LA · NCCI

Workers comp rates and rules in Louisiana

Louisiana has 631 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $794 (66.67% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 1 year. Verified 2026-05-08.

Cheapest code $0.030 Farm - Hay Baling (Custom)
Median rate $0.240 across 50 top codes
Priciest code $0.410 Paint Manufacturing

Class code rate comparison

The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in Louisiana, 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
Louisiana Farm - Hay Baling (Custom) 0065 D $0.030 67% view
Louisiana Farm - Threshing (Custom) 0066 D $0.030 67% view
Louisiana Farm - Silo Filling (Custom) 0067 D $0.030 67% view
Louisiana Hospice Care - All Other 8871 $0.030 53% view
Louisiana Farm - Custom Harvesting 0059 D $0.040 33% view
Louisiana Architects 8603 $0.040 53% view
Louisiana Real Estate Clerical 8803 $0.040 77% view
Louisiana Hospice Care 8855 $0.090 89% view
Louisiana Ambulance Service 7402 $0.100 71% view
Louisiana Clerical office 8810 $0.100 73% view
Louisiana College Other Employees 8820 $0.100 86% view
Louisiana Furniture Salespersons 8723 $0.110 89% view
Louisiana Telemarketing Clerical 8814 $0.110 86% view
Louisiana Telemarketing Clerical 8814 M $0.120 75% view
Louisiana Telephone/Telegraph Companies 8901 $0.120 70% view
Louisiana Medical Office Clerical 8805 $0.130 86% view
Louisiana Medical Office Clerical 8805 M $0.140 75% view
Louisiana Clerical Telecommuter Employees 8815 $0.140 79% view
Louisiana Clerical Telecommuter Employees 8815 M $0.160 50% view
Louisiana Physician, non-surgical 8832 $0.160 33% view
Louisiana Consulting Engineers 8601 $0.170 45% view
Louisiana Jewelry Stores 8013 $0.210 64% view
Louisiana Property Management NOC 8737 $0.210 79% view
Louisiana Advertising Sales 8755 $0.220 71% view
Louisiana Salesperson, outside 8742 $0.230 82% view
Louisiana Glassware Manufacturing 4109 $0.240 56% view
Louisiana Insurance Adjusters 8734 $0.240 86% view
Louisiana Barber, beauty parlor, hair stylist 9586 $0.240 32% view
Louisiana Jewelry Salespersons 8721 $0.250 94% view
Louisiana College, non-faculty 8868 $0.260 55% view
Louisiana Residential Property Management 8738 $0.270 64% view
Louisiana Mirror Manufacturing 4750 $0.280 - view
Louisiana Property Management NOC 8737 M $0.280 88% view
Louisiana Interior Trim Installation 5951 $0.290 57% view
Louisiana Storage Battery Manufacturing 4692 $0.310 41% view
Louisiana Insurance Adjusters 8734 M $0.310 88% view
Louisiana Hand Blown Glassware Manufacturing 4743 $0.320 - view
Louisiana Asbestos Goods Manufacturing 4149 $0.340 53% view
Louisiana RV Salespersons 8748 $0.340 59% view
Louisiana Drug Manufacturing 4511 $0.350 76% view
Louisiana Residential Property Management 8738 M $0.360 69% view
Louisiana Flat Glass Manufacturing 4740 $0.370 25% view
Louisiana Vessel Operations NOC 7445 N $0.370 69% view
Louisiana Electrical Wiring Devices Manufacturing 3681 $0.390 45% view
Louisiana Fruit & Vegetable Stores 8015 $0.390 40% view
Louisiana Office Machinery Manufacturing 3826 $0.400 40% view
Louisiana Oil & Gas Pipeline Operation 4829 $0.400 18% view
Louisiana Adult Day Care 8856 $0.400 88% view
Louisiana Paint Manufacturing 4581 $0.410 29% view
Louisiana Retail Bakery 8045 $0.410 63% view

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

Louisiana coverage rules & benefits

Coverage threshold

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

Max weekly benefit

$794 (66.67% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.

TTD weeks

500 weeks of temporary total disability benefits.

PPD weeks

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

Death benefit

Up to $412,880 in fatal-claim death benefits to dependents.

Statute of limitations

1 year from injury date to file the claim.

1099 contractor treatment

Classification of 1099 contractors is based on a multi-factor test, primarily focusing on the right to control the details of the work performed.

Owner exclusion

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

State fund

Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation (LWCC) is the state-administered carrier.

Estimate your premium in Louisiana

Pre-filled to Louisiana. 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 Louisiana

$1,200to$173,950

Median: $6,450 · Rate range $0.240 to $34.79 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 Louisiana

  1. Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold

    Employers with one 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)

    Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation (LWCC) is one option; private carriers like Travelers, Hartford, and Liberty Mutual also write coverage in Louisiana. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.

  4. Step 4, Track payroll & subcontractors

    A principal contractor can be held liable for the workers' compensation benefits of an uninsured subcontractor's employees if the work performed is part of the principal's trade, business, or occupation. Keep certificates of insurance for every sub.

  5. Step 5, Annual audit

    Carriers audit payroll within 90-120 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 up to $10,000, imprisonment up to one year, and personal liability for all benefits and medical expenses.

Louisiana workers comp FAQs

Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in Louisiana?

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

What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in Louisiana?

The current maximum weekly benefit in Louisiana is $794 (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 Louisiana?

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

Classification of 1099 contractors is based on a multi-factor test, primarily focusing on the right to control the details of the work performed.

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

Yes, Louisiana 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 Louisiana?

Penalties for non-compliance include fines up to $10,000, imprisonment up to one year, and personal liability for all benefits and medical expenses.

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

Louisiana typically requires a payroll audit within 90-120 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 Louisiana?

A principal contractor can be held liable for the workers' compensation benefits of an uninsured subcontractor's employees if the work performed is part of the principal's trade, business, or occupation.

Related in Louisiana