Electrician Workers' Comp Calculator 2026

Electricians work under class code 5190, with rates running $5 to $9 per $100 of payroll — about 20x what an office worker's premium runs. The hazards are obvious and unforgiving: arc flashes, electrocution, and falls from ladders or lifts. Less obvious are the slow-burn injuries from years of pulling wire overhead and working from kneeling positions, which is why shoulder, back, and knee claims rival the dramatic burn cases in volume.

Adam Noah · Workers' Comp Research Analyst

Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy

About the author

Class Code

5190

WC Insurance Rate

$5.00–$9.00 per $100 of payroll

Risk Level

High

Example annual premium for electrician with $50,000 annual payroll: $3,500 per employee. Varies by state, carrier, and experience modifier.

Calculate Your Electrician 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.

What state did the injury occur in? *

When did the injury occur?

Optional — helps calculate your waiting period start date.

What is your average weekly wage? *

$/week

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

Most Common Electrician Workplace Injuries

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

Injury Type	Frequency	Avg Settlement
Electrical Burns / Arc Flash	Common	$145,000
Falls from Ladders / Lifts	Very common	$110,000
Eye Injuries (Arc, Sparks, Debris)	Common	$38,000
Back Injury (Pulling Wire, Lifting)	Very common	$88,000
Shoulder (Overhead Wiring)	Common	$58,000
Hand / Wrist (Tool Use, Cuts)	Common	$32,000

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 Electricians

•Class code 5190 covers most inside electrical work; outside line work (7538/7539) runs higher at $8–$15 per $100.
•Arc flash burns over 20% of body surface area routinely produce settlements above $250,000.
•An electrocution survivor often develops cardiac and neurological complications years later — the workers comp file should stay open or settle with future medical set-aside.
•Falls from ladders are the #1 lost-time injury for electricians, ahead of electrical contact itself.
•Apprentices under registered programs are covered by the contractor's policy from day one — not the apprenticeship sponsor.
•Third-party claims against panel manufacturers, GC's, or property owners are common when arc flash incidents involve defective equipment or removed safety covers.
•Repetitive strain claims (rotator cuff, lateral epicondylitis) account for nearly a quarter of long-tenure electrician claims.

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 — Electrician

What's the workers comp rate for electricians?▾

Class code 5190 (inside electrical wiring) runs roughly $5 to $9 per $100 of payroll depending on state and carrier. Outside line and high-voltage work uses different codes (7538/7539) at $8–$15 per $100.

What's the average settlement for an electrical burn?▾

Arc flash and electrical burn settlements average $100,000–$200,000 for moderate cases. Burns requiring grafts or covering more than 20% body surface area routinely exceed $250,000, and fatal or catastrophic cases reach seven figures.

Can I file workers comp years after an electrical shock?▾

Often yes. Electrocution causes delayed cardiac, neurological, and psychological problems. Most states start the statute of limitations from when the connection between your symptoms and the original incident is medically established, not from the shock itself.

Am I covered as an apprentice electrician?▾

Yes. Apprentices working under the contractor's supervision are employees for workers comp purposes from your first day on the job. Your wage replacement is calculated from your actual apprentice wages.

Can I sue the panel maker if a breaker failed and I got burned?▾

Yes — that's a third-party product liability claim, separate from workers comp. Defective breakers, missing arc flash labels, and removed safety interlocks are common bases for these cases. Your workers comp carrier will assert a subrogation lien, but net recovery typically beats workers comp alone.

Workers Comp for Other Occupations

Construction Worker

Code 5403

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

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.