes by 30% or more on the same occupation. Monopolistic-fund states (Ohio, North Dakota, Washington, Wyoming) don't allow private carrier competition, so the state fund's pricing is the only available option.

How to use this code 4829 rate data

  1. Benchmark your carrier quote. A carrier quoting code 4829 above the $1.18 75th-percentile rate is asking for a premium-rated quote, push back or get a second quote.
  2. Identify the right state filing. Use the table below to find your state's filed rate. If your carrier is quoting at a higher rate, the difference is either schedule debit, EMR, deductible loading, or a state-fund surcharge, ask which.
  3. Calculate your effective rate. Effective rate = base rate × EMR ± schedule credit/debit ± deductible loading. Two carriers quoting code 4829 at the same base can vary 30%+ on effective rate after these adjustments.
  4. Consider lower-rate states if locationally flexible. For code 4829, Utah ($0.210) is 89% cheaper than California ($1.98). Multi-state employers split payroll by state-of-work, not state-of-headquarters, so locating the high-payroll site in a cheaper state directly lowers premium.
  5. Build a 3-year EMR strategy. A 0.85 EMR cuts base rate by 15%; the difference between 0.85 and 1.25 EMR on the same code is a 47% premium difference. Frequency control (preventing every claim, even small ones) drives EMR more than severity control.

Code 4829 rates in all 22 states

State Code Rate per $100 vs peers Source
Utah 4829 $0.210 5% view
Kentucky 4829 $0.360 9% view
Michigan 4829 $0.380 14% view
Louisiana 4829 $0.400 18% view
Kansas 4829 $0.430 27% view
Tennessee 4829 $0.430 27% view
Alabama 4829 $0.480 32% view
Oregon 4829 $0.530 36% view
Alaska 4829 $0.580 41% view
Maryland 4829 $0.610 45% view
Virginia 4829 $0.637 50% view
Oklahoma 4829 $0.670 55% view
Indiana 4829 $0.750 59% view
Minnesota 4829 $0.770 64% view
Arkansas 4829 $0.840 68% view
Nevada 4829 $1.14 73% view
Rhode Island 4829 $1.18 77% view
Illinois 4829 $1.22 82% view
Hawaii 4829 $1.22 86% view
New York 4829 $1.24 91% view
New Jersey 4829 $1.66 95% view
California 4829 $1.98 100% view

Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive)

What types of claims drive code 4829 rates?

Workers comp rate filings for code 4829 reflect what's actually happening on the job, not just generic occupation hazard. NCCI publishes loss-cost analyses showing which injury categories account for the bulk of indemnity (lost-wage) and medical claim cost. For Oil & Gas Pipeline Operation, the top drivers are typically:

  • Loading and unloading injuries, strain and crush from freight handling, are top frequency drivers.
  • Motor vehicle crashes produce high-severity claims that rate filings weight heavily.
  • Slips from cab entering or exiting trucks are a surprisingly costly category.
  • Cumulative trauma from long-haul seated driving produces back and shoulder claims.

Targeting these drivers in your safety program produces the largest EMR improvement. Frequency control (preventing every claim, including small medical-only incidents) drives the modifier more than severity control. A documented written safety program addressing the top two drivers above is typically the highest-ROI intervention for employers paying for code 4829.

FAQs about NCCI 4829

What occupation is NCCI class code 4829?

Class code 4829 is "Oil & Gas Pipeline Operation" (also known as Pipeline Operator, Gas Pipeline Management), in the transportation industry. The code is filed in 22 states.

What is the average workers comp rate for code 4829?

The median rate across 22 states is $0.670 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.210 (Utah) to $1.98 (California).

Why does code 4829 cost more in some states than others?

Workers comp rates reflect each state's loss experience for that occupation, the rating bureau's methodology (NCCI vs. independent), schedule rating credits, and the state's medical-cost inflation. Some states are monopolistic (only the state fund writes coverage) while others are open competitive markets.