How Much Does Workers' Comp Pay in Every State in 2024?
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What workers’ compensation pays varies by state — though it’s generally a percentage of your average weekly earnings.
We’ll go over how states set payment amounts and share how each state calculates payments.
How much does workers’ comp pay for lost wages?
Most states base workers’ comp payments on two-thirds (66.67%) of a worker’s average weekly wage (AWW) before taxes during the time before their injury or illness.
Others use a different percentage of your AWW. The remaining states base their payments on figures like your spendable earnings — the money you earn after taxes — or average monthly wage instead of AWW.
In some cases, the AWW figure won’t accurately reflect your wages, such as when you work an inconsistent schedule for a few weeks. States who calculate workers’ comp pay based on AWW may use a figure like average daily wage (ADW) instead in this situation.
Does workers' comp cover medical benefits?
Workers’ comp medical benefits generally cover all essential medical expenses needed for you to recover from your injury or illness. Some states let you get transportation expenses covered for medical appointments as well.
However, since state laws often call these expenses “essential expenses,” your employer may try to justify what medical care is necessary and what isn’t. A workers’ comp lawyer can help you prove that you need all the medical care you get to maximize your compensation.
Is there a limit to the workers’ comp payments I get?
States do typically set a maximum amount you can receive for your workers’ comp payments. Many of them base this number on their statewide average wage (SAWW) — the average amount a worker earns in that state per week. They may set the SAWW itself as the maximum weekly payment or use a percentage of the SAWW.
A similar rule applies to minimum payments. A lot of states set payment minimums based on SAWW or another figure for workers who earn low wages.
Do payment amounts depend on benefit type?
We based the calculations and policies in this article on temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. TTD is the first type of benefit most workers receive. It helps cover wages as someone recovers from a workplace injury or illness.
If a worker reaches the point where they’ve recovered as much as they can and they still can’t work like they used to, they could qualify for another benefit. Permanent disability (PD) contributes to the wages someone loses if they can’t work at all anymore. Meanwhile, permanent partial disability (PPD) covers some wages for workers who can work to a lesser degree than they could before.
Workers who receive PD or PPD may have to use different calculations from the ones in this blog to figure out the payments they’ll get. These benefits can also have different methods for determining how long you can be on them.
How do states calculate average weekly wage?
The exact process for calculating workers’ comp payments varies by state, but most states multiply your AWW before taxes by 66.67% to determine weekly payments.
You can follow Massachusetts’ method for calculating your AWW to get a good estimate. Take your total earnings from the 52 weeks before your injury, then divide it by 52. If you’ve worked for your employer for less than 52 weeks, divide your total earnings from them so far by the number of weeks you’ve worked for them.
Let’s say you earned $52,000 for the 52 weeks before you got sick or injured. When you divide that number by 52 to get your AWW, you get an AWW of $1,000. Multiply $1,000 by 0.6667 (66.67%) to get your weekly payment amount — $666.70.
How much does workers’ comp pay in every state?
We compiled all the workers’ comp payments per state in one table for your convenience. Here are the payment formulas for every state plus their weekly minimum and maximum payments.
State | TTD amount | Maximum payment |
|---|---|---|
Alabama | 66 2/3% of AWW | SAWW |
Alaska | 80% of spendable weekly wage (gross weekly earnings minus payroll tax deductions) | 120% of SAWW |
Arizona | 66 2/3% of AWW | Originally based on Arizona's average monthly wage, then amended to increase based on BLS stats |
Arkansas | 66 2/3% of AWW | 85% of SAWW |
California | $242.86 per month if AWW under $364.29, 66 2/3% of AWW if earning $364.30 or more per week | Based on 150% of SAWW in 2006, then increased by percentage amount equal to SAWW increase by year |
Colorado | 66 2/3% of AWW |
|
Connecticut | 75% of AWW after taxes |
|
Delaware | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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District of Columbia | 66 2/3% of AWW |
|
Florida | 66 2/3% of AWW with special calculations for injuries before 10/01/2003 |
|
Georgia | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Hawaii | 66 2/3% of AWW |
|
Idaho | 67% of AWW for 52 weeks, then 67% of state weekly wage |
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Illinois | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Indiana | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Iowa | 70% of "spendable earnings" - the pay remaining after taxes |
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Kansas | 67% of AWW |
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Kentucky | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Louisiana | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Maine | 66 2/3% of AWW for injuries after 1/1/2013, 80% AWW after taxes for injuries before 1/1/2013 |
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Maryland | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Massachusetts | 60% of AWW | 100% of AWW |
Michigan | 80% of AWW after taxes |
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Minnesota | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Mississippi | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Missouri | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Montana | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Nebraska | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Nevada | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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New Hampshire | 60% of AWW |
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New Jersey | 70% of AWW |
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New Mexico | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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New York | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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North Carolina | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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North Dakota | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Ohio | 72% of full weekly wage (based on 6 weeks or 7 days before injury) for first 12 weeks, then 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Oklahoma | 70% of AWW |
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Oregon | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Pennsylvania | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Rhode Island | 62% of AWW for injuries on or after 1/1/2022, 75% of spendable wages for injuries on or before 12/31/2021 |
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South Carolina | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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South Dakota | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Tennessee | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Texas | 70% or 75% of AWW depending on wage rate before injury |
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Utah | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Vermont | 66 2/3% of AWW plus $10/week per dependent child |
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Virginia | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Washington | 60% to 75% of AWW, depending on number of dependents |
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West Virginia | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Wisconsin | 66 2/3% of AWW |
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Wyoming | 66 2/3% of gross monthly wage with a 3% increase for workers who get care entirely in Wyoming or "if the distance from your residence to an in-state healthcare provider is at least 100 miles greater than the distance from the employee’s residence to an out-of-state medical provider." |
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Where can I get help filing for workers’ comp?
A carefully vetted workers’ comp lawyer can help you file for workers’ comp accurately and on time to get you the highest payouts possible. While the payouts we listed seem clear-cut, your eligibility for them can depend on if your employer challenges your claim and your disability status. Your lawyer will work with you to build a solid claim and get the payments you deserve.
We’ve done the vetting for you already. You just need to take our workers' comp questionnaire to get professional help today.
Frequently asked questions about workers' comp payments
How much does workers’ comp pay for lost wages?
In most states, workers’ comp payments are worth two-thirds (66.67%) of a worker’s average weekly wage (AWW) before taxes during the time before their injury or illness. Read more about how much workers’ comp pays in each state.
When does workers' comp start paying?
Each state sets its own waiting period before you can actually start receiving workers’ comp benefits. The wait is three to seven days in most areas but you can see when your state’s workers’ comp payments start here.
Does workers' comp cover medical bills?
Workers’ comp includes medical benefits that generally cover medical expenses that are necessary for you to recover from your injury or illness. Some states may cover additional costs, like transportation expenses.
Is there a limit to the workers’ comp payments I get?
Yes, states typically set a maximum workers’ comp payment. Many of them base this number on their statewide average wage (SAWW) — the average amount a worker earns in that state per week. Some states also set a minimum payment amount.
Can I increase my workers’ comp payment?
If you think you should be receiving more from workers’ compensation, you can appeal and present evidence that you deserve more. Check with your state workers’ comp board to learn how. A workers’ comp attorney can also help you get the full amount you deserve, including from medical coverage and a settlement.
Can I work while on workers’ comp?
You can work while on workers’ comp as long as you follow your treating physician’s instructions. There’s no set number of hours you can work but you likely have to do light-duty work. Learn more about working while on workers’ comp.
Find a workers' comp lawyer near you
Related resources:
How Much Workers' Comp Pays in Every State
When Will Workers' Comp Offer a Settlement?
How long ago did you get an injury or illness at work?
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