Manufacturing workers compensation in Washington
Manufacturing businesses in Washington pay a median rate of $1.20 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.243 to $3.52. The national median for Manufacturing is $1.46, so Washington sits 18% below the national average. 112 unique NCCI class codes are filed in this state for Manufacturing occupations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Top Manufacturing class codes in Washington
The class codes most likely to apply to a Manufacturing operation in Washington, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1701 | Cement Manufacturing | $1.87 | HIGH |
| 6801 | Boat Building - wood | $1.94 | HIGH |
| 5301 | Stone Cutting & Polishing | $0.243 | HIGH |
| 4909 | Leather Wallet or Handbag Manufacturing | $0.288 | HIGH |
| 4901 | Leather Tanning or Finishing | $0.289 | HIGH |
| 5306 | Iron & Steel Shop Work | $0.292 | HIGH |
| 5305 | Structural Steel Fabrication | $0.310 | HIGH |
| 4502 | Chemical Manufacturing, N.O.C. | $0.323 | HIGH |
| 4907 | Leather Belt Manufacturing | $0.324 | HIGH |
| 3602 | Machinery Manufacturing | $0.406 | HIGH |
Washington compliance for Manufacturing employers
Coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation coverage.
1099 vs W-2 in Manufacturing
Washington has strict criteria for independent contractor status; workers are presumed employees unless specific conditions are met, making misclassification a significant risk.
Owner exclusion
Allowed in Washington. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.
Max weekly benefit
$2,338 at 60% of average weekly wage, effective 2025-07-01.
Statute of limitations
1 year from injury date in Washington.
Audit window
Washington carriers audit payroll L&I can audit at any time to verify payroll and classification.. Keep Manufacturing payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.
Cross-cite: full Washington workers comp overview · Manufacturing cross-state rate comparison · Washington workers comp lawyer guide · Washington settlement chart
Estimate your Manufacturing premium in Washington
Pre-filled to Manufacturing and Washington. 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 Washington
$1,214to$17,609
Median: $6,016 · Rate range $0.243 to $3.52 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 Washington
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation coverage. 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 Washington, the cheapest code on this list is 1701 at $1.87 and the most expensive is 3602 at $0.406.
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Step 3, Get a quote
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is one option in Washington; 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 generally responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation coverage; 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 L&I can audit at any time to verify payroll and classification.. 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 Washington
What is the typical workers comp rate for Manufacturing in Washington?
Manufacturing employers in Washington pay a median rate of $1.20 per $100 of payroll, with rates ranging from $0.243 to $3.52 depending on the specific class code. The national median across all states for Manufacturing is $1.46, so Washington sits about 18% below the national average.
How many Manufacturing class codes are filed in Washington?
Washington has 112 unique NCCI class codes filed for Manufacturing occupations, drawn from 112 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 Washington?
Washington has strict criteria for independent contractor status; workers are presumed employees unless specific conditions are met, making misclassification a significant risk.
What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Manufacturing worker in Washington?
Washington caps weekly workers comp benefits at $2,338 (effective 2025-07-01), calculated as 60% 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 Washington?
The statute of limitations in Washington 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 Washington?
Yes, Washington 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.