Ontario Workers' Compensation (WSIB) Calculator 2026
WSIB pays Ontario workers 85% of net weekly earnings if they're unable to work after a workplace injury. The 2026 maximum is approximately CA$1,988/week based on the CA$121,700 maximum insurable earnings. No waiting period — benefits start day one.
Adam Noah · Workers' Comp Research Analyst
Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy
About the authorEstimate Your WSIB Weekly Benefit
How WSIB Benefits Work in Ontario
The big thing to understand: WSIB pays based on your net earnings — what lands in your bank account after tax — not your gross pay. Ontario takes your gross weekly wage, subtracts federal tax, provincial tax, CPP, and EI, then pays 85% of what's left. In practice this works out to roughly 93–97% of your original take-home pay, because WSIB benefits themselves aren't taxed.
Unlike US workers' comp, there's no waiting period. Benefits start on day one of your lost-time injury. If you're off work for a single shift, WSIB covers it.
For most injuries, wage-loss benefits continue until you recover or reach what WSIB calls Maximum Medical Recovery. If you're left with a permanent impairment, WSIB pays a separate lump-sum Non-Economic Loss (NEL) award plus ongoing Future Economic Loss (FEL) payments if you can't earn what you did before.
WSIB Maximum Insurable Earnings 2026 Ontario
The 2026 WSIB Maximum Insurable Earnings ceiling is CA$121,700. That figure matters for two distinct groups: injured workers and employers. For workers, it's the salary level above which extra earnings don't count toward the weekly benefit calculation. For employers, it's the ceiling on insurable payroll — once a worker hits that salary, you stop paying WSIB premiums on their wages for the rest of the year.
The ceiling moves each year with the Ontario Industrial Aggregate wage index. Historical context:
| Year | Max Insurable | Max Weekly Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | CA$107,800 | ~CA$1,762 |
| 2023 | CA$110,000 | ~CA$1,798 |
| 2024 | CA$112,500 | ~CA$1,838 |
| 2025 | CA$117,000 | ~CA$1,910 |
| 2026 | CA$121,700 | ~CA$1,988 |
Source: WSIB 2026 Premium Rates. The 4% jump from 2025 to 2026 is the largest annual increase in a decade, reflecting Ontario wage growth. If you earn less than CA$121,700 annually, your full salary is covered. If you earn above, the portion over the ceiling isn't insured — neither for benefit calculation nor for your employer's premium liability.
Ontario WSIB Maximum Weekly Benefit 2026
| Maximum insurable earnings | CA$121,700/year |
| Benefit rate | 85% of net earnings |
| Maximum weekly benefit | ~CA$1,988/week |
| Waiting period | None (day 1 coverage) |
| Claim filing deadline | 6 months from injury |
| Benefits taxable? | No — tax-free |
Ontario vs Other Provinces
Ontario's 85% benefit rate is a bit lower than BC (90%) and Alberta (90%). But Ontario has one of the highest maximum insurable earnings in the country, which matters for higher-income workers.
| Province | Rate (net) | Max Insurable | Max Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | 90% | CA$127,500 | CA$2,211 |
| Ontario | 85% | CA$121,700 | CA$1,988 |
| Alberta | 90% | CA$110,900 | CA$1,920 |
WSIB Benefit Calculation: 3 Real Scenarios
The 85% of net earnings formula is simple in concept and annoying in practice. WSIB deducts federal tax, provincial tax, CPP, and EI to arrive at your net weekly wage, then pays 85% of that. Here's how it plays out at three different wage levels:
Scenario 1: Warehouse worker, $1,100/week gross
- Gross annual: CA$57,200
- Estimated federal tax: CA$5,800
- Estimated Ontario tax: CA$2,420
- CPP (5.95%): CA$3,403
- EI (1.66%): CA$949
- Net annual: ~CA$44,628 → Net weekly: ~CA$858
- WSIB benefit: 85% × $858 = CA$729/week
Take-home before injury: ~$858/week after tax. WSIB benefit: $729/week, tax-free. Real take-home gap is about $130/week, which is why the 85% rule works in practice.
Scenario 2: Electrician, $1,850/week gross
- Gross annual: CA$96,200
- Estimated federal tax: CA$13,450
- Estimated Ontario tax: CA$5,872
- CPP (5.95% capped at $68,500): CA$4,076
- EI (1.66% capped at $63,200): CA$1,049
- Net annual: ~CA$71,753 → Net weekly: ~CA$1,380
- WSIB benefit: 85% × $1,380 = CA$1,173/week
Scenario 3: Executive, $2,500/week gross (above max)
- Gross annual: CA$130,000 (exceeds the $121,700 insurable ceiling)
- Insured portion: CA$121,700 / 52 = CA$2,340/week
- Estimated net weekly at insured ceiling: ~CA$1,700
- WSIB benefit: 85% × $1,700 = CA$1,445/week (at max)
Anything earned above CA$121,700/year is not insured and doesn't count toward your benefit. For high earners, the effective replacement rate drops well below 85% of actual net earnings.
WSIB Employer Rates 2026
On the employer side, WSIB's 2026 average premium rate is CA$1.23 per CA$100 of insurable payroll — the lowest in over 50 years, down from CA$1.25 in 2025. Actual rates are set by industry class.
- • Construction: approximately CA$1.61 per CA$100
- • General manufacturing: CA$1.50–3.50 per CA$100 depending on subsector
- • Office and clerical: around CA$0.20 per CA$100
- • Retail: CA$0.50–1.20 per CA$100
Source: WSIB 2026 premium rates (wsib.ca/en/2026premiumrates).
WSIB Premium Calculator — Walkthrough for Ontario Employers
Calculating your WSIB premium isn't just rate-times-payroll. Here's the actual formula most Ontario employers get wrong, and the three adjustments that move the final number up or down.
- Insurable payroll. Total wages paid to workers up to CA$121,700 per worker per year. Overtime, bonuses, and commission count. A worker earning CA$140,000 is only insured to CA$121,700 — the extra $18,300 is excluded from your premium base.
- Class rate. WSIB assigns one of 34 class rates based on your industry. Office/clerical is around $0.20/$100; general construction is $1.61/$100; roofing and framing run $4.50+/$100.
- NEER (New Experimental Experience Rating). This multiplier reflects your 3-year claim history. Clean history = multiplier below 1.0 (rebate). Bad claim history = multiplier above 1.0 (surcharge). Can swing your premium up to ±40%.
- Pre-2026 payroll audit. WSIB reconciles actual payroll against estimated payroll each year. Under-report your payroll and face penalties; over-report and get a refund.
Worked example: Toronto restaurant, 12 employees
- Total annual payroll: CA$540,000 (12 staff averaging CA$45K)
- Class rate (restaurant/food service): CA$1.45/$100
- NEER factor: 1.00 (neutral claim history)
- Premium calculation: (540,000 ÷ 100) × 1.45 × 1.00 = CA$7,830/year
- Cost per employee: CA$653/year, or CA$54/month
Most Common Ontario Workers' Comp Claims by Industry
After reviewing WSIB's 2026 claim data, seven injury patterns show up overwhelmingly. If you work in one of these industries, knowing which claim types are most common in your sector helps you understand what to document when you file.
| Industry | Top Claim Type |
|---|---|
| Construction | Back injuries from lifting |
| Healthcare / Long-term Care | Patient handling back injury |
| Manufacturing | Hand/finger crush injury |
| Retail | Slip and fall |
| Trucking / Transport | Motor vehicle accident |
| Restaurant / Food Service | Burns + slip on wet floor |
| Office / Clerical | Repetitive strain (wrist/neck) |
Time-loss days figures are WSIB 2026 averages for approved lost-time claims. Your specific recovery time depends on injury severity and treatment response.
WSIB for World Cup 2026 Toronto Workers
Toronto hosts 6 FIFA World Cup matches at BMO Field (2026 capacity ~45,000 after expansion). All W-2 event workers — security, hospitality, stadium staff, construction, transportation — are covered by WSIB from day one. H-2B visa workers brought in for the event are also covered under Canadian workers' comp law.
Injured at a match or during setup? Report to your employer immediately and call WSIB at 1-800-387-0750 or file online at wsib.ca. The 6-month deadline applies — don't wait.
Full World Cup 2026 worker rights guide →FAQ
What does WSIB pay in Ontario?▾
WSIB pays 85% of your net average earnings (your after-tax weekly wage). The maximum insurable earnings for 2026 is CA$121,700, which caps the weekly benefit at roughly CA$1,988. Benefits start from day one — there's no waiting period in Ontario, unlike most US states.
How is WSIB benefit calculated in Ontario 2026?▾
WSIB takes your pre-injury gross earnings, deducts federal and provincial income tax, CPP, and EI to get net earnings, then pays 85% of that net figure. The 2026 maximum insurable earnings is CA$121,700, so the benefit is capped at roughly CA$1,988 per week (CA$121,700 × 85% ÷ 52).
Is WSIB benefit taxable in Ontario?▾
No. WSIB wage-loss benefits are not taxable — you receive the full amount tax-free. This is one reason the 85% of net earnings figure is actually very close to 100% of your original take-home pay.
How long does WSIB last in Ontario?▾
Wage-loss benefits continue as long as you're medically unable to do your pre-injury job or an equivalent one, up to age 65 for most workers. For permanent impairment, WSIB pays a separate Non-Economic Loss (NEL) award plus Future Economic Loss (FEL) benefits if you can't return to your prior earnings.
What is the WSIB claim deadline in Ontario?▾
You have 6 months from the date of injury to file a claim with WSIB. Report the injury to your employer the same day if possible. Waiting too long is the most common reason claims get denied.