Workers' Compensation Insurance for Chiropractors Cost in 2025
In 2025, the average workers' comp rate for chiropractors is $0.27 per $100 of payroll. Workers’ comp insurance protects chiropractic employees by covering work-related injuries and ensures that business owners are protected from legal claims.
What is Workers' Comp Premium for Chiropractors based on?
Your workers' comp premium depends on several factors, such as:
Industry Risk
The cost of workers' comp insurance depends on how risky a job is. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) assigns each job a four-digit code to evaluate risk. These codes are based on the likelihood and severity of injuries in each industry, using historical data.
Chiropractors face moderate risks, such as musculoskeletal strain from patient manipulation and repetitive motions. While the risk is higher than desk jobs, it is still much lower than industries like construction, manufacturing, or even trades. For more details, check out our guide to Workers' Comp Codes for Chiropractors.
Payroll
Your workers' comp premium is calculated based on your estimated annual payroll. Larger payrolls lead to higher premiums. Chiropractors with bigger practices will pay more, but the rate per $100 of payroll is still moderate due to the manageable risk level.
Claims History
Your claims history has a direct impact on your premiums. A clean record with no claims for injuries like back strain or wrist issues will keep rates lower. Multiple claims, however, can lead to higher costs.
How are Chiropractor Workers' Comp Premiums calculated?
Here’s the formula to calculate your workers' comp premium:
Payroll ÷ 100 × Rate = Premium
Step 1: Calculate the Payroll
Determine the total annual payroll for all chiropractic employees.
If annual figures are unavailable, multiply hourly wages by weekly hours and then by the number of weeks worked per year.
Step 2: Find your Rate
Look up the workers' comp rate for your state and industry. The national average for chiropractors is $0.27 per $100 of payroll. Your existing policy will also include specific details about your rate.
Let's say you're a chiropractor based in Arkansas. You’re the owner and the main chiropractor, and your team includes one assistant and one receptionist. You, as the employer, can choose to exclude yourself from coverage. Your team needs to be covered by chiropractors' workers' compensation insurance, which you pay for and provide. Let's use the formula to figure out your premium.
Here’s the formula:
Payroll divided by 100 x rate = Premium
Step 1: Calculate Payroll
- The assistant earns $41/hour. Multiply that by 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year for an annual payroll of $85,280.
- The receptionist earns $19/hour. Multiply that by 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year for an annual payroll of $39,520.
Step 2: Find your Rate
All employees in a chiropractor’s office, including receptionists, fall under class code 8832. Arkansas’s rate for this class code is $0.13.
Note: In a chiropractor’s office, you cannot separate out clerical employees like receptionists into a different class code. All employees are classified under the same code.
Step 3: Apply the Formula
Now, let’s calculate the workers' comp premium for the office:
Total payroll: $85,280 (assistant) + $39,520 (receptionist) = $124,800
Premium: $124,800 ÷ 100 x $0.13 = $162 annual premium
Monthly Premium: $14 monthly premium
Remember, this calculation is a starting point. Your actual premium may vary based on factors like your experience modification rate, specific state regulations, and additional fees or taxes.
Kickstand Note:
In small chiropractic practices, the calculated premium may be very low, making it difficult to find a carrier. Carriers often require a minimum annual premium—typically $250 to $500—to offer coverage. This issue may also arise in larger practices where all chiropractors are LLC members who exclude themselves from coverage. Even if you find a carrier, they may adjust the premium to meet the minimum premium threshold.
Annual Cost of Workers' Comp for Chiropractors (8832)
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Disclaimer: All data has been derived by combining ZipRecruiter national payroll averages per industry with average rates of a national carrier partner. Figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not include taxes or additional fees. Additionally, while these numbers represent estimated manual premiums based on payroll, many carriers enforce minimum premiums, which can result in annual costs that are higher than the listed monthly amounts.
Does it matter where I buy a policy from?
Yes, it does. Getting the cheapest policy isn’t always the best route—what’s critical is finding coverage that protects your practice and your team.
Your chiropractic office deserves a provider that offers reliable policies, excellent service, and the financial ability to back claims.
Key considerations when choosing an insurance provider:
- Reputation: Trust matters. Go for a company with strong reviews and claim efficiency
- Financial Strength: Ensure they have the resources to handle claims swiftly
- Customer Service: A responsive team is crucial when dealing with workers’ comp issues
- Specialized Knowledge: Providers familiar with healthcare professionals can address your practice’s unique risks
How can I make Workers' Comp cheaper?
Chiropractic offices can lower their workers’ comp costs by focusing on these strategies:
Implement a Safety Program
- Train staff on proper patient lifting techniques to avoid back and muscle strains.
- Encourage the use of gloves and masks when working closely with patients to reduce exposure risks from direct contact.
Invest in Ergonomics
- Provide height-adjustable tables and ergonomic tools to minimize repetitive strain injuries.
- Encourage staff to wear supportive, comfortable footwear, especially since they’re on their feet much of the day.
Support new employees
- Offer comprehensive onboarding training for new staff, since many injuries occur early in a chiropractor's career.
Require 1099 Contractors to have Workers’ Comp Coverage
- Require 1099 contractors providing outside services to supply a Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing their own workers’ comp coverage. Avoid hiring uninsured contractors to minimize liability risks.
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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.
Mordechai Kamenetsky, co-founder and lead agent of Kickstand, is recognized as an expert in workers' compensation. He is passionate about helping small businesses manage risks and lower their workers' comp costs. In his articles, he educates readers and clients on the intricacies of workers' comp insurance.
