HI · NCCI

Workers comp rates and rules in Hawaii

Hawaii has 549 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $1,290 (66.67% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 2 years. Verified 2026-05-08.

Cheapest code $0.040 Real Estate Clerical
Median rate $0.560 across 50 top codes
Priciest code $0.920 Caisson Work

Class code rate comparison

The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in Hawaii, 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
Hawaii Real Estate Clerical 8803 $0.040 77% view
Hawaii Architects 8603 $0.070 100% view
Hawaii College Other Employees 8820 $0.090 77% view
Hawaii Hospice Care - All Other 8871 $0.090 89% view
Hawaii Ambulance Service 7402 $0.110 82% view
Hawaii Furniture Salespersons 8723 $0.120 94% view
Hawaii Hospice Care 8855 $0.190 100% view
Hawaii Jewelry Salespersons 8721 $0.200 76% view
Hawaii Consulting Engineers 8601 $0.220 82% view
Hawaii Clerical office 8810 $0.260 95% view
Hawaii Salesperson, outside 8742 $0.270 86% view
Hawaii Jewelry Stores 8013 $0.290 86% view
Hawaii Telephone/Telegraph Companies 8901 $0.290 100% view
Hawaii Construction Supervisor 5606 $0.310 18% view
Hawaii Interior Trim Installation 5951 $0.350 76% view
Hawaii Physician, non-surgical 8832 $0.360 95% view
Hawaii Telecom Line Construction 7610 $0.400 73% view
Hawaii Advertising Sales 8755 $0.400 81% view
Hawaii Barber, beauty parlor, hair stylist 9586 $0.460 91% view
Hawaii RV Salespersons 8748 $0.470 82% view
Hawaii Outside Sales - All Other 8799 $0.480 75% view
Hawaii Landscape Gardening 0771 N $0.510 94% view
Hawaii Retail Salespersons 8726 F $0.510 19% view
Hawaii Fruit & Vegetable Stores 8015 $0.520 90% view
Hawaii College, non-faculty 8868 $0.530 91% view
Hawaii Country Club 9088 $0.560 33% view
Hawaii Glassware Manufacturing 4109 $0.570 94% view
Hawaii Retail Store - Shoe 8072 $0.600 94% view
Hawaii Dredging 6214 $0.650 41% view
Hawaii Health or Exercise Club 9089 $0.650 84% view
Hawaii Oil refinery 3719 $0.680 75% view
Hawaii Automobile Salespersons 8720 $0.690 64% view
Hawaii Storage Battery Manufacturing 4692 $0.710 91% view
Hawaii Land Grading 6213 $0.710 21% view
Hawaii Hospital, professional employees 8833 $0.710 80% view
Hawaii YMCA, YWCA, gym 9063 $0.730 95% view
Hawaii Retail Bakery 8045 $0.760 89% view
Hawaii Masonry 5491 $0.780 15% view
Hawaii Drug Stores 8008 $0.780 82% view
Hawaii Adult Day Care 8856 $0.780 100% view
Hawaii Railroad Shop Employees 7421 $0.790 100% view
Hawaii Oil/Gas Pipeline Construction 6233 $0.810 24% view
Hawaii Retail Stationery Store 8047 $0.810 86% view
Hawaii Office Machinery Manufacturing 3826 $0.880 85% view
Hawaii Asbestos Goods Manufacturing 4149 $0.880 94% view
Hawaii Drug Manufacturing 4511 $0.890 100% view
Hawaii Oil & Gas Well Drilling 4825 $0.900 95% view
Hawaii Stevedoring NOC 8709 F $0.910 14% view
Hawaii Caisson Work 6206 $0.920 32% view
Hawaii Hospital Other Employees 8831 $0.920 91% view

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

Hawaii coverage rules & benefits

Coverage threshold

Employers with one or more employees, whether working full-time or part-time, are directly affected.

Max weekly benefit

$1,290 (66.67% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.

PPD weeks

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

Death benefit

Up to $402,480 in fatal-claim death benefits to dependents.

Statute of limitations

2 years from injury date to file the claim.

1099 contractor treatment

Individuals classified as 1099 contractors may be deemed employees for workers' compensation purposes if they do not meet specific independent contractor criteria, primarily based on the 'right to control' test.

Owner exclusion

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

State fund

Hawaii Employers Mutual Insurance Company (HEMIC) is the state-administered carrier.

Estimate your premium in Hawaii

Pre-filled to Hawaii. 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 Hawaii

$2,850to$120,000

Median: $14,700 · Rate range $0.570 to $24.00 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 Hawaii

  1. Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold

    Employers with one or more employees, whether working full-time or part-time, are directly affected.

  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)

    Hawaii Employers Mutual Insurance Company (HEMIC) is one option; private carriers like Travelers, Hartford, and Liberty Mutual also write coverage in Hawaii. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.

  4. Step 4, Track payroll & subcontractors

    General contractors are liable for the workers' compensation benefits of employees of uninsured subcontractors. 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: Penalties for non-compliance include fines of up to $10,000, stop-work orders, and potential criminal charges.

Hawaii workers comp FAQs

Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in Hawaii?

Employers with one or more employees, whether working full-time or part-time, are directly affected.

What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in Hawaii?

The current maximum weekly benefit in Hawaii is $1,290 (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 Hawaii?

The statute of limitations for filing a workers compensation claim in Hawaii 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 Hawaii?

Individuals classified as 1099 contractors may be deemed employees for workers' compensation purposes if they do not meet specific independent contractor criteria, primarily based on the 'right to control' test.

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

Yes, Hawaii 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 Hawaii?

Penalties for non-compliance include fines of up to $10,000, stop-work orders, and potential criminal charges.

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

Hawaii 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 Hawaii?

General contractors are liable for the workers' compensation benefits of employees of uninsured subcontractors.

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