Workers Comp Cost in Illinois
2026 rates — mandatory for most Illinois employers
Calculate Your Illinois Workers Comp Cost
Workers Comp Rates by Industry — Illinois 2026
| Industry Class | Risk Level | Rate / $100 payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Clerical / Office (8810) | Very Low | $0.20 – $0.45 |
| Retail / Wholesale (8017–8018) | Low | $0.80 – $2.00 |
| Restaurant / Food Service (9082) | Moderate | $1.50 – $3.50 |
| Light Manufacturing (3632) | Moderate | $2.00 – $5.00 |
| Trucking / Delivery (7219–7231) | High | $4.00 – $8.00 |
| Construction / Carpentry (5645) | High | $5.00 – $12.00 |
| Roofing (5551) | Very High | $8.00 – $18.00 |
Rates are advisory/illustrative. Actual Illinois rates vary by carrier, your specific class codes, and Experience Mod.
Workers Comp in Illinois — Key Facts
1. Illinois Requirement & Market
Mandatory: YES — required for employers in Illinois (check specific employee count thresholds)
Market: Private market (NCCI rates)
Illinois uses NCCI (National Council on Compensation Insurance) for class code rate guidance. Workers' comp costs in Illinois are above the national average. Compare multiple carriers for the best rates — differences of 20–40% for the same class code are common.
2. Top Cost Tips for Illinois
Illinois employers: (1) verify your class codes are correctly assigned — misclassification is common and can significantly inflate premiums; (2) implement a documented safety program — this qualifies for premium credits with many carriers; (3) pay-as-you-go workers' comp eliminates large audit surprises.
Compare Workers Comp Quotes in Illinois
Rates vary 20–40% between carriers for identical coverage. Compare before your next renewal.
Illinois Workers Comp Summary
- →Avg rate: $1.72 per $100 payroll
- →$500K payroll: ~$8,625/yr avg risk
- →Cost vs national: above average
- →Mandatory: Yes