Manufacturing workers compensation in Tennessee
Manufacturing businesses in Tennessee pay a median rate of $0.970 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.160 to $23.61. The national median for Manufacturing is $1.46, so Tennessee sits 34% below the national average. 217 unique NCCI class codes are filed in this state for Manufacturing occupations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Top Manufacturing class codes in Tennessee
The class codes most likely to apply to a Manufacturing operation in Tennessee, 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 | $0.740 | HIGH |
| 1710 | Stone Cutting or Polishing | $0.780 | HIGH |
| 4470 | Textile Weaving Mills | $0.860 | HIGH |
| 2111 | Malt House Operation | $0.870 | HIGH |
| 2501 | Clothing Manufacturing | $0.980 | HIGH |
| 3082 | Truck, Trailer or Bus Mfg. | $0.980 | HIGH |
| 1710 D | Stone Cutting or Polishing | $1.07 | HIGH |
| 3085 | Aircraft Mfg. | $1.13 | HIGH |
| 1701 | Cement Manufacturing | $1.21 | HIGH |
| 3082 D | Truck, Trailer or Bus Mfg. | $1.36 | HIGH |
Tennessee compliance for Manufacturing employers
Coverage threshold
Employers with 5 or more employees are generally required to carry workers' compensation insurance, with exceptions for certain industries.
1099 vs W-2 in Manufacturing
Workers are generally presumed to be employees unless they meet specific criteria for independent contractor status, often based on control and economic dependence.
Owner exclusion
Allowed in Tennessee. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.
Max weekly benefit
$1,427 at 66.67% of average weekly wage, effective 2025-07-01.
Statute of limitations
1 year from injury date in Tennessee.
Audit window
Tennessee 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 Tennessee workers comp overview · Manufacturing cross-state rate comparison · Tennessee workers comp lawyer guide · Tennessee settlement chart
Estimate your Manufacturing premium in Tennessee
Pre-filled to Manufacturing and Tennessee. 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 Tennessee
$800to$118,050
Median: $4,850 · Rate range $0.160 to $23.61 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 Tennessee
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
Employers with 5 or more employees are generally required to carry workers' compensation insurance, with exceptions for certain industries. 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 Tennessee, the cheapest code on this list is 2660 at $0.740 and the most expensive is 3082 D at $1.36.
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Step 3, Get a quote
Private carriers write Manufacturing coverage in Tennessee. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Document subcontractors
General contractors are generally liable for the workers' compensation coverage of uninsured subcontractors and their 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 Tennessee
What is the typical workers comp rate for Manufacturing in Tennessee?
Manufacturing employers in Tennessee pay a median rate of $0.970 per $100 of payroll, with rates ranging from $0.160 to $23.61 depending on the specific class code. The national median across all states for Manufacturing is $1.46, so Tennessee sits about 34% below the national average.
How many Manufacturing class codes are filed in Tennessee?
Tennessee has 217 unique NCCI class codes filed for Manufacturing occupations, drawn from 223 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 Tennessee?
Workers are generally presumed to be employees unless they meet specific criteria for independent contractor status, often based on control and economic dependence.
What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Manufacturing worker in Tennessee?
Tennessee caps weekly workers comp benefits at $1,427 (effective 2025-07-01), 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 Tennessee?
The statute of limitations in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee 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.