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# Washington Proposes 4.9% Workers’ Comp Increase for 2027
- URL: https://www.theamericanquorum.com/state-news-washington-2026-09-25-a/
- Published: 2026-09-26T02:25:01.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-26T02:25:01.000Z
- Description: Washington labor officials propose a 4.9% average workers’ compensation rate increase for 2027, adding about $75 per full-time position before refunds. Public comments remain open through Oct. 29.
- Author: News Desk
- Tags: Business, Washington

Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries is proposing a 4.9% average increase in the hourly workers’ compensation rates paid by employers and workers in 2027, a statewide change that would affect most businesses covered by the State Fund. The [proposal](https://www.lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/26-15?ref=theamericanquorum.com), released Sept. 22, would add about $1.44 a week, or roughly $75 a year, for each full-time position on average before retrospective-rating refunds.

The figure is an average, not a uniform surcharge. An employer’s actual bill can move by more or less depending on its industry classification, claims experience and the frequency and cost of claims across that risk group. L&I’s [rate tables](https://www.lni.wa.gov/insurance/rates-risk-classes/rates-for-workers-compensation/?ref=theamericanquorum.com) show proposed 2027 base rates for individual business types and separate hourly charges for the accident, medical-aid, supplemental-pension and Stay at Work funds.

Under the proposal, employers would continue to cover about three-quarters of the average premium and workers about one-quarter. Washington is unusual because it charges most workers’ compensation premiums by hours worked and employees pay a significant share. L&I’s [rate notice](https://www.lni.wa.gov/insurance/rates-risk-classes/rates-for-workers-compensation/rates-notice?ref=theamericanquorum.com) says 311 of the state’s 326 risk classes would have higher base rates in 2027\. At the average, the combined charge would equal about $1.50 per $100 of payroll before refunds, close to the 2022 level.

The proposal reaches a large slice of the state economy. L&I says the State Fund covers about 2.8 million workers at roughly 205,000 employers. The agency charged approximately $2.8 billion in premiums during fiscal 2026, according to the same rate notice.

L&I attributes the proposed increase to rising wages, medical expenses and wage-replacement costs. The department says 4.9% is below the increase its actuaries project would be needed to cover 2027 claims fully, so it plans to use part of the system’s contingency reserve to bridge the difference. A State Register [filing](https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/Law/WSR/2026/13/26-13-085.htm?ref=theamericanquorum.com) opened the formal rulemaking in June and identified the 2027 premium rates and experience-rating parameters as the subject of the proceeding.

Employers and workers still have a comment window before the rates become final. L&I scheduled an in-person hearing in Tumwater at 10 a.m. Oct. 27, a virtual hearing at 10 a.m. Oct. 28 and another virtual hearing at 2 p.m. Oct. 29\. Written comments are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 29\. The agency says it will adopt final rates Nov. 30 for an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027.

For businesses, the practical question is the classification-specific change rather than the statewide average. Employers can compare their code in the published tables and then apply their experience factor; even claim-free firms may see a base-rate change because risk is pooled within classifications. The public-hearing process can change the proposal before adoption, so the 4.9% figure should be treated as L&I’s current plan, not yet the final 2027 bill.