Teacher Workers' Comp Calculator 2026

Teachers work under class code 8868 (professional employees of schools) at rates from $1.50 to $3.00 per $100 of payroll. The classroom looks safe on paper, but teacher injury claims are dominated by two patterns most people don't expect: assault by students (rising sharply in K–12, especially special education and middle school) and slip-and-fall injuries on wet hallways, gym floors, or playgrounds. Add the repetitive strain from grading on a laptop and standing six hours a day, and the average teacher claim looks more like a healthcare worker claim than an office worker claim.

Adam Noah - Workers' Comp Research Analyst

Adam Noah · Workers' Comp Research Analyst

Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy

About the author

Class Code

8868

WC Insurance Rate

$1.50–$3.00 per $100 of payroll

Risk Level

Low

Example annual premium for teacher with $50,000 annual payroll: $1,125 per employee. Varies by state, carrier, and experience modifier.

Calculate Your Teacher 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 Teacher Workplace Injuries

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

Injury TypeAvg Settlement
Back Injury (Lifting Students, Equipment)$72,000
Knee (Slip & Fall, Gym/Playground)$55,000
Shoulder (Writing, Reaching)$48,000
Carpal Tunnel / Repetitive Strain (Grading)$28,000
Neck Injury (Posture, Assault)$42,000

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 Teachers

  • •Class code 8868 (professional employees of schools) runs $1.50–$3 per $100 of payroll, well below industrial averages.
  • •Assault by students accounted for roughly 1 in 6 teacher injury claims in recent BLS data, and rates have risen each year since 2020.
  • •Special education teachers have injury rates approaching healthcare workers — restraint and de-escalation produce shoulder and back injuries.
  • •Voice-strain injuries from sustained classroom speaking are compensable in most states for K–12 teachers, with treatment including speech therapy.
  • •Most public school teachers are covered under their district's workers comp policy; charter school coverage varies by state.
  • •Teacher AWW often includes summer payments, coaching stipends, and extracurricular pay — make sure the carrier uses the full annualized figure.
  • •Slip-and-fall settlements involving permanent knee damage often qualify a teacher for permanent partial disability ratings of 10–25%.
  • •PTSD claims from school violence (including lockdowns and shootings) are compensable in a growing number of states.

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 — Teacher

Can teachers claim workers comp for being assaulted by a student?▾

Yes. Student assault is one of the most common teacher workers comp claims, especially in special education and middle school. Coverage extends to physical injuries and, in most states, to PTSD and anxiety claims arising from the assault.

What's the workers comp rate for teachers?▾

Class code 8868 averages $1.50 to $3 per $100 of payroll. Public schools usually self-insure or participate in state pools, so the rate matters more for private schools and charters buying market coverage.

Are coaches covered when they're injured at games or practice?▾

Yes, if coaching is part of your contracted duties or paid stipend. Coaching injuries — twisting an ankle demonstrating a drill, getting hit by a ball — are workers comp claims like any other classroom injury. Make sure your AWW calculation includes the coaching stipend.

Is carpal tunnel from grading covered?▾

Yes, in all 50 states. Repetitive strain injuries from sustained typing, grading, and computer use are compensable. You'll need an EMG and medical documentation linking the condition to your work duties. Average settlement: $28,000.

What about voice strain from teaching?▾

Vocal cord injuries from sustained classroom speaking — chronic laryngitis, vocal nodules — are recognized occupational injuries in most states. Treatment includes speech therapy and sometimes surgery. Documenting class size and speaking hours strengthens the claim.

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

Electrician

Code 5190

Delivery Driver

Code 7380

Amazon Worker

Code 7380 / varies

Firefighter

Code 7710

Police Officer

Code 7720

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.