Workers comp rates and rules in California
California has 498 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $1,659 (66.67% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 1 year. Verified 2026-05-08.
Class code rate comparison
The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in California, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Convalescent or Nursing Homes | 8859 | $0.030 | - | view |
| California | Assisted Living - Professional | 8874 | $0.050 | - | view |
| California | Real Estate Clerical | 8803 | $0.090 | 100% | view |
| California | Aircraft Salespersons | 8743 | $0.100 | - | view |
| California | Hospice Care - All Other | 8871 | $0.100 | 95% | view |
| California | Internet Service Provider | 7607 | $0.120 | - | view |
| California | Other Outside Sales | 8749 | $0.120 | - | view |
| California | Paint Manufacturing | 4512 | $0.140 | - | view |
| California | Automobile Salespersons | 8741 | $0.140 | - | view |
| California | Accounting Office Clerical | 8807 | $0.180 | - | view |
| California | College Other Employees | 8820 | $0.180 | 95% | view |
| California | Clerical office | 8810 | $0.210 | 91% | view |
| California | Advertising Office Clerical | 8811 | $0.210 | - | view |
| California | Data Processing Clerical | 8812 | $0.210 | - | view |
| California | Blueprinting or Photostating | 4297 | $0.230 | - | view |
| California | Social Service Staff | 8840 | $0.280 | 50% | view |
| California | College Professional & Clerical | 8818 | $0.310 | - | view |
| California | Salesperson, outside | 8742 | $0.320 | 91% | view |
| California | Boat Salespersons | 8744 | $0.320 | - | view |
| California | Heavy Equipment Sales | 8746 | $0.320 | - | view |
| California | Mirror Manufacturing | 4112 | $0.330 | 50% | view |
| California | School Other Employees | 8822 | $0.350 | - | view |
| California | Consulting Engineers | 8601 | $0.370 | 95% | view |
| California | Bank Clerical | 8801 | $0.380 | - | view |
| California | Convalescent or Nursing Home | 9151 | $0.380 | - | view |
| California | Iron or Steel Erection - Non-Structural | 5129 | $0.410 | - | view |
| California | Engineering Office Clerical | 8808 | $0.410 | - | view |
| California | Drug Manufacturing | 4511 | $0.420 | 86% | view |
| California | Agricultural Machinery Mfg. | 3070 | $0.430 | - | view |
| California | Electrical Wiring Devices Manufacturing | 3681 | $0.450 | 59% | view |
| California | Interior Trim Installation | 5951 | $0.480 | 86% | view |
| California | Electrical Supplies Manufacturing - NOC | 3683 | $0.500 | - | view |
| California | Telecom Line Construction | 7610 | $0.520 | 86% | view |
| California | Computer Programming Clerical | 8813 | $0.550 | - | view |
| California | RV Salespersons | 8748 | $0.570 | 95% | view |
| California | Advertising Sales | 8755 | $0.620 | 95% | view |
| California | School Professional & Clerical | 8821 | $0.670 | - | view |
| California | College, non-faculty | 8868 | $0.670 | 95% | view |
| California | Railroad Shop Employees | 7421 | $0.730 | 95% | view |
| California | Retail Store - Clothing | 8071 | $0.810 | - | view |
| California | Wholesale Salespersons | 8729 | $0.810 | - | view |
| California | Asphalt or Tar Refining | 3572 | $0.820 | - | view |
| California | Construction Supervisor | 5606 | $0.820 | 82% | view |
| California | Assisted Living - All Other | 8875 | $0.820 | - | view |
| California | School Professional Staff | 9410 | $0.820 | 19% | view |
| California | Nursing Home Other Employees | 8839 | $0.830 | - | view |
| California | Medical or Dental Office | 9155 | $0.890 | - | view |
| California | Home Health Care Services | 8834 | $0.940 | - | view |
| California | Hospice Care - Professional | 8870 | $0.940 | - | view |
| California | Plastic Articles Manufacturing | 3577 | $0.950 | - | view |
Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive) This state
California coverage rules & benefits
Coverage threshold
Employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.
Max weekly benefit
$1,659 (66.67% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.
TTD weeks
104 weeks of temporary total disability benefits.
Death benefit
Up to $495,000 in fatal-claim death benefits to dependents.
Statute of limitations
1 year from injury date to file the claim.
1099 contractor treatment
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. Sole proprietor self-coverage: optional. LLC member self-coverage: optional.
State fund
State Compensation Insurance Fund is the state-administered carrier.
Estimate your premium in California
Pre-filled to California. 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 California
$700to$95,600
Median: $23,700 · Rate range $0.140 to $19.12 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 California
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
Employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.
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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.
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Step 3, Get a quote (or use the state fund)
State Compensation Insurance Fund is one option; private carriers like Travelers, Hartford, and Liberty Mutual also write coverage in California. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Track payroll & 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. Keep certificates of insurance for every sub.
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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.
California workers comp FAQs
Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in California?
Employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.
What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in California?
The current maximum weekly benefit in California is $1,659 (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 California?
The statute of limitations for filing a workers compensation claim in California is 1 year from the date of injury. Notice to the employer is typically required within 30 days.
Are 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.
Can business owners exclude themselves from workers comp coverage in California?
Yes, California 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 California?
Failure to carry workers' compensation insurance can result in stop orders, fines up to $100,000, and potential criminal charges.
When does my workers comp carrier audit my payroll in California?
California 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 California?
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.