Construction Worker Workers Comp Rates, Benefits & Settlements

Construction is one of the highest-risk occupations in the US. One in five workplace fatalities happens on a construction site, and nearly 20% of all workers comp claims come from this industry. If you work framing, concrete, electrical, plumbing, or general construction, your workers comp rights are broader than most workers realize.

Adam Noah - Workers' Comp Research Analyst

Adam Noah · Workers' Comp Research Analyst

Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy

About the author

Class Code

5403

WC Insurance Rate

$5.50 per $100 of payroll

Risk Level

Very High

Example annual premium for construction worker with $50,000 annual payroll: $2,750 per employee. Varies by state, carrier, and experience modifier.

Calculate Your Construction Worker Workers Comp Benefits

Enter your state and weekly wage to see your estimated workers comp weekly benefit and total projected payout.

Step 1 of 2Your Situation

Your Situation

Tell us about your state and wages to calculate your benefits.

Optional — helps calculate your waiting period start date.

$/week

Your gross wages for the 13 weeks before injury, divided by 13. Include overtime, bonuses, and tips if they were regular.

Most Common Construction Worker Workplace Injuries

These are the injury patterns we see most frequently in construction worker workers comp claims, ranked by frequency. Click any injury type to see the dedicated settlement calculator for that specific injury.

Injury TypeAvg Settlement
Back / Spine Injury$91,844
Falls from Height$125,000
Knee Injury (Concrete, Falls)$64,063
Shoulder (Overhead Work, Falls)$55,000
Head / TBI (Struck-by, Falls)$91,844
Hand / Power Tool Injuries$29,441
Foot / Crush Injuries$23,827

Settlement averages from National Safety Council and state workers comp board data. Your specific settlement depends on severity, state, wage, and case specifics.

Key Facts for Construction Workers

  • •Construction has the highest tariff-free class code rates in the workers comp system (5403-5606).
  • •Subcontractors without their own coverage are usually covered by the general contractor's policy.
  • •Federal projects require workers comp coverage under the Longshore Act or state law.
  • •OSHA violations don't change your workers comp rights — you can still collect even if safety rules were broken.
  • •Construction injuries are often eligible for third-party claims against equipment manufacturers or subcontractors on top of workers comp.

Injured On the Job? Get a Free Case Review

A workers' comp attorney can review your claim, negotiate a higher settlement, and protect your job. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

Find a Workers' Comp Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions — Construction Worker

What is the workers comp rate for construction workers?▾

Class code 5403 (general carpentry) averages $5.50 per $100 of payroll nationally. Higher-risk codes like 5606 (concrete) or 5551 (roofing) run $7-$15 per $100. Actual rates vary by state, carrier, and your experience modifier.

What is the average workers comp settlement for construction workers?▾

Construction injury settlements typically run 20-40% higher than other industries because of the severity of injuries. Back surgery cases average $80,000-$180,000, falls from height average $125,000+, and catastrophic multi-injury cases can exceed $500,000.

Am I covered if I'm an independent subcontractor?▾

Most states require the general contractor to cover uninsured subcontractors. In California, Florida, and New York, the GC is the statutory employer if your sub doesn't carry coverage. Always check the project's certificate of insurance before starting work.

Can I sue on top of workers comp for a construction injury?▾

Possibly. You can't sue your direct employer, but you can sue third parties — equipment manufacturers, other subcontractors, or the property owner. Third-party claims are common in construction and often worth far more than the workers comp portion alone.

Workers Comp for Other Occupations

Nurse (RN, LPN, CNA)

Code 8829

Warehouse Worker

Code 8292

Truck Driver

Code 7228 / 7229

Restaurant Worker

Code 9082 / 9083

Roofer

Code 5551

Manufacturing Worker

Code 2710 / 3632 / various

Retail Worker

Code 8017 / 8018

Healthcare Worker

Code 8832 / 8833

Office Worker

Code 8810

Electrician

Code 5190

Delivery Driver

Code 7380

Amazon Worker

Code 7380 / varies

Firefighter

Code 7710

Police Officer

Code 7720

Teacher

Code 8868

Gig Worker (Uber, DoorDash, Instacart)

Code varies

Disclaimer: Workers comp insurance rates are approximate national averages and vary significantly by state, insurer, and employer experience modifier. Settlement ranges are estimates based on NSC and state data. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for your specific situation. Last updated: April 2026.