AR · NCCI

Workers comp rates and rules in Arkansas

Arkansas has 615 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $879 (66.67% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 2 years. Verified 2026-05-08.

Cheapest code $0.030 Farm - Hay Baling (Custom)
Median rate $0.190 across 50 top codes
Priciest code $0.410 Stone, Sand, Gravel Processing

Class code rate comparison

The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in Arkansas, sorted from cheapest to most expensive per $100 of payroll. Cross-state percentile shows where each code sits versus the same code in other states.

State Occupation Code Rate per $100 vs peers Source
Arkansas Farm - Hay Baling (Custom) 0065 D $0.030 67% view
Arkansas Farm - Threshing (Custom) 0066 D $0.030 67% view
Arkansas Farm - Silo Filling (Custom) 0067 D $0.030 67% view
Arkansas Real Estate Clerical 8803 $0.040 77% view
Arkansas Hospice Care - All Other 8871 $0.040 68% view
Arkansas Clerical office 8810 $0.050 27% view
Arkansas Telemarketing Clerical 8814 $0.050 36% view
Arkansas Architects 8603 $0.060 87% view
Arkansas Furniture Salespersons 8723 $0.060 50% view
Arkansas Property Management NOC 8737 $0.060 7% view
Arkansas Medical Office Clerical 8805 $0.060 36% view
Arkansas Insurance Adjusters 8734 $0.070 7% view
Arkansas Clerical Telecommuter Employees 8815 $0.080 21% view
Arkansas College Other Employees 8820 $0.080 68% view
Arkansas Hospice Care 8855 $0.080 72% view
Arkansas Farm - Custom Harvesting 0059 D $0.100 67% view
Arkansas Sound Recording 4360 $0.100 7% view
Arkansas Ambulance Service 7402 $0.100 71% view
Arkansas Telephone/Telegraph Companies 8901 $0.100 55% view
Arkansas Residential Property Management 8738 $0.110 14% view
Arkansas Telemarketing Clerical 8814 M $0.110 63% view
Arkansas Medical Office Clerical 8805 M $0.130 69% view
Arkansas Salesperson, outside 8742 $0.150 41% view
Arkansas Stevedoring Operations 7431 $0.160 6% view
Arkansas Physician, non-surgical 8832 $0.170 48% view
Arkansas Consulting Engineers 8601 $0.190 64% view
Arkansas Jewelry Salespersons 8721 $0.190 71% view
Arkansas Property Management NOC 8737 M $0.190 50% view
Arkansas Advertising Sales 8755 $0.190 48% view
Arkansas Insurance Adjusters 8734 M $0.210 44% view
Arkansas Clerical Telecommuter Employees 8815 M $0.210 69% view
Arkansas Jewelry Stores 8013 $0.230 68% view
Arkansas Landscape Gardening 0771 N $0.250 56% view
Arkansas College, non-faculty 8868 $0.270 59% view
Arkansas Barber, beauty parlor, hair stylist 9586 $0.270 55% view
Arkansas Livery Service 7405 $0.280 15% view
Arkansas Glassware Manufacturing 4109 $0.290 72% view
Arkansas RV Salespersons 8748 $0.290 45% view
Arkansas Adult Day Care 8856 $0.290 47% view
Arkansas Boat Livery 7453 N $0.300 67% view
Arkansas Telecom Line Construction 7610 $0.300 50% view
Arkansas Outside Sales - All Other 8799 $0.300 50% view
Arkansas Drug Manufacturing 4511 $0.320 67% view
Arkansas Residential Property Management 8738 M $0.340 56% view
Arkansas Storage Battery Manufacturing 4692 $0.360 45% view
Arkansas Vessel Operations NOC 7445 N $0.380 75% view
Arkansas Retail Bakery 8045 $0.380 53% view
Arkansas Retail Store - Shoe 8072 $0.380 50% view
Arkansas Fruit & Vegetable Stores 8015 $0.400 45% view
Arkansas Stone, Sand, Gravel Processing 1165 $0.410 13% view

Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive) This state

Arkansas coverage rules & benefits

Coverage threshold

Employers with 3 or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.

Max weekly benefit

$879 (66.67% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.

TTD weeks

450 weeks of temporary total disability benefits.

PPD weeks

225 weeks of permanent partial disability (whole-body schedule).

Death benefit

Up to $395,550 in fatal-claim death benefits to dependents.

Statute of limitations

2 years from injury date to file the claim.

1099 contractor treatment

Workers are generally presumed to be employees unless they meet specific criteria for independent contractor status, which can lead to reclassification and WC liability.

Owner exclusion

Allowed. Sole proprietor self-coverage: optional. LLC member self-coverage: optional.

Estimate your premium in Arkansas

Pre-filled to Arkansas. Pick your industry and 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 Arkansas

$1,450to$64,900

Median: $7,200 · Rate range $0.290 to $12.98 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 & compliance in Arkansas

  1. Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold

    Employers with 3 or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.

  2. Step 2, Determine class code

    Your premium uses the NCCI class code that best matches your operation. The wrong class code can cost 4-10x more or get reclassified at audit.

  3. Step 3, Get a quote (or use the state fund)

    Private carriers like Travelers, Hartford, and Liberty Mutual write coverage in Arkansas. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.

  4. Step 4, Track payroll & subcontractors

    A general contractor can be held liable for the workers' compensation benefits of an uninsured subcontractor's employees. Keep certificates of insurance for every sub.

  5. 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.

Penalty for non-coverage: Failure to carry required workers' compensation insurance can result in fines, stop-work orders, and personal liability for employee injuries.

Arkansas workers comp FAQs

Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in Arkansas?

Employers with 3 or more employees are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.

What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in Arkansas?

The current maximum weekly benefit in Arkansas is $879 (effective 2024). Benefits are typically 66.67% of the average weekly wage, capped at the state maximum.

How long do I have to file a workers comp claim in Arkansas?

The statute of limitations for filing a workers compensation claim in Arkansas is 2 years from the date of injury. Notice to the employer is typically required within 30 days.

Are 1099 contractors covered by workers comp in Arkansas?

Workers are generally presumed to be employees unless they meet specific criteria for independent contractor status, which can lead to reclassification and WC liability.

Can business owners exclude themselves from workers comp coverage in Arkansas?

Yes, Arkansas allows business owners (sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, corporate officers) to exclude themselves from coverage by filing the appropriate election form. Sole-proprietor self-coverage is not required; LLC member self-coverage is not required.

What is the penalty for not carrying workers comp in Arkansas?

Failure to carry required workers' compensation insurance can result in fines, stop-work orders, and personal liability for employee injuries.

When does my workers comp carrier audit my payroll in Arkansas?

Arkansas typically requires a payroll audit within 90 days of policy expiration. Final premium is reconciled to actual payroll, and class code allocation can shift based on the audit findings. Keep payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.

Am I liable for subcontractors' workers comp in Arkansas?

A general contractor can be held liable for the workers' compensation benefits of an uninsured subcontractor's employees.

Related in Arkansas