Workers comp rates and rules in Washington
Washington has 321 workers comp class codes with filed rates, a maximum weekly benefit of $1,412 (60% of average weekly wage), and a statute of limitations of 1 year. Verified 2026-05-08.
Class code rate comparison
The top 50 workers comp class codes filed in Washington, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington monopolistic | Beekeeping | 0541 | $0.019 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Street or Road Construction - Paving | 0551 | $0.032 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Fish Hatchery Operations | 0540 | $0.040 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Gas Works Operation | 6901 | $0.068 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Hog Farming | 0550 | $0.090 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Trucking, Local Hauling | 7204 | $0.191 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Trucking, Long Haul | 7205 | $0.191 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Interior Stone & Tile Work | 5302 | $0.206 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Boot or Shoe Repair | 4904 | $0.222 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Oil/Gas Well Perforating | 1304 | $0.232 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Local Trucking | 7202 | $0.232 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Stevedoring | 7100 | $0.233 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Water Main Construction - N.O.C. | 6502 | $0.237 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Railroad Operation - Maintenance of Way | 7105 | $0.237 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Stone Cutting & Polishing | 5301 | $0.243 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Railroad Operation - Shop Employees | 7104 | $0.258 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Stevedoring - Containerized Freight | 7101 | $0.260 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Leather Wallet or Handbag Manufacturing | 4909 | $0.288 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Leather Tanning or Finishing | 4901 | $0.289 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Iron & Steel Shop Work | 5306 | $0.292 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Iron/Steel Erection - Bridges | 6303 | $0.302 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Structural Steel Fabrication | 5305 | $0.310 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Chemical Manufacturing, N.O.C. | 4502 | $0.323 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Leather Belt Manufacturing | 4907 | $0.324 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Oil/Gas Well Drilling | 6411 | $0.329 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Waterproofing Contractor | 4902 | $0.337 | 5% | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Tunnel Construction | 6604 | $0.342 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Telecommunications Office | 4911 | $0.354 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Iron/Steel Erection - Other | 6308 | $0.392 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Stone Crushing | 5300 | $0.392 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Plumbing | 6503 | $0.397 | 6% | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Sewer Construction - N.O.C. | 6501 | $0.400 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Machinery Manufacturing | 3602 | $0.406 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Trucking - Long Haul | 7203 | $0.421 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Railroad Construction | 6103 | $0.429 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Leather Luggage Manufacturing | 4908 | $0.432 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Vessel Fueling | 6512 | $0.433 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Iron & Steel Rolling Mill | 5308 | $0.439 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Iron/Steel Erection - Buildings | 6305 | $0.440 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Excavation - For Foundations | 6203 | $0.443 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Leather Glove Manufacturing | 4906 | $0.465 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Railroad Operation - Yardmen | 7109 | $0.466 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Plastic Fabrication | 4814 | $0.468 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Electric Utility Field | 6909 | $0.469 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Cable Laying - Underground | 6506 | $0.471 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Excavation | 6204 | $0.489 | 4% | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Metal Pattern Manufacturing | 3901 | $0.497 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Underwater Construction | 6607 | $0.501 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Iron/Steel Erection - Structural | 6301 | $0.503 | - | view |
| Washington monopolistic | Railroad Operation - shop work | 6704 | $0.507 | 6% | view |
Bottom quartile (cheap) Mid Top quartile (expensive) This state
Washington coverage rules & benefits
Coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation coverage.
Max weekly benefit
$1,412 (60% of average weekly wage), effective 2024.
Statute of limitations
1 year from injury date to file the claim.
1099 contractor treatment
Washington has strict criteria for independent contractor status; workers are presumed employees unless specific conditions are met, making misclassification a significant risk.
Owner exclusion
Allowed. Sole proprietor self-coverage: optional. LLC member self-coverage: optional.
State fund
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is the state-administered carrier (monopolistic, only carrier in state).
Estimate your premium in Washington
Pre-filled to Washington. 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 Washington
$1,214to$17,609
Median: $6,016 · Rate range $0.243 to $3.52 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 Washington
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation coverage.
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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)
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is one option; private carriers like Travelers, Hartford, and Liberty Mutual also write coverage in Washington. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Track payroll & subcontractors
General contractors are generally responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation coverage; otherwise, the general contractor may be liable for injuries to the subcontractor's employees. Keep certificates of insurance for every sub.
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Step 5, Annual audit
Carriers audit payroll L&I can audit at any time to verify payroll and classification.. Have payroll segregated by class code, job descriptions on file, and overtime properly excluded from rated payroll.
Washington workers comp FAQs
Who has to carry workers compensation insurance in Washington?
All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation coverage.
What is the maximum weekly workers comp benefit in Washington?
The current maximum weekly benefit in Washington is $1,412 (effective 2024). Benefits are typically 60% of the average weekly wage, capped at the state maximum.
How long do I have to file a workers comp claim in Washington?
The statute of limitations for filing a workers compensation claim in Washington 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 Washington?
Washington has strict criteria for independent contractor status; workers are presumed employees unless specific conditions are met, making misclassification a significant risk.
Can business owners exclude themselves from workers comp coverage in Washington?
Yes, Washington 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 Washington?
Employers failing to provide coverage face fines, penalties, and potential criminal charges, and are personally liable for injured workers' benefits.
When does my workers comp carrier audit my payroll in Washington?
Washington typically requires a payroll audit L&I can audit at any time to verify payroll and classification.. 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 Washington?
General contractors are generally responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation coverage; otherwise, the general contractor may be liable for injuries to the subcontractor's employees.