MN · MWCIA

Workers comp rates and rules in Minnesota

Minnesota has 580 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $1,391 (66.67% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 3 years. Verified 2026-05-08.

Cheapest code $0.030 Real Estate Clerical
Median rate $0.390 across 50 top codes
Priciest code $0.620 Hospital, professional employees

Class code rate comparison

The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in Minnesota, 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
Minnesota Real Estate Clerical 8803 $0.030 55% view
Minnesota Hospice Care 8855 $0.050 33% view
Minnesota Furniture Salespersons 8723 $0.070 61% view
Minnesota Clerical office 8810 $0.070 41% view
Minnesota College Other Employees 8820 $0.070 55% view
Minnesota Telephone/Telegraph Companies 8901 $0.080 45% view
Minnesota Telemarketing Clerical 8814 $0.090 79% view
Minnesota Medical Office Clerical 8805 $0.100 71% view
Minnesota Clerical Telecommuter Employees 8815 $0.140 79% view
Minnesota Salesperson, outside 8742 $0.160 55% view
Minnesota Physician, non-surgical 8832 $0.170 48% view
Minnesota Jewelry Salespersons 8721 $0.180 65% view
Minnesota Property Management NOC 8737 $0.190 71% view
Minnesota Road/Street Construction 6237 $0.210 5% view
Minnesota Consulting Engineers 8601 $0.210 73% view
Minnesota Insurance Adjusters 8734 $0.210 71% view
Minnesota Jewelry Stores 8013 $0.240 82% view
Minnesota Mirror Manufacturing 4112 $0.250 25% view
Minnesota Telecom Line Construction 7610 $0.250 41% view
Minnesota Drug Manufacturing 4511 $0.260 38% view
Minnesota College, non-faculty 8868 $0.260 55% view
Minnesota Residential Property Management 8738 $0.310 79% view
Minnesota RV Salespersons 8748 $0.310 55% view
Minnesota Adult Day Care 8856 $0.310 53% view
Minnesota Retail Store - Shoe 8072 $0.360 39% view
Minnesota Hospital Operations 9077 S $0.390 - view
Minnesota Barber, beauty parlor, hair stylist 9586 $0.390 86% view
Minnesota Retail Bakery 8045 $0.400 58% view
Minnesota Fruit & Vegetable Stores 8015 $0.420 55% view
Minnesota Wood Pattern Manufacturing 3383 $0.430 14% view
Minnesota Die Casting Manufacturing 3385 $0.430 32% view
Minnesota Electrical Instrument Manufacturing 3685 $0.430 43% view
Minnesota Plaster or Plasterboard Manufacturing 4150 $0.430 40% view
Minnesota Railroad Shop Employees 7421 $0.440 68% view
Minnesota Building Operation - Theaters 9012 $0.460 50% view
Minnesota Flat Glass Manufacturing 4740 $0.480 50% view
Minnesota Oil & Gas Well Drilling 4825 $0.480 75% view
Minnesota Storage Battery Manufacturing 4692 $0.500 77% view
Minnesota Waterworks Company 7515 $0.500 36% view
Minnesota Home Health Care - All Other 8869 $0.500 45% view
Minnesota Gas Manufacturing 3574 $0.510 41% view
Minnesota Electrical Wiring Devices Manufacturing 3681 $0.530 82% view
Minnesota YMCA, YWCA, gym 9063 $0.530 71% view
Minnesota Battery Manufacturing 4693 $0.560 62% view
Minnesota Paint Manufacturing 3548 $0.570 19% view
Minnesota Paint Manufacturing 4581 $0.580 71% view
Minnesota Office Machinery Manufacturing 3826 $0.590 70% view
Minnesota Video Production 4361 $0.590 64% view
Minnesota Automobile Salespersons 8720 $0.610 50% view
Minnesota Hospital, professional employees 8833 $0.620 55% view

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

Minnesota coverage rules & benefits

Coverage threshold

Employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.

Max weekly benefit

$1,391 (66.67% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.

TTD weeks

130 weeks of temporary total disability benefits.

Death benefit

Up to $695,500 in fatal-claim death benefits to dependents.

Statute of limitations

3 years from injury date to file the claim.

1099 contractor treatment

Minnesota uses an 'economic realities' test to determine worker classification, regardless of 1099 status; misclassification can lead to penalties.

Owner exclusion

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

State fund

SFM Mutual Insurance Company is the state-administered carrier.

Estimate your premium in Minnesota

Pre-filled to Minnesota. 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 Minnesota

$1,250to$65,050

Median: $8,250 · Rate range $0.250 to $13.01 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 Minnesota

  1. Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold

    Employers with one or more employees must 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)

    SFM Mutual Insurance Company is one option; private carriers like Travelers, Hartford, and Liberty Mutual also write coverage in Minnesota. 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 or may be held liable for their employees' injuries. 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 include fines, stop-work orders, and personal liability for employee injuries and benefits.

Minnesota workers comp FAQs

Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in Minnesota?

Employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.

What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in Minnesota?

The current maximum weekly benefit in Minnesota is $1,391 (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 Minnesota?

The statute of limitations for filing a workers compensation claim in Minnesota is 3 years from the date of injury. Notice to the employer is typically required within 30 days.

Are 1099 contractors covered by workers comp in Minnesota?

Minnesota uses an 'economic realities' test to determine worker classification, regardless of 1099 status; misclassification can lead to penalties.

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

Yes, Minnesota 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 Minnesota?

Penalties include fines, stop-work orders, and personal liability for employee injuries and benefits.

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

Minnesota 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 Minnesota?

General contractors are responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation or may be held liable for their employees' injuries.

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