Manufacturing workers compensation in Pennsylvania
Manufacturing businesses in Pennsylvania pay a median rate of $2.48 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.056 to $17.58. The national median for Manufacturing is $1.46, so Pennsylvania sits 70% above the national average. 273 unique NCCI class codes are filed in this state for Manufacturing occupations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Top Manufacturing class codes in Pennsylvania
The class codes most likely to apply to a Manufacturing operation in Pennsylvania, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2660 | Chemical Mfg. - Soap, Detergent | $3.10 | HIGH |
| 2501 | Clothing Manufacturing | $3.53 | HIGH |
| 2759 | Set-Up Paper Box Mfg. | $4.21 | HIGH |
| 2111 | Malt House Operation | $4.62 | HIGH |
| 6872 F | Ship Building | $17.58 | HIGH |
| 2962 | Milk Dealers | $0.056 | HIGH |
| 2956 | Cider Manufacturing | $0.075 | HIGH |
| 2905 | Excelsior Manufacturing | $0.092 | HIGH |
| 2984 | Seafood Processing | $0.139 | HIGH |
| 2953 | Brewing Operations | $0.181 | HIGH |
Pennsylvania compliance for Manufacturing employers
Coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.
1099 vs W-2 in Manufacturing
Pennsylvania uses a 'right to control' test and other factors to determine if a worker is an employee or independent contractor; misclassification can lead to penalties.
Owner exclusion
Allowed in Pennsylvania. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.
Max weekly benefit
$1,347 at 66.67% of average weekly wage, effective 2025-01-01.
Statute of limitations
3 years from injury date in Pennsylvania.
Audit window
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania workers comp overview · Manufacturing cross-state rate comparison · Pennsylvania workers comp lawyer guide · Pennsylvania settlement chart
Estimate your Manufacturing premium in Pennsylvania
Pre-filled to Manufacturing and Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania
$280to$87,900
Median: $12,425 · Rate range $0.056 to $17.58 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 Pennsylvania
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
All 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 Pennsylvania, the cheapest code on this list is 2660 at $3.10 and the most expensive is 2953 at $0.181.
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Step 3, Get a quote
State Workers' Insurance Fund is one option in Pennsylvania; 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 or they may be held liable for 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 Pennsylvania
What is the typical workers comp rate for Manufacturing in Pennsylvania?
Manufacturing employers in Pennsylvania pay a median rate of $2.48 per $100 of payroll, with rates ranging from $0.056 to $17.58 depending on the specific class code. The national median across all states for Manufacturing is $1.46, so Pennsylvania sits about 70% above the national average.
How many Manufacturing class codes are filed in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has 273 unique NCCI class codes filed for Manufacturing occupations, drawn from 273 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania uses a 'right to control' test and other factors to determine if a worker is an employee or independent contractor; misclassification can lead to penalties.
What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Manufacturing worker in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania caps weekly workers comp benefits at $1,347 (effective 2025-01-01), 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 Pennsylvania?
The statute of limitations in Pennsylvania is 3 years 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 Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania 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.