Ohio Workers' Comp Rate Calculator
Calculate your workers' compensation costs in Ohio. Compare direct carrier vs PEO rates by industry. All calculations use real NCCI class code data and Ohio regulatory filings.
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- 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 0.58 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, Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, NAPEO, BLS. Calibrated to 2026 market conditions.
Workers' comp in Ohio: how the system works
In Ohio, workers' compensation is not sold on the private market. Employers buy coverage directly through the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC), the state's monopolistic fund. Ohio is one of only four monopolistic states, so the usual private-carrier shopping does not apply and rates are set by the state fund rather than through NCCI.
For roofers and construction employers, the class code drives the rate more than anything else: roof work 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.
Ohio workers' comp at a glance:
- Market: State monopolistic fund (no private market)
- Rate authority: the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC)
- Highest-rate trade: roof work and construction class codes
- Your biggest lever: the experience modification rate
Official source: the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC).
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 Ohio?
Rates are set by the state fund, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC), not by private carriers or NCCI. There is no carrier shopping; you work directly with the state fund.
Is workers' comp required in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio employers obtain required coverage through the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC). Check the fund for which workers and thresholds apply to your business.