Workers comp rates and rules in Virginia
Virginia has 743 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $1,414 (66.67% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 2 years. Verified 2026-05-08.
Class code rate comparison
The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in Virginia, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | Architects | 8603 | $0.010 | 7% | view |
| Virginia | Real Estate Clerical | 8803 | $0.010 | 9% | view |
| Virginia | Hospice Care - All Other | 8871 | $0.010 | 11% | view |
| Virginia | Christmas Tree Farming | 9740 | $0.010 | - | view |
| Virginia | College Other Employees | 8820 | $0.023 | 9% | view |
| Virginia | Clerical office | 8810 | $0.030 | 5% | view |
| Virginia | Telephone/Telegraph Companies | 8901 | $0.038 | 5% | view |
| Virginia | Ambulance Service | 7402 | $0.046 | 18% | view |
| Virginia | Salesperson, outside | 8742 | $0.063 | 9% | view |
| Virginia | Jewelry Salespersons | 8721 | $0.074 | 18% | view |
| Virginia | Advertising Sales | 8755 | $0.090 | 14% | view |
| Virginia | Boat Livery | 7453 N | $0.091 | 7% | view |
| Virginia | Consulting Engineers | 8601 | $0.093 | 18% | view |
| Virginia | Jewelry Stores | 8013 | $0.100 | 9% | view |
| Virginia | Sound Recording | 4360 | $0.110 | 20% | view |
| Virginia | Physician, non-surgical | 8832 | $0.112 | 19% | view |
| Virginia | College, non-faculty | 8868 | $0.127 | 18% | view |
| Virginia | RV Salespersons | 8748 | $0.136 | 14% | view |
| Virginia | Boat Livery | 7453 | $0.141 | 25% | view |
| Virginia | Vessel Operations NOC | 7445 N | $0.151 | 19% | view |
| Virginia | Barber, beauty parlor, hair stylist | 9586 | $0.151 | 5% | view |
| Virginia | Telecom Line Construction | 7610 | $0.152 | 14% | view |
| Virginia | Drug Manufacturing | 4511 | $0.167 | 19% | view |
| Virginia | Stevedoring Operations | 7431 | $0.172 | 12% | view |
| Virginia | Glassware Manufacturing | 4109 | $0.173 | 11% | view |
| Virginia | Electrical Wiring Devices Manufacturing | 3681 | $0.174 | 14% | view |
| Virginia | Railroad Shop Employees | 7421 | $0.194 | 18% | view |
| Virginia | Outside Sales - All Other | 8799 | $0.198 | 13% | view |
| Virginia | Landscape Gardening | 0771 N | $0.203 | 38% | view |
| Virginia | Interior Trim Installation | 5951 | $0.205 | 24% | view |
| Virginia | Storage Battery Manufacturing | 4692 | $0.220 | 14% | view |
| Virginia | House Furnishings Installation | 9411 | $0.221 | - | view |
| Virginia | Vessel Operations NOC | 7445 | $0.235 | 50% | view |
| Virginia | Retail Store - Shoe | 8072 | $0.249 | 22% | view |
| Virginia | Video Production | 4361 | $0.253 | 9% | view |
| Virginia | Building Operation - Theaters | 9012 | $0.260 | 17% | view |
| Virginia | Electrical Instrument Manufacturing | 3685 | $0.265 | 10% | view |
| Virginia | Office Machinery Manufacturing | 3826 | $0.271 | 25% | view |
| Virginia | YMCA, YWCA, gym | 9063 | $0.271 | 10% | view |
| Virginia | Asbestos Goods Manufacturing | 4149 | $0.272 | 12% | view |
| Virginia | Stevedoring Operations | 7431 N | $0.273 | 6% | view |
| Virginia | Retail Bakery | 8045 | $0.280 | 26% | view |
| Virginia | Glass Merchants | 4110 | $0.286 | 12% | view |
| Virginia | Health or Exercise Club | 9089 | $0.292 | 16% | view |
| Virginia | Brass, Bronze, Copper Foundry | 3119 | $0.299 | 19% | view |
| Virginia | Gas Manufacturing | 3574 | $0.317 | 9% | view |
| Virginia | Automobile Salespersons | 8720 | $0.323 | 14% | view |
| Virginia | Paint Manufacturing | 4581 | $0.324 | 18% | view |
| Virginia | Retail Stationery Store | 8047 | $0.324 | 19% | view |
| Virginia | Waterworks Company | 7515 | $0.332 | 18% | view |
Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive) This state
Virginia coverage rules & benefits
Coverage threshold
Employers with 3 or more employees, regular or part-time, are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.
Max weekly benefit
$1,414 (66.67% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.
TTD weeks
500 weeks of temporary total disability benefits.
PPD weeks
200 weeks of permanent partial disability (whole-body schedule).
Death benefit
Up to $719,500 in fatal-claim death benefits to dependents.
Statute of limitations
2 years from injury date to file the claim.
1099 contractor treatment
Individuals classified as independent contractors (1099) are generally not covered by workers' compensation, but their classification can be challenged based on the actual nature of the working relationship.
Owner exclusion
Allowed. Sole proprietor self-coverage: optional. LLC member self-coverage: optional.
Estimate your premium in Virginia
Pre-filled to Virginia. 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 Virginia
$835to$28,585
Median: $4,748 · Rate range $0.167 to $5.72 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 Virginia
-
Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
Employers with 3 or more employees, regular or part-time, are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.
-
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.
-
Step 3, Get a quote (or use the state fund)
Private carriers like Travelers, Hartford, and Liberty Mutual write coverage in Virginia. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
-
Step 4, Track payroll & subcontractors
General contractors are responsible for ensuring that their subcontractors carry workers' compensation insurance or for providing coverage for their subcontractors' employees. Keep certificates of insurance for every sub.
-
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.
Virginia workers comp FAQs
Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in Virginia?
Employers with 3 or more employees, regular or part-time, are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.
What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in Virginia?
The current maximum weekly benefit in Virginia is $1,414 (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 Virginia?
The statute of limitations for filing a workers compensation claim in Virginia 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 Virginia?
Individuals classified as independent contractors (1099) are generally not covered by workers' compensation, but their classification can be challenged based on the actual nature of the working relationship.
Can business owners exclude themselves from workers comp coverage in Virginia?
Yes, Virginia 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 Virginia?
Employers failing to carry required workers' compensation insurance may face civil penalties, fines, and potential criminal charges, and are personally liable for injured workers' medical expenses and lost wages.
When does my workers comp carrier audit my payroll in Virginia?
Virginia 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 Virginia?
General contractors are responsible for ensuring that their subcontractors carry workers' compensation insurance or for providing coverage for their subcontractors' employees.