Construction workers compensation in Arkansas
Construction businesses in Arkansas pay a median rate of $2.41 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.300 to $9.01. The national median for Construction is $2.26, so Arkansas sits 7% above the national average. 83 unique NCCI class codes are filed in this state for Construction occupations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Top Construction class codes in Arkansas
The class codes most likely to apply to a Construction operation in Arkansas, sorted from cheapest to most expensive per $100 of payroll. Click into any code for the full state-by-state rate comparison.
| Code | Occupation | Rate per $100 | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7335 | Railroad - Construction/Maintenance | $0.490 | HIGH |
| 6252 | Shaft Sinking | $0.610 | HIGH |
| 5191 | Plumbing - Commercial/Industrial | $0.630 | HIGH |
| 4024 | Concrete Construction | $0.640 | HIGH |
| 6251 | Tunneling | $0.700 | HIGH |
| 4828 | Oil & Gas Pipeline Construction | $1.08 | HIGH |
| 4902 | Waterproofing Contractor | $1.14 | HIGH |
| 5160 | Elevator Erection or Repair | $1.16 | HIGH |
| 5190 | Electrical Wiring | $1.56 | HIGH |
| 5192 | Plumbing - Residential/Domestic | $1.71 | HIGH |
Arkansas compliance for Construction employers
Coverage threshold
Employers with 3 or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.
1099 vs W-2 in Construction
Workers are generally presumed to be employees unless they meet specific criteria for independent contractor status, which can lead to reclassification and WC liability.
Owner exclusion
Allowed in Arkansas. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.
Max weekly benefit
$953 at 66.67% of average weekly wage, effective 2026-01-01.
Statute of limitations
2 years from injury date in Arkansas.
Audit window
Arkansas carriers audit payroll within 90 days of policy expiration. Keep Construction payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.
Cross-cite: full Arkansas workers comp overview · Construction cross-state rate comparison · Arkansas workers comp lawyer guide · Arkansas settlement chart
Estimate your Construction premium in Arkansas
Pre-filled to Construction and Arkansas. Adjust payroll to see a real premium range from filed rates.
Estimate your workers comp premium
Pick your industry, state, and annual payroll. Range comes from real rate filings.
Estimated annual premium for Construction in Arkansas
$1,500to$45,050
Median: $12,050 · Rate range $0.300 to $9.01 per $100 payroll
Industry median across all states
$11,300
Cheapest states for Construction
- Utah $0.780
- Washington $1.13
- Kansas $1.21
Most expensive
- New Jersey $6.95
- Illinois $5.01
- New York $4.84
Estimate based on 24 states of rate-filing data. Actual premium also reflects experience modifier, schedule credits, and carrier underwriting.
Filing checklist for Construction businesses in Arkansas
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
Employers with 3 or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance. For Construction operations, this typically applies once you make a first W-2 hire, even part-time.
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Step 2, Pick the right class code
Construction businesses typically use codes like 7335, 6251, 6252. The wrong code can cost 4 to 10x more or get reclassified at audit. In Arkansas, the cheapest code on this list is 7335 at $0.490 and the most expensive is 5192 at $1.71.
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Step 3, Get a quote
Private carriers write Construction coverage in Arkansas. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Document subcontractors
A general contractor can be held liable for the workers' compensation benefits of an uninsured subcontractor's employees. Construction operators with crews of 1099s should keep certificates of insurance for every sub, otherwise the GC absorbs the sub liability at audit.
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Step 5, Annual audit
Carriers audit payroll within 90 days of policy expiration. Have payroll segregated by class code, job descriptions on file, and overtime properly excluded from rated payroll. Construction class allocation can shift if any worker spends more than 50% of time on a different code.
Construction workers comp FAQs in Arkansas
What is the typical workers comp rate for Construction in Arkansas?
Construction employers in Arkansas pay a median rate of $2.41 per $100 of payroll, with rates ranging from $0.300 to $9.01 depending on the specific class code. The national median across all states for Construction is $2.26, so Arkansas sits about 7% above the national average.
How many Construction class codes are filed in Arkansas?
Arkansas has 83 unique NCCI class codes filed for Construction occupations, drawn from 87 state-class code rate cells in our dataset. The most common codes include 7335 (Railroad - Construction/Maintenance), 6251 (Tunneling), 6252 (Shaft Sinking).
Are Construction 1099 contractors covered by workers comp in Arkansas?
Workers are generally presumed to be employees unless they meet specific criteria for independent contractor status, which can lead to reclassification and WC liability.
What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Construction worker in Arkansas?
Arkansas caps weekly workers comp benefits at $953 (effective 2026-01-01), calculated as 66.67% of the average weekly wage. Construction workers are subject to the same statutory cap as workers in any other industry.
How long does a Construction worker have to file a comp claim in Arkansas?
The statute of limitations in Arkansas is 2 years from the date of injury. Most claims also require notice to the employer within 30 days. Construction workers should report any incident on the date it happens, even minor strains, because cumulative trauma claims can fail without contemporaneous documentation.
Can a Construction business owner exclude themselves from comp coverage in Arkansas?
Yes, Arkansas allows business owners (sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, corporate officers) to file an exclusion election. Construction owner-operators often elect out to keep premium below the minimum. Sole-proprietor self-coverage is not required, and LLC member self-coverage is not required.