Washington Workers’ Comp Average Premium Going up 4.9% in 2026

The average cost of workers’ compensation insurance in Washington is set to rise 4.9% for 2026.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries announced that employers and workers will pay on average $1.37 a week more for each full-time position starting Jan. 1. Employers roughly 75% of the premium, and workers pay roughly 25%.

L&I said the increase is less than what L&I expects it will need to cover 2026 claim costs. As it has done in past years, the agency will use the workers’ comp contingency reserve to cover the difference.

Washington’s workers’ compensation premiums are based on hours worked by the worker. When wages go up in Washington, employer and worker contributions stay the same. As a result, L&I will increase the rates to help cover rising costs of providing coverage.

The increase is an average for all industries. The rate for specific industries could be higher or lower, depending on their injury history.