Massachusetts workers’ compensation insurance rates depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your company, its annual payroll, and the industry you're in. For 2025, we’ve compiled a list of rates and monthly premiums for common industries, courtesy of one of our leading partner carriers.
Here’s a list of the state's most common industries and the corresponding rates from one of our partner carriers:
Please note that these rates are approximate and can vary depending on factors such as the specific occupation and the carrier you choose. For more accurate quotes tailored to your business, it's important to speak with an experienced insurance agent.
To calculate your Massachusetts workers' comp premium, you need to consider a few main factors: the number of employees you have, the type of work they do, your payroll, your risk exposure, and your industry. The basic formula to estimate your workers' comp cost is as follows:
Workers' Comp Rate x (Payroll/$100) = Premium
The classification code rate is determined by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) or your state. You can find your rate in the chart above or ask an agent.
Let's consider a hypothetical example. Suppose you own a small retail store in Massachusetts with five employees. Your annual payroll is $250,000, and you have a workers' classification code rate of $1.28.
Using the formula above, your workers' comp premium calculation would be:
$1.28 (Rate) x ($250,000/$100) = $3,200
In this example, your estimated workers' comp premium for 2025 would be $3,250 annually, or $271 monthly, plus taxes and fees.
Keep in mind that this formula provides a rough estimate of your workers' comp premium.
To receive a more accurate quote, you should contact an insurance company specializing in workers' compensation coverage in Massachusetts. They will consider additional factors specific to your business and provide a tailored quote for your needs.
Another factor affecting your workers' compensation premium is the experience modification (ExMod) rate. ExMod is a value that assesses your business's history of claims in comparison to other businesses in the same industry.
A higher ExMod means higher premiums, while a lower one can result in lower premiums. To maintain a low ExMod, make sure your employees are aware of potential hazards and encourage prompt incident reporting.
Implementing safety programs in your workplace can significantly impact your workers' compensation premium.
A comprehensive safety program provides training, guidelines, and resources to create a safety-conscious work culture. This results in fewer accidents and minimizes insurance claims, leading to lower premiums.
Now that you have a basic understanding of how workers' comp premiums are calculated in Massachusetts, feel free to use our instant quoter to get a more accurate estimate for your business.
Don't forget to browse our resources for additional guidance on workers' compensation insurance and protecting your business.
Note: The rates listed above have been provided by one of our partner insurance carriers, and were accurate at the time of publishing and for illustrative purposes only and may not reflect actual current rates for workers' compensation insurance in Massachusetts at this time. Various factors, such as claim history and business experience can affect the rate as well. Business owners should consult with an insurance agent or the NCCI for accurate and up-to-date rate information.
Note: The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal or insurance advice. Laws and regulations regarding workers' compensation insurance are complex and vary by state and by specific circumstances. Therefore, readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified legal or insurance professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem they might have.