NCCI · 22 states

Workers comp rates for code 9402: Library Operation

NCCI class code 9402 covers Library Operation in the education industry. The median rate across 22 states is $2.47 per $100 payroll. Rates range from $1.26 in Kansas to $5.15 in New Jersey.

Also known as: Public Libraries · Academic Libraries

Cheapest 5 states for code 9402

  1. Kansas $1.26
  2. Utah $1.43
  3. Tennessee $1.50
  4. Virginia $1.60
  5. Kentucky $1.64

Most expensive 5 states

  1. New Jersey $5.15
  2. Alabama $4.16
  3. Minnesota $4.13
  4. Illinois $4.11
  5. California $3.91

What does NCCI class code 9402 cover?

Class code 9402 classifies employees performing Library Operation, also known as Public Libraries, Academic Libraries. The NCCI classification system groups occupations by similar workplace exposure, loss-experience patterns, and operational characteristics. Code 9402 falls within the education 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 9402, 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 9402 vary so widely across states

The rate spread for code 9402 is 4.1× from cheapest to most expensive ($1.26 in Kansas to $5.15 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 9402 rate data

  1. Benchmark your carrier quote. A carrier quoting code 9402 above the $3.56 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 9402 at the same base can vary 30%+ on effective rate after these adjustments.
  4. Consider lower-rate states if locationally flexible. For code 9402, Kansas ($1.26) is 76% cheaper than New Jersey ($5.15). 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 9402 rates in all 22 states

State Code Rate per $100 vs peers Source
Kansas 9402 $1.26 5% view
Utah 9402 $1.43 9% view
Tennessee 9402 $1.50 14% view
Virginia 9402 $1.60 18% view
Kentucky 9402 $1.64 23% view
Michigan 9402 $1.72 27% view
Maryland 9402 $2.21 32% view
Oregon 9402 $2.33 36% view
Alaska 9402 $2.37 41% view
Indiana 9402 $2.43 45% view
Oklahoma 9402 $2.44 50% view
Hawaii 9402 $2.47 55% view
Louisiana 9402 $2.71 59% view
New York 9402 $3.14 64% view
Arkansas 9402 $3.17 68% view
Rhode Island 9402 $3.46 73% view
Nevada 9402 $3.56 77% view
California 9402 $3.91 82% view
Illinois 9402 $4.11 86% view
Minnesota 9402 $4.13 91% view
Alabama 9402 $4.16 95% view
New Jersey 9402 $5.15 100% view

Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive)

What types of claims drive code 9402 rates?

Workers comp rate filings for code 9402 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 Library Operation, the top drivers are typically:

  • Musculoskeletal strain, lifting, twisting, and repetitive motion, is the most-common claim type across occupations.
  • Slips, trips, and falls on workplace surfaces account for 15-25% of typical workplace injuries.
  • Struck-by objects, falling and moving items, produce significant medical-only and indemnity claims.
  • Cumulative trauma conditions develop over years and produce long-tail claim costs in many occupations.

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 9402.

FAQs about NCCI 9402

What occupation is NCCI class code 9402?

Class code 9402 is "Library Operation" (also known as Public Libraries, Academic Libraries), in the education industry. The code is filed in 22 states.

What is the average workers comp rate for code 9402?

The median rate across 22 states is $2.47 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $1.26 (Kansas) to $5.15 (New Jersey).

Why does code 9402 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.