Workers Comp Cost in North Carolina
2026 rates — mandatory for most North Carolina employers
Calculate Your North Carolina Workers Comp Cost
Workers Comp Rates by Industry — North Carolina 2026
| Industry Class | Risk Level | Rate / $100 payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Clerical / Office (8810) | Very Low | $0.20 – $0.45 |
| Retail / Wholesale (8017–8018) | Low | $0.80 – $2.00 |
| Restaurant / Food Service (9082) | Moderate | $1.50 – $3.50 |
| Light Manufacturing (3632) | Moderate | $2.00 – $5.00 |
| Trucking / Delivery (7219–7231) | High | $4.00 – $8.00 |
| Construction / Carpentry (5645) | High | $5.00 – $12.00 |
| Roofing (5551) | Very High | $8.00 – $18.00 |
Rates are advisory/illustrative. Actual North Carolina rates vary by carrier, your specific class codes, and Experience Mod.
Workers Comp in North Carolina — Key Facts
1. North Carolina Requirement & Market
Mandatory: YES — required for employers in North Carolina (check specific employee count thresholds)
Market: Private market (NCCI rates)
North Carolina uses NCCI (National Council on Compensation Insurance) for class code rate guidance. Workers' comp costs in North Carolina are near the national average. Compare multiple carriers for the best rates — differences of 20–40% for the same class code are common.
2. Top Cost Tips for North Carolina
North Carolina employers: (1) verify your class codes are correctly assigned — misclassification is common and can significantly inflate premiums; (2) implement a documented safety program — this qualifies for premium credits with many carriers; (3) pay-as-you-go workers' comp eliminates large audit surprises.
Compare Workers Comp Quotes in North Carolina
Rates vary 20–40% between carriers for identical coverage. Compare before your next renewal.
North Carolina Workers Comp Summary
- →Avg rate: $1.42 per $100 payroll
- →$500K payroll: ~$7,125/yr avg risk
- →Cost vs national: near average
- →Mandatory: Yes