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Workers’ comp rates for carpenters, 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 carpentry contractors have employees — each state sets its own threshold and files its own rates. For NCCI class 5437 they span $1.99 to $10.11 per $100 of payroll (2024 filed) — Minnesota is the most expensive, West Virginia the cheapest, and the median state pays $4.75. 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
$10.11 Minnesota
as of 2024
Median state
$4.75 / $100 payroll
as of 2024
Lowest state
$1.99 West Virginia
as of 2024
Finish carpentry contractors (NAICS 238350) covered
25,995 establishments in 25 states
as of CBP 2023
Workers’ compCommercial auto · benchmark comingContractor license bond · benchmark comingGeneral liability · benchmark comingTools & equipment · benchmark coming

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

Calculated manual rates, $ per $100 payroll, NCCI class 5437 (Carpentry — Cabinet and Trim Work), 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 carpentry shop, modeled $/yrRank
Alabama$4.79—25
Alaska$5.21—20
Arizona$2.90≈$2.3k46
Arkansas$2.76—48
California$5.42≈$5.1k18
Colorado$4.94≈$3.7k23
Connecticut$6.32—14
Delaware$3.74—38
District of Columbia$3.89—35
Florida$4.48≈$2.5k28
Georgia$7.12≈$5k6
Hawaii$6.69—9
Idaho$4.54≈$3k27
Illinois$8.47≈$5.9k4
Indiana$2.32≈$2k50
Iowa$3.97—34
Kansas$3.88—36
Kentucky$3.52—39
Louisiana$6.72—8
Maine$6.11—15
Maryland$4.40≈$3.7k30
Massachusetts$3.07≈$2.7k44
Michigan$5.13≈$4.1k21
Minnesota$10.11≈$7.4k1
Mississippi$4.84—24
Missouri$5.37≈$4k19
Montana$6.96—7
Nebraska$4.30—32
Nevada$3.26—42
New Hampshire$6.35—13
New Jersey$9.71≈$7.7k2
New Mexico$4.46—29
New York$8.28≈$5.9k5
North Carolina$4.38≈$3.1k31
North Dakota †$2.78—47
Ohio †$2.41—49
Oklahoma$5.57≈$3.4k17
Oregon$4.09≈$2.8k33
Pennsylvania$6.59≈$5.4k11
Rhode Island$6.61—10
South Carolina$6.36≈$4.7k12
South Dakota$5.01—22
Tennessee$3.15≈$2.9k43
Texas$2.93≈$2.5k45
Utah$3.27≈$2.2k41
Vermont$6.00—16
Virginia$3.76≈$2.7k37
Washington †$4.75—26
West Virginia$1.99—51
Wisconsin$8.67≈$6.6k3
Wyoming †$3.32—40

† 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 carpentry shop 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 (Finish carpentry contractors (NAICS 238350)) (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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