Manufacturing workers compensation in California
Manufacturing businesses in California pay a median rate of $4.74 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.140 to $19.12. The national median for Manufacturing is $1.46, so California sits 225% above the national average. 161 unique NCCI class codes are filed in this state for Manufacturing occupations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Top Manufacturing class codes in California
The class codes most likely to apply to a Manufacturing operation in California, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4470 | Textile Weaving Mills | $2.79 | HIGH |
| 1701 | Cement Manufacturing | $3.57 | HIGH |
| 1710 | Stone Cutting or Polishing | $4.02 | HIGH |
| 3365 | Metal Plating & Finishing | $4.94 | HIGH |
| 2501 | Clothing Manufacturing | $5.55 | HIGH |
| 2111 | Malt House Operation | $5.74 | HIGH |
| 2759 | Set-Up Paper Box Mfg. | $6.50 | HIGH |
| 1803 | Plaster/Plaster Board Mfg. | $8.20 | HIGH |
| 3085 | Aircraft Mfg. | $12.60 | HIGH |
| 3082 | Truck, Trailer or Bus Mfg. | $12.94 | HIGH |
California compliance for Manufacturing employers
Coverage threshold
Employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.
1099 vs W-2 in Manufacturing
California's AB 5 (ABC test) makes it difficult to classify workers as independent contractors (1099); misclassification can lead to significant penalties and workers' compensation liability.
Owner exclusion
Allowed in California. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.
Max weekly benefit
$1,764 at 66.67% of average weekly wage, effective 2026-01-01.
Statute of limitations
1 year from injury date in California.
Audit window
California carriers audit payroll within 90 days of policy expiration. Keep Manufacturing payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.
Cross-cite: full California workers comp overview · Manufacturing cross-state rate comparison · California workers comp lawyer guide · California settlement chart
Estimate your Manufacturing premium in California
Pre-filled to Manufacturing and California. 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 Manufacturing in California
$700to$95,600
Median: $23,700 · Rate range $0.140 to $19.12 per $100 payroll
Industry median across all states
$7,300
Cheapest states for Manufacturing
- Utah $0.490
- Kentucky $0.940
- Virginia $0.950
Most expensive
- California $4.74
- New Jersey $3.56
- Hawaii $2.94
Estimate based on 24 states of rate-filing data. Actual premium also reflects experience modifier, schedule credits, and carrier underwriting.
Filing checklist for Manufacturing businesses in California
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
Employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. For Manufacturing 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
Manufacturing businesses typically use codes like 6872, 3081, 3085. The wrong code can cost 4 to 10x more or get reclassified at audit. In California, the cheapest code on this list is 4470 at $2.79 and the most expensive is 3082 at $12.94.
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Step 3, Get a quote
State Compensation Insurance Fund is one option in California; private carriers (Travelers, Hartford, Liberty Mutual, AmTrust) also write coverage. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Document subcontractors
General contractors are responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation insurance; otherwise, the general contractor may be liable for injuries to the subcontractor's employees. Manufacturing 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. Manufacturing class allocation can shift if any worker spends more than 50% of time on a different code.
Manufacturing workers comp FAQs in California
What is the typical workers comp rate for Manufacturing in California?
Manufacturing employers in California pay a median rate of $4.74 per $100 of payroll, with rates ranging from $0.140 to $19.12 depending on the specific class code. The national median across all states for Manufacturing is $1.46, so California sits about 225% above the national average.
How many Manufacturing class codes are filed in California?
California has 161 unique NCCI class codes filed for Manufacturing occupations, drawn from 161 state-class code rate cells in our dataset. The most common codes include 6872 (Ship Building), 3081 (Automobile Mfg.), 3085 (Aircraft Mfg.).
Are Manufacturing 1099 contractors covered by workers comp in California?
California's AB 5 (ABC test) makes it difficult to classify workers as independent contractors (1099); misclassification can lead to significant penalties and workers' compensation liability.
What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Manufacturing worker in California?
California caps weekly workers comp benefits at $1,764 (effective 2026-01-01), calculated as 66.67% of the average weekly wage. Manufacturing workers are subject to the same statutory cap as workers in any other industry.
How long does a Manufacturing worker have to file a comp claim in California?
The statute of limitations in California is 1 year from the date of injury. Most claims also require notice to the employer within 30 days. Manufacturing workers should report any incident on the date it happens, even minor strains, because cumulative trauma claims can fail without contemporaneous documentation.
Can a Manufacturing business owner exclude themselves from comp coverage in California?
Yes, California allows business owners (sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, corporate officers) to file an exclusion election. Manufacturing 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.