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Workers’ comp rates for electricians, state by state

Published 2026-06-05 · Updated 2026-06-11 · by Brokly

Required in nearly all states

Direct answer: workers’ comp is required in nearly every state once electrical contractors have employees — each state sets its own threshold and files its own rates. For NCCI class 5190 they span $0.98 to $5.96 per $100 of payroll (2024 filed) — New York is the most expensive, West Virginia the cheapest, and the median state pays $2.37. 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
$5.96 New York
as of 2024
Median state
$2.37 / $100 payroll
as of 2024
Lowest state
$0.98 West Virginia
as of 2024
Electrical contractors (NAICS 238210) covered
76,911 establishments in 42 states
as of CBP 2023
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How much is workers’ comp for electricians in each state?

Calculated manual rates, $ per $100 payroll, NCCI class 5190 (Electrical Wiring — Within Buildings), 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 electrical shop, modeled $/yrRank
Alabama$2.93≈$2.9k13
Alaska$2.23—29
Arizona$1.81≈$1.6k37
Arkansas$1.17≈$97049
California$2.78≈$2.8k15
Colorado$2.06≈$2.2k34
Connecticut$3.21≈$3.3k8
Delaware$2.09≈$2.1k32
District of Columbia$1.52—45
Florida$3.23≈$2.4k6
Georgia$2.93≈$2.6k12
Hawaii$4.46≈$4.8k3
Idaho$2.11≈$2.1k31
Illinois$3.38≈$3.3k4
Indiana$1.23≈$1.1k47
Iowa$1.76≈$1.6k39
Kansas$1.78≈$1.6k38
Kentucky$1.73≈$1.6k41
Louisiana$2.75≈$2.7k16
Maine$2.63—20
Maryland$2.35≈$2.4k27
Massachusetts$2.02≈$2.2k35
Michigan$1.73≈$1.8k40
Minnesota$2.67≈$2.9k19
Mississippi$2.28≈$2k28
Missouri$2.56≈$2.5k21
Montana$3.22≈$3k7
Nebraska$2.22≈$1.9k30
Nevada$1.53≈$1.6k44
New Hampshire$2.97≈$3.5k11
New Jersey$4.75≈$5k2
New Mexico$2.37≈$2.1k26
New York$5.96≈$5.4k1
North Carolina$2.71≈$2.2k18
North Dakota †$0.99—50
Ohio †$1.59—42
Oklahoma$2.87≈$2.3k14
Oregon$1.56≈$1.8k43
Pennsylvania$2.72≈$2.5k17
Rhode Island$2.41—25
South Carolina$3.09≈$3k9
South Dakota$2.51≈$2.3k24
Tennessee$2.00≈$2.5k36
Texas$2.51≈$2.5k23
Utah$1.21≈$1k48
Vermont$3.04—10
Virginia$1.38≈$1.2k46
Washington †$2.07—33
West Virginia$0.98≈$82051
Wisconsin$2.53≈$3k22
Wyoming †$3.32—5

† 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 electrical 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 (Electrical contractors (NAICS 238210)) (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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