Study Shows Oregon Ranked 14th in US for Workers’ Comp Rates

Oregon’s workers’ compensation rates were among the lowest in the nation last year, according to an analysis released from the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services.

The rates reflect statewide effort in workplace safety and cost control, according to the DCBS. The biennial DCBS study ranks all 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on premium rates that were in effect Jan. 1, 2024.

According to the study, Oregon had the 14th least expensive rates in 2024. The state fell in the rankings by four spots from the 2022 study because rates in other states dropped further. That fall was despite the state’s lower premium index rate, which was 89 cents per $100 of payroll, down from 93 cents from 2022 and its lowest rate in the history of the study.

Oregon workers’ comp rates have declined another 3.2% since the 2024 effective date used in the study, according to DCBS.

DCBS researchers also compared each state’s rates to the national median rate of $1.09 per $100 of payroll. Oregon’s rate of 89 cents was 82% of the median.

The study shows Hawaii had the most expensive rates, followed by New Jersey, New York and California. Meanwhile, North Dakota had the least expensive rates. Washington’s rates were the 12th most expensive, and Idaho was the 25th most expensive.

The top 10 states for highest workers’ comp rates as ranked by the DCBS:

Researchers calculated rates for each state using the same mix of the 50 industries with the highest workers’ comp claims costs in Oregon.

Topics USA Workers' Compensation Oregon