Mining & Extraction workers compensation in California
Mining & Extraction businesses in California pay a median rate of $3.66 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $1.27 to $7.62. The national median for Mining & Extraction is $1.66, so California sits 120% above the national average. 13 unique NCCI class codes are filed in this state for Mining & Extraction occupations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Top Mining & Extraction class codes in California
The class codes most likely to apply to a Mining & Extraction 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1320 | Surface Metal Mining | $1.27 | HIGH |
| 1699 | Mining N.O.C. | $1.79 | HIGH |
| 1624 | Oil/Gas Wells - Drilling/Operation | $3.32 | HIGH |
| 4000 | Stone Crushing | $3.51 | HIGH |
| 1463 | Clay or Shale Digging | $3.66 | HIGH |
| 1322 | Metal Ore Milling or Concentrating | $4.27 | HIGH |
| 1438 | Stone Crushing | $5.42 | HIGH |
| 1122 | Oil or Gas Well Drilling | $2.48 | HIGH |
| 1330 | Non-Metal Mining | $2.53 | HIGH |
| 4049 | Stone Quarrying | $3.96 | HIGH |
California compliance for Mining & Extraction employers
Coverage threshold
Employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.
1099 vs W-2 in Mining & Extraction
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 Mining & Extraction payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.
Cross-cite: full California workers comp overview · Mining & Extraction cross-state rate comparison · California workers comp lawyer guide · California settlement chart
Estimate your Mining & Extraction premium in California
Pre-filled to Mining & Extraction 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 Mining & Extraction in California
$6,350to$38,100
Median: $18,300 · Rate range $1.27 to $7.62 per $100 payroll
Industry median across all states
$8,300
Cheapest states for Mining & Extraction
- Utah $0.600
- Tennessee $1.06
- Kansas $1.10
Most expensive
- Pennsylvania $6.25
- New Jersey $3.89
- Hawaii $3.74
Estimate based on 24 states of rate-filing data. Actual premium also reflects experience modifier, schedule credits, and carrier underwriting.
Filing checklist for Mining & Extraction businesses in California
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
Employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. For Mining & Extraction 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
Mining & Extraction businesses typically use codes like 1624, 1164, 1165. The wrong code can cost 4 to 10x more or get reclassified at audit. In California, the cheapest code on this list is 1320 at $1.27 and the most expensive is 4049 at $3.96.
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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. Mining & Extraction 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. Mining & Extraction class allocation can shift if any worker spends more than 50% of time on a different code.
Mining & Extraction workers comp FAQs in California
What is the typical workers comp rate for Mining & Extraction in California?
Mining & Extraction employers in California pay a median rate of $3.66 per $100 of payroll, with rates ranging from $1.27 to $7.62 depending on the specific class code. The national median across all states for Mining & Extraction is $1.66, so California sits about 120% above the national average.
How many Mining & Extraction class codes are filed in California?
California has 13 unique NCCI class codes filed for Mining & Extraction occupations, drawn from 13 state-class code rate cells in our dataset. The most common codes include 1624 (Oil/Gas Wells - Drilling/Operation), 1164 (Stone, Sand, or Gravel Quarry), 1165 (Stone, Sand, Gravel Processing).
Are Mining & Extraction 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 Mining & Extraction 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. Mining & Extraction workers are subject to the same statutory cap as workers in any other industry.
How long does a Mining & Extraction 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. Mining & Extraction workers should report any incident on the date it happens, even minor strains, because cumulative trauma claims can fail without contemporaneous documentation.
Can a Mining & Extraction 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. Mining & Extraction 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.