Workers’ comp insurance cost for bars in Wisconsin

Q: What does workers' comp cost bars and taverns in Wisconsin?

Modeled from the 2024 filed manual rate of $1.63 per $100 of payroll: a <5-employee bar lands around $320–$1.3k per year before experience mods and schedule credits.

Q: What drives the rate up or down?

Three levers: payroll (the exposure base), claims history (the experience modifier), and schedule credits/debits the insurer applies. Bars and taverns fall under NCCI class 9084 (Bar, Lounge, Tavern) — establishments serving alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption; restaurants (classes 9082 and 9083) are rated separately.

Published 2026-06-11 · by Brokly

Direct answer: Wisconsin bars and taverns pay a filed workers’-comp manual rate of $1.63 per $100 of payroll (2024 filed rate) — the 4th-highest of 51 US jurisdictions. Modeled on real payrolls, most <5-employee bars and taverns land around $320–$1.3k/yr, before experience mods and schedule credits.

53% of WI bars and taverns have <5 employees — the chart below prices every size band from its own observed payroll.
Wisconsin sits 4th of 51: CA pays more ($3.11), ID less ($1.48).
Workers’ comp is one of several coverages — see everything your bar needs in Wisconsin →

What do Wisconsin bars and taverns pay for workers’ comp?

Modeled annual premium across the real size distribution of WI bars and taverns

bar height = how many bars and taverns are that size · figures = modeled annual cost

typical · most WI bars and taverns

▼

<5 emp

≈$600/yr

5–9 emp

≈$1.6k/yr

10–19 emp

≈$3.5k/yr

20–49 emp

≈$9k/yr

50–99 emp

≈$16k/yr

SMALLER

MID-SIZE

LARGER

A <5-employee WI bar: modeled $320–$1.3k/yr in workers’-comp premium (that band’s own average wage, before experience mods and schedule credits). Bar heights show how many of the 2,739 WI bars and taverns fall in each size band.

Cohort: size distribution of 2,739 WI bars and taverns (Census CBP 2023); premiums modeled from one filed rate ($1.63/$100 payroll, 2024). Bands shown cover 2,739 of 2,739 establishments (100.0%). 2023 payroll dollars, not inflation-adjusted. Illustrative benchmark — not a quote or coverage recommendation.

Filed manual rate (WI)

$1.63 / $100 payroll

as of 2024

Typical <5-employee bar (53% of WI)

$320–$1.3k / yr modeled

as of 2024 · CBP 2023

Sources: Oregon DCBS workers' compensation premium rate ranking study, June 2025 (calendar-year 2024 rates) (as of calendar year 2024, retrieved 2026-06-04) · US Census County Business Patterns 2023, state file (Drinking places, alcoholic beverages (NAICS 722410)) (as of 2023, retrieved 2026-06-05)

How does Wisconsin compare to nearby ranks?

Calculated manual rates, $ per $100 payroll, NCCI class 9084 (Bar, Lounge, Tavern), 2024. See all 51 jurisdictions →

Rank	State	Rate / $100 payroll
1	California	$3.11
2	Hawaii	$2.67
3	New Jersey	$2.54
4	Wisconsin	$1.63
5	Rhode Island	$1.55
6	Oklahoma	$1.52
7	Maine	$1.50
8	Connecticut	$1.48

Sources: Oregon DCBS workers' compensation premium rate ranking study, June 2025 (calendar-year 2024 rates) (as of calendar year 2024, retrieved 2026-06-04)

Frequently asked questions

What does workers' comp cost bars and taverns in Wisconsin?

Modeled from the 2024 filed manual rate of $1.63 per $100 of payroll: a <5-employee bar lands around $320–$1.3k per year before experience mods and schedule credits.

What drives the rate up or down?

Three levers: payroll (the exposure base), claims history (the experience modifier), and schedule credits/debits the insurer applies. Bars and taverns fall under NCCI class 9084 (Bar, Lounge, Tavern) — establishments serving alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption; restaurants (classes 9082 and 9083) are rated separately.

Bars in nearby-ranked states: New Jersey ($2.54) · California ($3.11) · Missouri ($1.45) · Alabama ($1.42)

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Illustrative benchmark — not a quote or coverage recommendation. Figures are modeled from public filings and Census data for 2,739 Wisconsin bars and taverns; your premium depends on your payroll, claims history, and carrier.