NJ · CRIB

Workers comp rates and rules in New Jersey

New Jersey has 525 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $1,131 (70% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 2 years. Verified 2026-05-08.

Cheapest code $0.050 Real Estate Clerical
Median rate $0.970 across 50 top codes
Priciest code $1.52 Livery Service

Class code rate comparison

The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in New Jersey, 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
New Jersey Real Estate Clerical 8803 $0.050 95% view
New Jersey Medical & Dental Offices 8860 $0.070 - view
New Jersey Clerical office 8810 $0.140 82% view
New Jersey Hospice Care - All Other 8871 $0.140 100% view
New Jersey Nursing Home - All Other 8890 $0.170 - view
New Jersey College Other Employees 8820 $0.250 100% view
New Jersey Salesperson, outside 8742 $0.330 95% view
New Jersey Social Service Staff 8840 $0.380 100% view
New Jersey Nursing Home Staff 8838 $0.420 67% view
New Jersey Interior Trim Installation 5951 $0.440 81% view
New Jersey Advertising Sales 8755 $0.470 86% view
New Jersey Physician, non-surgical 8832 $0.480 100% view
New Jersey Consulting Engineers 8601 $0.510 100% view
New Jersey Barber, beauty parlor, hair stylist 9586 $0.530 95% view
New Jersey Sound Recording 4360 $0.590 87% view
New Jersey Jewelry Stores 8013 $0.590 95% view
New Jersey Oil & Gas Gathering Line Construction 4836 $0.620 - view
New Jersey Telecom Line Construction 7610 $0.650 91% view
New Jersey RV Salespersons 8748 $0.660 100% view
New Jersey Flat Glass Manufacturing 4740 $0.710 70% view
New Jersey Railroad Dining Car 7424 $0.710 67% view
New Jersey Ink Manufacturing 4572 $0.730 - view
New Jersey Janitorial Services 9720 $0.920 - view
New Jersey Mirror Manufacturing 4112 $0.950 100% view
New Jersey Storage Battery Manufacturing 4692 $0.960 95% view
New Jersey Stevedoring Operations 7431 $0.970 88% view
New Jersey Retail Bakery 8045 $0.990 95% view
New Jersey Machine Tool Manufacturing 3384 $1.06 - view
New Jersey Battery Manufacturing 4693 $1.08 86% view
New Jersey Electrical Wiring Devices Manufacturing 3681 $1.12 95% view
New Jersey Video Production 4361 $1.13 91% view
New Jersey Restaurant Employees 9045 $1.13 - view
New Jersey Theaters - N.O.C. 9610 $1.18 50% view
New Jersey Oil refinery 3719 $1.19 90% view
New Jersey College, non-faculty 8868 $1.19 100% view
New Jersey Plaster or Plasterboard Manufacturing 4150 $1.24 80% view
New Jersey Hotel Outside Sales 9053 $1.26 50% view
New Jersey Electrical Instrument Manufacturing 3685 $1.29 100% view
New Jersey YMCA, YWCA, gym 9063 $1.29 100% view
New Jersey Gas Manufacturing 3574 $1.31 91% view
New Jersey Rubber Goods Manufacturing 3581 $1.32 95% view
New Jersey Automobile Rental 7539 $1.32 91% view
New Jersey Office Machinery Manufacturing 3826 $1.33 100% view
New Jersey Film Developing/Printing 4353 $1.36 - view
New Jersey Electrical Apparatus Manufacturing 3648 $1.37 86% view
New Jersey Explosives Manufacturing 4611 $1.40 95% view
New Jersey Retail Salespersons 8726 F $1.40 71% view
New Jersey Explosives Manufacturing 3561 $1.45 - view
New Jersey Waterworks Company 7515 $1.45 95% view
New Jersey Livery Service 7405 $1.52 95% view

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

New Jersey coverage rules & benefits

Coverage threshold

All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation insurance.

Max weekly benefit

$1,131 (70% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.

PPD weeks

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

Death benefit

Up to $508,950 in fatal-claim death benefits to dependents.

Statute of limitations

2 years from injury date to file the claim.

1099 contractor treatment

New Jersey uses a strict 'ABC test' to determine if a worker is an independent contractor or an employee.

Owner exclusion

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

Estimate your premium in New Jersey

Pre-filled to New Jersey. 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 New Jersey

$3,550to$121,400

Median: $17,800 · Rate range $0.710 to $24.28 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 New Jersey

  1. Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold

    All employers with one or more employees must provide 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)

    Private carriers like Travelers, Hartford, and Liberty Mutual write coverage in New Jersey. 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 an uninsured subcontractor. 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 up to $5,000 for the first 10 days and $5,000 for each additional 10-day period, stop-work orders, and potential criminal charges.

New Jersey workers comp FAQs

Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in New Jersey?

All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation insurance.

What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in New Jersey?

The current maximum weekly benefit in New Jersey is $1,131 (effective 2024). Benefits are typically 70% of the average weekly wage, capped at the state maximum.

How long do I have to file a workers comp claim in New Jersey?

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

New Jersey uses a strict 'ABC test' to determine if a worker is an independent contractor or an employee.

Can business owners exclude themselves from workers comp coverage in New Jersey?

Yes, New Jersey 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 New Jersey?

Penalties for non-compliance include fines up to $5,000 for the first 10 days and $5,000 for each additional 10-day period, stop-work orders, and potential criminal charges.

When does my workers comp carrier audit my payroll in New Jersey?

New Jersey 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 New Jersey?

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

Related in New Jersey