Retail workers compensation in New Jersey
Retail businesses in New Jersey pay a median rate of $4.73 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.590 to $10.66. The national median for Retail is $1.26, so New Jersey sits 275% above the national average. 47 unique NCCI class codes are filed in this state for Retail occupations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Top Retail class codes in New Jersey
The class codes most likely to apply to a Retail operation in New Jersey, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8013 | Jewelry Stores | $0.590 | HIGH |
| 8726 F | Retail Salespersons | $1.40 | HIGH |
| 8008 | Drug Stores | $2.06 | HIGH |
| 8006 | Hardware Stores | $2.27 | HIGH |
| 8017 | Store, retail NOC | $2.54 | HIGH |
| 8102 | Retail Store - Meat, Fish | $2.54 | HIGH |
| 8039 | Retail Hardware Store | $3.15 | HIGH |
| 8032 | Retail Clothing Store | $3.53 | HIGH |
| 8001 | Wholesale Stores - N.O.C. | $3.84 | HIGH |
| 8018 | Store, wholesale | $4.21 | HIGH |
New Jersey compliance for Retail employers
Coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation insurance.
1099 vs W-2 in Retail
New Jersey uses a strict 'ABC test' to determine if a worker is an independent contractor or an employee.
Owner exclusion
Allowed in New Jersey. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.
Max weekly benefit
$1,159 at 70% of average weekly wage, effective 2025-01-01.
Statute of limitations
2 years from injury date in New Jersey.
Audit window
New Jersey carriers audit payroll within 90 days of policy expiration. Keep Retail payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.
Cross-cite: full New Jersey workers comp overview · Retail cross-state rate comparison · New Jersey workers comp lawyer guide · New Jersey settlement chart
Estimate your Retail premium in New Jersey
Pre-filled to Retail and New Jersey. 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 Retail in New Jersey
$2,950to$53,300
Median: $23,650 · Rate range $0.590 to $10.66 per $100 payroll
Industry median across all states
$6,315
Cheapest states for Retail
- Utah $0.480
- Tennessee $0.780
- Virginia $0.782
Most expensive
- New Jersey $4.73
- California $3.37
- Pennsylvania $2.31
Estimate based on 24 states of rate-filing data. Actual premium also reflects experience modifier, schedule credits, and carrier underwriting.
Filing checklist for Retail businesses in New Jersey
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation insurance. For Retail 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
Retail businesses typically use codes like 8726, 1925, 2002. The wrong code can cost 4 to 10x more or get reclassified at audit. In New Jersey, the cheapest code on this list is 8013 at $0.590 and the most expensive is 8018 at $4.21.
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Step 3, Get a quote
Private carriers write Retail coverage in New Jersey. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Document subcontractors
General contractors are liable for the workers' compensation benefits of employees of an uninsured subcontractor. Retail 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. Retail class allocation can shift if any worker spends more than 50% of time on a different code.
Retail workers comp FAQs in New Jersey
What is the typical workers comp rate for Retail in New Jersey?
Retail employers in New Jersey pay a median rate of $4.73 per $100 of payroll, with rates ranging from $0.590 to $10.66 depending on the specific class code. The national median across all states for Retail is $1.26, so New Jersey sits about 275% above the national average.
How many Retail class codes are filed in New Jersey?
New Jersey has 47 unique NCCI class codes filed for Retail occupations, drawn from 47 state-class code rate cells in our dataset. The most common codes include 8726 (Retail Salespersons), 1925 (Retail Bakery), 2002 (Retail Meat/Fish Dealer).
Are Retail 1099 contractors covered by workers comp in New Jersey?
New Jersey uses a strict 'ABC test' to determine if a worker is an independent contractor or an employee.
What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Retail worker in New Jersey?
New Jersey caps weekly workers comp benefits at $1,159 (effective 2025-01-01), calculated as 70% of the average weekly wage. Retail workers are subject to the same statutory cap as workers in any other industry.
How long does a Retail worker have to file a comp claim in New Jersey?
The statute of limitations in New Jersey is 2 years from the date of injury. Most claims also require notice to the employer within 30 days. Retail workers should report any incident on the date it happens, even minor strains, because cumulative trauma claims can fail without contemporaneous documentation.
Can a Retail business owner exclude themselves from comp coverage in New Jersey?
Yes, New Jersey allows business owners (sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, corporate officers) to file an exclusion election. Retail 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.