Workers comp rates and rules in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 654 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $1,325 (66.67% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 3 years. Verified 2026-05-08.
Class code rate comparison
The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in Pennsylvania, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | Plant Nursery | 9741 | $0.010 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Tobacco Farm | 0962 | $0.016 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Christmas Tree Farming | 9740 | $0.020 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Field Crop Farm | 0956 | $0.023 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Farm - Silo Filling (Custom) | 0067 | $0.027 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Sugar Cane Farm | 0905 | $0.027 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Farm - Threshing (Custom) | 0066 | $0.028 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Boat Livery | 7453 | $0.031 | 13% | view |
| Pennsylvania | Dairy Farming | 0984 | $0.041 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Horse Farm or Stable | 0822 | $0.050 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Dairy Farm | 0953 | $0.050 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Milk Dealers | 2962 | $0.056 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Vegetable Farming | 0988 | $0.059 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Tobacco Farm | 0903 | $0.063 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Farming - Equine | 0176 | $0.068 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Tree Fruit or Nut Farming | 0989 | $0.072 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Cider Manufacturing | 2956 | $0.075 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Excelsior Manufacturing | 2905 | $0.092 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Stock or Dairy Farm | 0955 | $0.101 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Vessel Operations NOC | 7445 | $0.126 | 13% | view |
| Pennsylvania | Orchard or Vineyard | 0890 | $0.134 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Aircraft Operation, All Employees | 0920 | $0.134 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Aircraft Operation, Flight Instruction | 0951 | $0.135 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Seafood Processing | 2984 | $0.139 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Local & Interurban Bus | 7413 | $0.150 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Field Crops Farm | 0889 | $0.160 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Cotton Farm | 0963 | $0.170 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Street or Road Construction - Excavation | 0555 | $0.177 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Berry or Vegetable Farm | 0957 | $0.180 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Brewing Operations | 2953 | $0.181 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Railroad Shop Employees | 7421 | $0.182 | 14% | view |
| Pennsylvania | Cotton Gin | 0744 | $0.183 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Berry or Bush Fruit Farming | 0987 | $0.191 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Juice Canning | 2988 | $0.206 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Apiary Farm | 0972 | $0.215 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Planing Mill Operations | 2903 | $0.226 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Dairy Products Manufacturing | 2920 | $0.238 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Excavation | 0520 | $0.240 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Hay Pressing | 0752 | $0.248 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Dairy Farm | 0887 | $0.260 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Rice Farm | 0965 | $0.270 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Farm, Rice | 0472 | $0.281 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Sugar Beet Farm | 0977 | $0.291 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Christmas Tree Farming | 0997 | $0.299 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Aircraft Operation, News Gathering | 0936 | $0.314 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Mushroom Farm | 0961 | $0.323 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Mushroom Farm | 0902 | $0.329 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Lace or Embroidery Manufacturing | 2555 | $0.330 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Vegetable Farm | 0892 | $0.334 | - | view |
| Pennsylvania | Farm, Cattle Raising | 0488 | $0.336 | - | view |
Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive) This state
Pennsylvania coverage rules & benefits
Coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.
Max weekly benefit
$1,325 (66.67% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.
PPD weeks
260 weeks of permanent partial disability (whole-body schedule).
Statute of limitations
3 years from injury date to file the claim.
1099 contractor treatment
Pennsylvania uses a 'right to control' test and other factors to determine if a worker is an employee or independent contractor; misclassification can lead to penalties.
Owner exclusion
Allowed. Sole proprietor self-coverage: optional. LLC member self-coverage: optional.
State fund
State Workers' Insurance Fund is the state-administered carrier.
Estimate your premium in Pennsylvania
Pre-filled to Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania
$280to$87,900
Median: $12,425 · Rate range $0.056 to $17.58 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 Pennsylvania
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.
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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.
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Step 3, Get a quote (or use the state fund)
State Workers' Insurance Fund is one option; private carriers like Travelers, Hartford, and Liberty Mutual also write coverage in Pennsylvania. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Track payroll & subcontractors
General contractors are responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation or they may be held liable for the subcontractor's employees. Keep certificates of insurance for every sub.
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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.
Pennsylvania workers comp FAQs
Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in Pennsylvania?
All employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance.
What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in Pennsylvania?
The current maximum weekly benefit in Pennsylvania is $1,325 (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 Pennsylvania?
The statute of limitations for filing a workers compensation claim in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania uses a 'right to control' test and other factors to determine if a worker is an employee or independent contractor; misclassification can lead to penalties.
Can business owners exclude themselves from workers comp coverage in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Penalties for non-compliance include fines, imprisonment, and personal liability for all claim costs.
When does my workers comp carrier audit my payroll in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
General contractors are responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation or they may be held liable for the subcontractor's employees.