Construction workers compensation in New Jersey
Construction businesses in New Jersey pay a median rate of $6.95 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.440 to $31.99. The national median for Construction is $2.26, so New Jersey sits 208% above the national average. 81 unique NCCI class codes are filed in this state for Construction occupations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Top Construction class codes in New Jersey
The class codes most likely to apply to a Construction operation in New Jersey, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5191 | Plumbing - Commercial/Industrial | $1.53 | HIGH |
| 4828 | Oil & Gas Pipeline Construction | $2.45 | HIGH |
| 4902 | Waterproofing Contractor | $2.95 | HIGH |
| 5160 | Elevator Erection or Repair | $3.91 | HIGH |
| 5192 | Plumbing - Residential/Domestic | $3.92 | HIGH |
| 5190 | Electrical Wiring | $4.01 | HIGH |
| 4024 | Concrete Construction | $4.05 | HIGH |
| 5183 | Plumbing | $5.00 | HIGH |
| 6252 | Shaft Sinking | $5.22 | HIGH |
| 6251 | Tunneling | $5.33 | HIGH |
New Jersey compliance for Construction employers
Coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation insurance.
1099 vs W-2 in Construction
New Jersey uses a strict 'ABC test' to determine if a worker is an independent contractor or an employee.
Owner exclusion
Allowed in New Jersey. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.
Max weekly benefit
$1,159 at 70% of average weekly wage, effective 2025-01-01.
Statute of limitations
2 years from injury date in New Jersey.
Audit window
New Jersey 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 New Jersey workers comp overview · Construction cross-state rate comparison · New Jersey workers comp lawyer guide · New Jersey settlement chart
Estimate your Construction premium in New Jersey
Pre-filled to Construction and New Jersey. 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 New Jersey
$2,200to$159,950
Median: $34,750 · Rate range $0.440 to $31.99 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 New Jersey
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must provide 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 New Jersey, the cheapest code on this list is 5191 at $1.53 and the most expensive is 6251 at $5.33.
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Step 3, Get a quote
Private carriers write Construction coverage in New Jersey. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Document subcontractors
General contractors are liable for the workers' compensation benefits of employees of an uninsured subcontractor. 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 New Jersey
What is the typical workers comp rate for Construction in New Jersey?
Construction employers in New Jersey pay a median rate of $6.95 per $100 of payroll, with rates ranging from $0.440 to $31.99 depending on the specific class code. The national median across all states for Construction is $2.26, so New Jersey sits about 208% above the national average.
How many Construction class codes are filed in New Jersey?
New Jersey has 81 unique NCCI class codes filed for Construction occupations, drawn from 81 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey uses a strict 'ABC test' to determine if a worker is an independent contractor or an employee.
What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Construction worker in New Jersey?
New Jersey caps weekly workers comp benefits at $1,159 (effective 2025-01-01), calculated as 70% 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 New Jersey?
The statute of limitations in New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
Yes, New Jersey 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.