Employers Complain of Rising Premiums,
But Workers’ Comp Is at 25-Year Low
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Despite the drumbeat of complaints about costs, employers are paying the lowest rates for workers’ compensation insurance than at any time in the past 25 years, even as the costs of health care have increased dramatically. Related Story »
In 2014, employers in North Dakota paid the least, averaging $0.88 for every $100 they paid workers in wages. In 1988, North Dakota averaged $2.39.
California employers pay the most: $3.48, which is still far cheaper than the rates they paid in 1988.
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Average Premium Cost to Employer per $100 of Worker's Wages
Source: Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services.
Note: There are two additional data sources available for understanding employer costs in regards to workers' compensation — the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Academy of Social Insurance. ProPublica selected Oregon's data because it was the most suited for comparisons between states. While all three studies vary in exact cost from year to year, the downward trend is reflected in all three. A specific company's premium will be determined by its industry, injury experience, and any discounts offered by its insurance company.
See how much less employers pay for workers' comp compared to other services