Free • No Login Required • MA Data

Massachusetts Workers' Comp Rate Calculator

Calculate your workers' compensation costs in Massachusetts. Compare direct carrier vs PEO rates by industry. All calculations use real NCCI class code data and Massachusetts regulatory filings.

State Avg Rate / $100
$2.15
Regulatory Body
Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents
Top Carriers
Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Safety Insurance
Market Type
Step 1 — Your Business
About Your Massachusetts Business
Enter your business details to calculate your workers' comp premium. We auto-populate Massachusetts-specific rates based on your industry.
Step 2 — Experience & Claims
Your Claims History
Your Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is the single biggest lever on your premium. Enter your claims history to see how it impacts your costs and future trajectory.
Claims History (Last 3 Years)
Total Incurred ($)
# of Claims
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Step 3 — Compare Options
Compare Your Coverage Options
See how a PEO's pooled workers' comp program could reduce your rates. PEOs leverage group buying power across thousands of employees to negotiate lower rates, especially for high-risk trades.
Your Results
Workers' Comp Premium Analysis
Your estimated annual premium based on Massachusetts rates, your industry classification, and experience modification.
Current Annual Premium
$0
Payroll/100 × Rate × EMR
Based on Massachusetts filed rates for selected class code
3-Year Premium Projection
YearDirect Carrier
EMR Trajectory: Direct vs PEO Path (3-Year Projection)
Direct Path
PEO Path
⚡

Built on Real Pricing Data — Not Guesswork

This tool is powered by actuarial and regulatory datasets, calibrated to 2026 Massachusetts market conditions.

📊

NCCI Class Codes & Base Rates

Official class code classifications and advisory base rates filed with the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents for Massachusetts employers.

🏛

State WC Bureau Filings

Massachusetts workers' comp rate filings, loss cost multipliers, and regulatory requirements from the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents.

📈

NAPEO PEO Benchmarks

PEO pooled rate benchmarks from the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations, covering 500+ PEOs nationwide.

Get a Free Custom Report

Get a detailed workers' comp report with your specific numbers — prepared by a BENEFITRA advisor who specializes in Massachusetts employers.

Calculation Methodology ▼
How This Calculator Works
  • Annual Premium = (Annual Payroll / 100) × Base WC Rate × Experience Modification Rate (EMR)
  • PEO Premium = (Annual Payroll / 100) × PEO Pooled Rate × PEO Pooled EMR Factor
  • EMR Projection: Based on NCCI split-point formula. Claims history impacts future EMR over a 3-year rolling window.
  • PEO Discount: PEO rates use a discount factor of 0.48 applied to direct market rates, reflecting pooled buying power.
  • 3-Year Trend: Direct carrier premiums trend at +3%/year (10-year average). PEO premiums trend at +2%/year due to scale.
  • Safety Credit: A 5% premium credit is applied when a formal safety program is in place.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes. Actual premiums depend on your specific underwriting, claims history, and carrier selection. Data sources: NCCI, Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents, NAPEO, BLS. Calibrated to 2026 market conditions.

Workers' comp in Massachusetts: how the system works

In Massachusetts, workers' comp is sold on the competitive private market, but rates are not set through NCCI. Massachusetts uses its own independent rating organization, the Workers' Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts (WCRIBMA), which files the loss costs and classification rules carriers build their pricing on.

For roofing and construction employers, the class code drives the rate more than anything else: roofing carries some of the highest workers' comp rates of any trade because of fall exposure. Wherever you operate, the experience modification rate is the biggest lever you control, and a cleaner claims history compounds into lower premiums year over year.

Massachusetts workers' comp at a glance:

Official source: the Workers' Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts (WCRIBMA).

Model your own numbers with the EMR Scenario Modeler, then see how lower comp cost frees budget for benefits in the Benefits ROI Calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Who sets workers' comp rates in Massachusetts?

Rates are based on loss costs filed by the Workers' Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts (WCRIBMA), the state's independent rating bureau, with each carrier applying its own multiplier on top.

Is workers' comp required in Massachusetts?

Most Massachusetts employers are required to carry workers' comp, though small-employer thresholds vary by state. Confirm the exact requirement for your business with the Workers' Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts (WCRIBMA).

Reviewed by Sam Newland, CFP, Founder of Benefitra. Last updated June 2026.