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Workers’ comp rates for bars, state by state

Published 2026-06-11 · by Brokly

Required in nearly all states

Direct answer: workers’ comp is required in nearly every state once bars and taverns have employees — each state sets its own threshold and files its own rates. For NCCI class 9084 they span $0.49 to $3.11 per $100 of payroll (2024 filed) — California is the most expensive, West Virginia the cheapest, and the median state pays $1.14. Pick your state below for its mandate and modeled dollar costs by business size.

Requirement: NAIC — Small Business Insurance. Thresholds vary by state — your state’s guide below has the statute.

Highest state
$3.11 California
as of 2024
Median state
$1.14 / $100 payroll
as of 2024
Lowest state
$0.49 West Virginia
as of 2024
Drinking places, alcoholic beverages (NAICS 722410) covered
32,610 establishments in 28 states
as of CBP 2023
Workers’ compLiquor liability · benchmark comingGeneral liability · benchmark comingCommercial property · benchmark comingCyber insurance · benchmark coming

How much is workers’ comp for bars in each state?

Calculated manual rates, $ per $100 payroll, NCCI class 9084 (Bar, Lounge, Tavern), 2024. The study notes rates “may include loss cost multipliers and assessments.” Alphabetical; rank 1 = most expensive of 51. Linked state names open the state’s coverage guide; linked rates open the cost breakdown.

StateRate / $100 payrollTypical bar, modeled $/yrRank
Alabama$1.42≈$94013
Alaska$1.33—15
Arizona$0.88≈$1.4k35
Arkansas$0.63—49
California$3.11≈$2.3k1
Colorado$1.23≈$85022
Connecticut$1.48—8
Delaware$0.85—39
District of Columbia$0.74—44
Florida$1.12≈$82027
Georgia$1.31—16
Hawaii$2.67—2
Idaho$1.48—9
Illinois$1.26≈$65020
Indiana$0.76—42
Iowa$0.98≈$36031
Kansas$0.87≈$34036
Kentucky$0.64≈$30048
Louisiana$1.28≈$65018
Maine$1.50—7
Maryland$0.85≈$55038
Massachusetts$0.81≈$76041
Michigan$0.87≈$50037
Minnesota$1.26≈$68019
Mississippi$0.99—30
Missouri$1.45≈$80012
Montana$1.29≈$60017
Nebraska$1.06≈$42028
Nevada$0.69—46
New Hampshire$1.34—14
New Jersey$2.54≈$1.8k3
New Mexico$1.18—25
New York$1.14≈$75026
North Carolina$0.93≈$55033
North Dakota †$0.68—47
Ohio †$0.52—50
Oklahoma$1.52—6
Oregon$0.92≈$1.5k34
Pennsylvania$1.00≈$44029
Rhode Island$1.55—5
South Carolina$1.24≈$86021
South Dakota$1.22≈$58024
Tennessee$0.72≈$67045
Texas$0.81≈$60040
Utah$0.75—43
Vermont$1.47—11
Virginia$0.95—32
Washington †$1.22—23
West Virginia$0.49≈$19051
Wisconsin$1.63≈$6004
Wyoming †$1.48—10

† state-fund jurisdiction — workers’ comp is purchased through the state, not a private market. Unlinked states lack a published rate or a defensible business-size cohort. Modeled — not quotes: each figure prices that state’s most common bar size band from the state’s own observed payroll (CBP 2023), so dollar order can differ from rate rank.

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)

Frequently asked questions

Why do rates for the same trade differ several-fold between states?

Each state approves its own rates from its own claims experience — benefit levels, medical costs, and litigation environments differ. The rate is per $100 of payroll, so state wage levels move the dollar premium too.

Is the rate what I’ll actually pay?

No — it’s the filed starting point. Your payroll sets the base, your claims history (experience mod) scales it, and insurer schedule credits move it further. Illustrative benchmark — not a quote or coverage recommendation.

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