Workers comp rates for code 9078: Restaurant, Fast Food
NCCI class code 9078 covers Restaurant, Fast Food in the restaurant industry. The median rate across 2 states is $3.69 per $100 payroll. Rates range from $1.54 in Alaska to $3.69 in New Jersey.
Also known as: Fast Food Restaurant · Quick Service Restaurant
Cheapest 2 states for code 9078
- Alaska $1.54
- New Jersey $3.69
Most expensive 2 states
- New Jersey $3.69
- Alaska $1.54
What does NCCI class code 9078 cover?
Class code 9078 classifies employees performing Restaurant, Fast Food, also known as Fast Food Restaurant, Quick Service Restaurant. The NCCI classification system groups occupations by similar workplace exposure, loss-experience patterns, and operational characteristics. Code 9078 falls within the restaurant industry group and is filed in 2 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 9078, 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 9078 vary so widely across states
The rate spread for code 9078 is 2.4× from cheapest to most expensive ($1.54 in Alaska to $3.69 in New Jersey). 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 9078 rate data
- Benchmark your carrier quote. A carrier quoting code 9078 above the $3.69 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 9078 at the same base can vary 30%+ on effective rate after these adjustments.
- Consider lower-rate states if locationally flexible. For code 9078, Alaska ($1.54) is 58% cheaper than New Jersey ($3.69). 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 9078 rates in all 2 states
What types of claims drive code 9078 rates?
Workers comp rate filings for code 9078 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 Restaurant, Fast Food, the top drivers are typically:
- Burns and lacerations from grills, fryers, and knives dominate kitchen claim frequency.
- Slips, trips, and falls on wet or greasy floors, particularly in BOH areas, are persistent claim drivers.
- Lifting strains from moving stock, ingredient cases, and dishwashing produce shoulder and back claims.
- Cumulative trauma for cooks and prep staff, repetitive knife and stovetop work, is a slower-developing claim type.
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 9078.
FAQs about NCCI 9078
What occupation is NCCI class code 9078?
Class code 9078 is "Restaurant, Fast Food" (also known as Fast Food Restaurant, Quick Service Restaurant), in the restaurant industry. The code is filed in 2 states.
What is the average workers comp rate for code 9078?
The median rate across 2 states is $3.69 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $1.54 (Alaska) to $3.69 (New Jersey).
Why does code 9078 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.