Transportation & Trucking workers compensation in Washington
Transportation & Trucking businesses in Washington pay a median rate of $1.04 per $100 of payroll, ranging from $0.191 to $17.72. The national median for Transportation & Trucking is $2.23, so Washington sits 53% below the national average. 34 unique NCCI class codes are filed in this state for Transportation & Trucking occupations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Top Transportation & Trucking class codes in Washington
The class codes most likely to apply to a Transportation & Trucking 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7204 | Trucking, Local Hauling | $0.191 | HIGH |
| 7205 | Trucking, Long Haul | $0.191 | HIGH |
| 7202 | Local Trucking | $0.232 | HIGH |
| 7100 | Stevedoring | $0.233 | HIGH |
| 7105 | Railroad Operation - Maintenance of Way | $0.237 | HIGH |
| 7104 | Railroad Operation - Shop Employees | $0.258 | HIGH |
| 7101 | Stevedoring - Containerized Freight | $0.260 | HIGH |
| 7203 | Trucking - Long Haul | $0.421 | HIGH |
| 6512 | Vessel Fueling | $0.433 | HIGH |
| 7109 | Railroad Operation - Yardmen | $0.466 | HIGH |
Washington compliance for Transportation & Trucking employers
Coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation coverage.
1099 vs W-2 in Transportation & Trucking
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 Transportation & Trucking payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.
Cross-cite: full Washington workers comp overview · Transportation & Trucking cross-state rate comparison · Washington workers comp lawyer guide · Washington settlement chart
Estimate your Transportation & Trucking premium in Washington
Pre-filled to Transportation & Trucking 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 Transportation & Trucking in Washington
$956to$88,623
Median: $5,183 · Rate range $0.191 to $17.72 per $100 payroll
Industry median across all states
$11,125
Cheapest states for Transportation & Trucking
- Pennsylvania $0.877
- Washington $1.04
- Utah $1.04
Most expensive
- New Jersey $7.15
- Illinois $4.04
- Minnesota $3.94
Estimate based on 24 states of rate-filing data. Actual premium also reflects experience modifier, schedule credits, and carrier underwriting.
Filing checklist for Transportation & Trucking 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 Transportation & Trucking 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
Transportation & Trucking businesses typically use codes like 7405, 7016, 7024. The wrong code can cost 4 to 10x more or get reclassified at audit. In Washington, the cheapest code on this list is 7204 at $0.191 and the most expensive is 7109 at $0.466.
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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. Transportation & Trucking 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. Transportation & Trucking class allocation can shift if any worker spends more than 50% of time on a different code.
Transportation & Trucking workers comp FAQs in Washington
What is the typical workers comp rate for Transportation & Trucking in Washington?
Transportation & Trucking employers in Washington pay a median rate of $1.04 per $100 of payroll, with rates ranging from $0.191 to $17.72 depending on the specific class code. The national median across all states for Transportation & Trucking is $2.23, so Washington sits about 53% below the national average.
How many Transportation & Trucking class codes are filed in Washington?
Washington has 34 unique NCCI class codes filed for Transportation & Trucking occupations, drawn from 34 state-class code rate cells in our dataset. The most common codes include 7405 (Livery Service), 7016 (Local Trucking), 7024 (Long Haul Trucking).
Are Transportation & Trucking 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 Transportation & Trucking worker in Washington?
Washington caps weekly workers comp benefits at $2,338 (effective 2025-07-01), calculated as 60% of the average weekly wage. Transportation & Trucking workers are subject to the same statutory cap as workers in any other industry.
How long does a Transportation & Trucking 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. Transportation & Trucking workers should report any incident on the date it happens, even minor strains, because cumulative trauma claims can fail without contemporaneous documentation.
Can a Transportation & Trucking 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. Transportation & Trucking 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.