L&I workers’ comp rates
Every local jurisdiction pays insurance premiums for workers’ comp to L&I. Premiums are determined by rates based on the type of employee work performed, and then multiplied by the jurisdiction’s experience factor. A jurisdiction’s experience factor can go up or down based on claim history and costs.
2021 L&I rates announced
For the fourth year in a row, the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is proposing an increase to workers’ compensation insurance rates for firefighters and law enforcement. Although moderate, the rate increase is still a concern for public safety, particularly when preceded by much higher-than-normal rate adjustments in prior years. L&I is proposing no increase in the average rate employers pay, which will be the fourth year in a row the state has seen a decrease or rates holding steady as an overall average.
Below are rates in worker types pertinent to municipalities.
Base rates by worker type
|
Worker type
|
2021 % change from 2020
|
4-year cumulative change
|
|
City public works and parks
|
-1%
|
-6%
|
|
County streets and parks
|
1%
|
4%
|
|
City/county law enforcement
|
6%
|
29%
|
|
Firefighters
|
5%
|
18%
|
Looking for L&I rates?
Each year after L&I announces their rates, AWC Retro staff uploads your individual experience factor and your rates into RiskConsole for every Retro Program member. Go to the Organization tab and click on “Journal.” Once in the Journal, you will find all the information for your budgeting needs. Contact Retro staff if you need annual hours or additional information to fine-tune your budget numbers.