Workers Comp Cost in South Carolina
2026 rates — mandatory for most South Carolina employers
Calculate Your South Carolina Workers Comp Cost
Workers Comp Rates by Industry — South Carolina 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 South Carolina rates vary by carrier, your specific class codes, and Experience Mod.
How Your Safety Record Affects Workers Comp Cost in South Carolina
Estimated annual cost at $500K payroll, average industry risk — South Carolina rates
| EMR | Safety Profile | Est. Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 0.75 | Excellent safety | $5,175/yr |
| 0.85 | Good safety record | $5,865/yr |
| 1.00 ★ | Average (no claims) — baseline | $6,900/yr |
| 1.15 | Some claims history | $7,935/yr |
| 1.30 | Frequent claims | $8,970/yr |
| 1.50 | Poor safety record | $10,350/yr |
Workers Comp in South Carolina — Key Facts
1. South Carolina Requirement & Market
Mandatory: YES — required for employers in South Carolina (check specific employee count thresholds)
Market: Private market (NCCI rates)
South Carolina uses NCCI (National Council on Compensation Insurance) for class code rate guidance. Workers' comp costs in South Carolina are below 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 South Carolina
South Carolina 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.
5 Ways to Lower Your Workers Comp Cost in South Carolina
Audit Your Class Codes
Workers comp premiums are driven by class codes — and misclassification is extremely common. A clerical employee coded as a "general laborer" can cost 10–20× more in premium. Request a full class code audit from your broker or carrier. South Carolina businesses that correct misclassifications routinely save 15–30% without changing coverage.
Implement a Formal Safety Program
Most South Carolina carriers offer Schedule Credits of 5–25% for documented safety programs. Requirements typically include: written safety manual, regular safety meetings, incident reporting procedures, and a designated safety officer. A formal program also reduces actual claims — the biggest long-term driver of your EMR and future premiums.
Start a Return-to-Work Program
The #1 way to reduce claim costs is getting injured employees back to work as quickly as possible — even in a modified-duty role. Claims that result in extended time off are 3–5× more expensive than those with immediate return to modified duty. South Carolina employers with documented return-to-work programs typically reduce claim duration by 30–50%.
Use Pay-As-You-Go Workers Comp
Traditional workers comp requires a large upfront deposit and a year-end audit — audits commonly result in surprise additional premiums. Pay-as-you-go workers comp (tied to each payroll run) eliminates deposit requirements, spreads costs evenly, and eliminates large audit adjustments. Widely available in South Carolina through most major carriers including NEXT Insurance and The Hartford.
Shop Carriers at Every Renewal
Rate variations of 20–40% between carriers for identical South Carolina coverage are common. Construction and roofing rates in South Carolina track near national averages. Never auto-renew — get at least 3 quotes before your renewal date. Online carriers like NEXT Insurance offer instant quotes for most South Carolina industries, making comparison shopping faster than ever.
Compare Workers Comp Quotes in South Carolina
Rates vary 20–40% between carriers for identical coverage. Compare before your next renewal.
South Carolina Workers Comp Summary
- →Avg rate: $1.38 per $100 payroll
- →$500K payroll: ~$6,900/yr avg risk
- →Cost vs national: below average
- →Mandatory: Yes