Study Shows North Dakota, Arkansas, West Virginia Had Lowest Workers’ Comp Rates

A new study shows North Dakota, Arkansas and West Virginia had the nation’s lowest workers’ compensation rates.

A biennial DCBS study ranks all 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on premium rates that were in effect Jan. 1, 2024.

It shows Oregon’s workers’ comp rates were among the lowest in the nation last year. The rates reflect statewide effort in workplace safety and cost control, according to the DCBS.

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.

North Dakota had the least expensive rates (50 cents), followed by Arkansas (53 cents) and West Virginia (54 cents). The study shows Hawaii had the most expensive rates, followed by New Jersey, New York and California.

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.