MD · NCCI

Workers comp rates and rules in Maryland

Maryland has 614 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $1,390 (66.67% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 2 years. Verified 2026-05-08.

Cheapest code $0.020 Architects
Median rate $0.150 across 50 top codes
Priciest code $0.330 Video Production

Class code rate comparison

The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in Maryland, 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
Maryland Architects 8603 $0.020 33% view
Maryland Real Estate Clerical 8803 $0.020 32% view
Maryland Hospice Care - All Other 8871 $0.020 32% view
Maryland Ambulance Service 7402 $0.050 29% view
Maryland Furniture Salespersons 8723 $0.050 33% view
Maryland Clerical office 8810 $0.050 27% view
Maryland College Other Employees 8820 $0.050 32% view
Maryland Hospice Care 8855 $0.050 33% view
Maryland Telemarketing Clerical 8814 $0.060 43% view
Maryland Telemarketing Clerical 8814 M $0.060 25% view
Maryland Medical Office Clerical 8805 $0.070 50% view
Maryland Medical Office Clerical 8805 M $0.070 25% view
Maryland Telephone/Telegraph Companies 8901 $0.070 30% view
Maryland Clerical Telecommuter Employees 8815 $0.090 43% view
Maryland Clerical Telecommuter Employees 8815 M $0.090 19% view
Maryland Jewelry Salespersons 8721 $0.100 29% view
Maryland Salesperson, outside 8742 $0.110 27% view
Maryland Drug Manufacturing 4511 $0.120 10% view
Maryland Consulting Engineers 8601 $0.120 27% view
Maryland Advertising Sales 8755 $0.120 24% view
Maryland Physician, non-surgical 8832 $0.120 29% view
Maryland Property Management NOC 8737 $0.130 57% view
Maryland Property Management NOC 8737 M $0.130 25% view
Maryland Jewelry Stores 8013 $0.140 27% view
Maryland College, non-faculty 8868 $0.140 23% view
Maryland Landscape Gardening 0771 $0.150 20% view
Maryland Landscape Gardening 0771 N $0.150 13% view
Maryland Insurance Adjusters 8734 $0.150 57% view
Maryland Insurance Adjusters 8734 M $0.150 25% view
Maryland Electrical Wiring Devices Manufacturing 3681 $0.160 9% view
Maryland Telecom Line Construction 7610 $0.160 23% view
Maryland Barber, beauty parlor, hair stylist 9586 $0.170 23% view
Maryland Interior Trim Installation 5951 $0.200 19% view
Maryland Residential Property Management 8738 $0.200 57% view
Maryland Residential Property Management 8738 M $0.200 6% view
Maryland Glassware Manufacturing 4109 $0.220 44% view
Maryland Outside Sales - All Other 8799 $0.230 38% view
Maryland RV Salespersons 8748 $0.240 32% view
Maryland Vessel Operations NOC 7445 $0.250 63% view
Maryland Vessel Operations NOC 7445 N $0.250 38% view
Maryland Boat Livery 7453 $0.260 63% view
Maryland Boat Livery 7453 N $0.260 53% view
Maryland Storage Battery Manufacturing 4692 $0.280 27% view
Maryland Retail Store - Shoe 8072 $0.280 33% view
Maryland YMCA, YWCA, gym 9063 $0.280 19% view
Maryland Adult Day Care 8856 $0.290 47% view
Maryland Asbestos Goods Manufacturing 4149 $0.300 29% view
Maryland Hospital, professional employees 8833 $0.310 15% view
Maryland Fruit & Vegetable Stores 8015 $0.320 25% view
Maryland Video Production 4361 $0.330 23% view

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

Maryland coverage rules & benefits

Coverage threshold

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

Max weekly benefit

$1,390 (66.67% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.

PPD weeks

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

Death benefit

Up to $361,400 in fatal-claim death benefits to dependents.

Statute of limitations

2 years from injury date to file the claim.

1099 contractor treatment

Maryland uses the 'right to control' test to determine if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Misclassification can lead to penalties.

Owner exclusion

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

State fund

Chesapeake Employers Insurance (formerly IWIF) is the state-administered carrier.

Estimate your premium in Maryland

Pre-filled to Maryland. 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 Maryland

$600to$49,850

Median: $5,600 · Rate range $0.120 to $9.97 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 Maryland

  1. Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold

    All 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)

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

  4. Step 4, Track payroll & subcontractors

    General contractors are responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation coverage; otherwise, the general contractor may be liable for injuries to the 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: Employers failing to carry workers' compensation insurance may face fines, stop-work orders, and personal liability for injured workers' benefits.

Maryland workers comp FAQs

Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in Maryland?

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

What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in Maryland?

The current maximum weekly benefit in Maryland is $1,390 (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 Maryland?

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

Maryland uses the 'right to control' test to determine if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Misclassification can lead to penalties.

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

Yes, Maryland 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 Maryland?

Employers failing to carry workers' compensation insurance may face fines, stop-work orders, and personal liability for injured workers' benefits.

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

Maryland 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 Maryland?

General contractors are responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation coverage; otherwise, the general contractor may be liable for injuries to the subcontractor's employees.

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