Workers Comp Cost in Virginia
2026 rates — mandatory for most Virginia employers
Calculate Your Virginia Workers Comp Cost
Workers Comp Rates by Industry — Virginia 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 Virginia rates vary by carrier, your specific class codes, and Experience Mod.
Workers Comp in Virginia — Key Facts
1. Virginia Requirement & Market
Mandatory: YES — required for employers in Virginia (check specific employee count thresholds)
Market: Private market (NCCI rates)
Virginia uses NCCI (National Council on Compensation Insurance) for class code rate guidance. Workers' comp costs in Virginia are above 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 Virginia
Virginia 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 Virginia
Rates vary 20–40% between carriers for identical coverage. Compare before your next renewal.
Virginia Workers Comp Summary
- →Avg rate: $1.62 per $100 payroll
- →$500K payroll: ~$8,100/yr avg risk
- →Cost vs national: above average
- →Mandatory: Yes