Missouri to See Small Increase in Workers’ Comp Rates in 2026

The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) announced that workers’ compensation rates will increase slightly for employers for 2026.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) proposed a slight 1.3% increase for 2026 workers’ compensation loss costs, marking only the second increase in the past six years as Missouri continues to see a long-term downward trend in workplace injury frequency, DCI said.

The NCCI’s proposed average changes in loss costs by industry group are shown below:

• Manufacturing: +2.9%
• Contracting: +0.3%
• Office & Clerical: +2.1%
• Goods & Services: +0.4%
• Miscellaneous: +1.8%

“This small increase reflects the natural year-to-year fluctuations we expect in a healthy insurance market,” DCI Director Angela Nelson said. “Missouri’s overall trend remains positive, continuing to deliver affordable coverage for employers while ensuring workers are protected when injuries occur.”

Workers’ compensation was mandated by state law in Missouri in 1925. It is a “no-fault” insurance system that pays benefits to workers injured on the job to cover medical care, part of lost wages and permanent disability. In return, employers receive immunity from civil lawsuits by employees over such workplace injuries.

Source: DCI

Topics Trends Workers' Compensation Pricing Trends Missouri