TN · NCCI

Workers comp rates and rules in Tennessee

Tennessee has 604 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $1,090 (66.67% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 1 year. Verified 2026-05-08.

Cheapest code $0.020 Architects
Median rate $0.120 across 50 top codes
Priciest code $0.270 Video Production

Class code rate comparison

The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in Tennessee, 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
Tennessee Architects 8603 $0.020 33% view
Tennessee Real Estate Clerical 8803 $0.020 32% view
Tennessee Hospice Care - All Other 8871 $0.020 32% view
Tennessee Ambulance Service 7402 $0.050 29% view
Tennessee Furniture Salespersons 8723 $0.050 33% view
Tennessee Medical Office Clerical 8805 $0.050 29% view
Tennessee Clerical office 8810 $0.050 27% view
Tennessee Telemarketing Clerical 8814 $0.050 36% view
Tennessee College Other Employees 8820 $0.050 32% view
Tennessee Hospice Care 8855 $0.050 33% view
Tennessee Telemarketing Clerical 8814 M $0.060 25% view
Tennessee Telephone/Telegraph Companies 8901 $0.060 20% view
Tennessee Medical Office Clerical 8805 M $0.070 25% view
Tennessee Consulting Engineers 8601 $0.080 14% view
Tennessee Vessel Operations NOC 7445 N $0.090 6% view
Tennessee Jewelry Salespersons 8721 $0.090 24% view
Tennessee Property Management NOC 8737 $0.090 36% view
Tennessee Physician, non-surgical 8832 $0.090 14% view
Tennessee Advertising Sales 8755 $0.100 19% view
Tennessee Clerical Telecommuter Employees 8815 $0.100 57% view
Tennessee Insurance Adjusters 8734 $0.110 43% view
Tennessee Salesperson, outside 8742 $0.110 27% view
Tennessee College, non-faculty 8868 $0.110 9% view
Tennessee Sound Recording 4360 $0.120 27% view
Tennessee Jewelry Stores 8013 $0.120 18% view
Tennessee Clerical Telecommuter Employees 8815 M $0.120 25% view
Tennessee Property Management NOC 8737 M $0.130 25% view
Tennessee Livery Service 7405 $0.140 5% view
Tennessee Boat Livery 7453 N $0.150 20% view
Tennessee Insurance Adjusters 8734 M $0.150 25% view
Tennessee Drug Manufacturing 4511 $0.160 14% view
Tennessee Telecom Line Construction 7610 $0.160 23% view
Tennessee Landscape Gardening 0771 N $0.170 19% view
Tennessee Livery Service 7405 N $0.170 6% view
Tennessee RV Salespersons 8748 $0.170 18% view
Tennessee Adult Day Care 8856 $0.170 18% view
Tennessee Barber, beauty parlor, hair stylist 9586 $0.180 27% view
Tennessee Glassware Manufacturing 4109 $0.190 28% view
Tennessee Interior Trim Installation 5951 $0.190 10% view
Tennessee Stevedoring Operations 7431 $0.190 18% view
Tennessee Residential Property Management 8738 $0.190 50% view
Tennessee Outside Sales - All Other 8799 $0.210 25% view
Tennessee Retail Store - Shoe 8072 $0.230 17% view
Tennessee Railroad Shop Employees 7421 $0.240 27% view
Tennessee Fruit & Vegetable Stores 8015 $0.250 15% view
Tennessee Retail Bakery 8045 $0.250 16% view
Tennessee Brass, Bronze, Copper Foundry 3119 $0.260 13% view
Tennessee Office Machinery Manufacturing 3826 $0.260 15% view
Tennessee Video Production 4361 $0.270 14% view
Tennessee Storage Battery Manufacturing 4692 $0.270 23% view

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

Tennessee coverage rules & benefits

Coverage threshold

Employers with 5 or more employees are generally required to carry workers' compensation insurance, with exceptions for certain industries.

Max weekly benefit

$1,090 (66.67% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.

TTD weeks

400 weeks of temporary total disability benefits.

PPD weeks

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

Death benefit

Up to $527,600 in fatal-claim death benefits to dependents.

Statute of limitations

1 year from injury date to file the claim.

1099 contractor treatment

Workers are generally presumed to be employees unless they meet specific criteria for independent contractor status, often based on control and economic dependence.

Owner exclusion

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

Estimate your premium in Tennessee

Pre-filled to Tennessee. 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 Tennessee

$800to$118,050

Median: $4,850 · Rate range $0.160 to $23.61 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 Tennessee

  1. Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold

    Employers with 5 or more employees are generally required to carry workers' compensation insurance, with exceptions for certain industries.

  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 Tennessee. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.

  4. Step 4, Track payroll & subcontractors

    General contractors are generally liable for the workers' compensation coverage of uninsured subcontractors and their 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: Penalties for non-compliance include fines, stop-work orders, and potential criminal charges, with employers liable for all medical expenses and lost wages.

Tennessee workers comp FAQs

Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in Tennessee?

Employers with 5 or more employees are generally required to carry workers' compensation insurance, with exceptions for certain industries.

What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in Tennessee?

The current maximum weekly benefit in Tennessee is $1,090 (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 Tennessee?

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

Workers are generally presumed to be employees unless they meet specific criteria for independent contractor status, often based on control and economic dependence.

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

Yes, Tennessee 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 Tennessee?

Penalties for non-compliance include fines, stop-work orders, and potential criminal charges, with employers liable for all medical expenses and lost wages.

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

Tennessee 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 Tennessee?

General contractors are generally liable for the workers' compensation coverage of uninsured subcontractors and their employees.

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