Workers comp rates for code 8723: Furniture Salespersons
NCCI class code 8723 covers Furniture Salespersons in the retail industry. The median rate across 18 states is $0.070 per $100 payroll. Rates range from $0.020 in Utah to $0.130 in Nevada.
Also known as: Furniture Store Staff · Home Furnishings Sales
What does NCCI class code 8723 cover?
Class code 8723 classifies employees performing Furniture Salespersons, also known as Furniture Store Staff, Home Furnishings Sales. The NCCI classification system groups occupations by similar workplace exposure, loss-experience patterns, and operational characteristics. Code 8723 falls within the retail industry group and is filed in 18 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 8723, 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 8723 vary so widely across states
The rate spread for code 8723 is 6.5× from cheapest to most expensive ($0.020 in Utah to $0.130 in Nevada). 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 8723 rate data
- Benchmark your carrier quote. A carrier quoting code 8723 above the $0.090 75th-percentile rate is asking for a premium-rated quote, push back or get a second quote.
- 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.
- Calculate your effective rate. Effective rate = base rate × EMR ± schedule credit/debit ± deductible loading. Two carriers quoting code 8723 at the same base can vary 30%+ on effective rate after these adjustments.
- Consider lower-rate states if locationally flexible. For code 8723, Utah ($0.020) is 85% cheaper than Nevada ($0.130). 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.
- 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 8723 rates in all 18 states
| State | Code | Rate per $100 | vs peers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 8723 | $0.020 | 6% | view |
| Kansas | 8723 | $0.030 | 11% | view |
| Kentucky | 8723 | $0.040 | 22% | view |
| Oregon | 8723 | $0.040 | 22% | view |
| Maryland | 8723 | $0.050 | 33% | view |
| Tennessee | 8723 | $0.050 | 33% | view |
| Illinois | 8723 | $0.051 | 39% | view |
| New York | 8723 | $0.056 | 44% | view |
| Arkansas | 8723 | $0.060 | 50% | view |
| Minnesota | 8723 | $0.070 | 61% | view |
| Rhode Island | 8723 | $0.070 | 61% | view |
| Alabama | 8723 | $0.080 | 72% | view |
| Oklahoma | 8723 | $0.080 | 72% | view |
| Indiana | 8723 | $0.090 | 78% | view |
| Alaska | 8723 | $0.110 | 89% | view |
| Louisiana | 8723 | $0.110 | 89% | view |
| Hawaii | 8723 | $0.120 | 94% | view |
| Nevada | 8723 | $0.130 | 100% | view |
Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive)
What types of claims drive code 8723 rates?
Workers comp rate filings for code 8723 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 Furniture Salespersons, the top drivers are typically:
- Slips, trips, and falls in customer aisles and stockrooms drive most retail claim frequency.
- Lifting strain from stocking shelves and unloading produces ongoing musculoskeletal claims.
- Cuts and bruises from box-cutters, broken glass, and equipment misuse contribute steady frequency.
- Workplace violence, robberies and customer aggression, varies by location and operating hours.
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 8723.
FAQs about NCCI 8723
What occupation is NCCI class code 8723?
Class code 8723 is "Furniture Salespersons" (also known as Furniture Store Staff, Home Furnishings Sales), in the retail industry. The code is filed in 18 states.
What is the average workers comp rate for code 8723?
The median rate across 18 states is $0.070 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.020 (Utah) to $0.130 (Nevada).
Why does code 8723 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.