Workers' Compensation Calculator
Last reviewed · Massachusetts and Indiana maxima corrected against the SSA table; per-state provenance recorded
Estimate your weekly workers' compensation benefits, permanent disability payments, and total settlement value using your state's official formula and maximum benefit rate.
Workers' compensation typically pays 66.67% of your average weekly wage, subject to a state maximum that ranges from $654.63 (Mississippi) to $2,431 (Iowa). Settlement value depends on the state formula, the body part and the impairment rating. Weekly TTD benefits continue until you return to work or reach maximum medical improvement.
Estimates are for educational purposes only. Actual benefits depend on your employer's insurance carrier, state-specific rules, and case-specific facts. This is not legal advice. Consult a workers' compensation attorney in your state.
This is an estimate built from the rule, schedule or survey named on this page, not legal advice and not a quote. Figures change when a legislature or a court changes them. Check the statute or the court’s own fee schedule, or ask a lawyer in your state, before you rely on a number here.
How Workers' Compensation Benefits Are Calculated
Workers' compensation pays a percentage of your pre-injury average weekly wage (AWW). In most states, the rate is 66.67%, meaning two-thirds of your gross weekly earnings. Some states use different rates: Iowa, Michigan and Alaska pay 80% of after-tax wages, Connecticut 75% of after-tax wages, Rhode Island 62% of gross wages, and Massachusetts and New Hampshire 60%.
Every state sets a maximum weekly benefit that caps your payment regardless of your actual wage. In 2026, these maximums range from $654.63 per week in Mississippi to $2,431 per week in Iowa. If two-thirds of your wage exceeds the state maximum, you receive the maximum. This cap means that higher-earning workers receive a smaller percentage of their actual pay.
Benefits are tax-free at both federal and state levels. This means your after-tax income replacement is closer to 80% to 90% of take-home pay for most workers, despite the headline rate of 66.67%.
Sources: state workers' compensation agencies and the Social Security Administration table of state maximum benefits (POMS DI 52150.045). Updated 2026.
Workers' Compensation Settlements by Injury Type
National averages for workers' compensation settlements are misleading. Settlements vary enormously based on injury severity, the body part affected, and your state.
Soft tissue injuries such as sprains and strains typically settle for $10,000 to $25,000. Back injuries, the most common workplace injury, average $23,000 but can reach $50,000 or more when surgery is involved. Fractures average $30,000 to $50,000. Traumatic brain injuries can exceed $100,000. Amputations average $109,000.
Settlement value is driven primarily by your permanent impairment rating (assigned by a physician after you reach maximum medical improvement), your weekly compensation rate, and the scheduled number of weeks for your body part in your state. Medical bills are typically paid separately on top of the settlement. Attorney fees in workers' compensation cases are usually 15% to 20% of the settlement, lower than the 33% typical in personal injury.
Your strongest leverage in negotiating a higher settlement is an independent medical examination (IME) that establishes a higher impairment rating than the employer's doctor assigned. A 5-point difference in rating can mean tens of thousands of dollars in PPD benefits.
When to Hire a Workers' Compensation Attorney
Not every workers' compensation claim requires an attorney. Straightforward claims with a clear work injury, accepted by the employer, and a full recovery may settle without legal representation. However, an attorney is strongly recommended in these situations:
Your claim is denied. About 7% of workers' compensation claims are initially denied. Common reasons include the employer disputing that the injury happened at work, questioning pre-existing conditions, or challenging the severity. An attorney can appeal the denial and present evidence supporting your claim.
You have a permanent impairment rating. PPD settlements involve complex calculations and significant money. The employer's insurance company will try to minimize your rating and settlement. An attorney can arrange an independent medical examination and negotiate a higher settlement.
You are being pressured to return to work. Insurers sometimes push for early return-to-work, even with restrictions. An attorney protects your right to full recovery and appropriate light-duty accommodations.
Workers' compensation laws vary significantly by state. This calculator uses general formulas and state maximum benefit rates. Always consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation.
Sources: state workers' compensation agencies and the Social Security Administration table of state maximum benefits (POMS DI 52150.045), 2026.
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Weekly Benefit Limits in Every State
What each state pays a worker who cannot work, as used by the calculator. The rate is the share of your average weekly wage; the maximum is the ceiling regardless of what you earned. The rate that applies is the one in force on the day of the injury, which is why the last column matters.
| State | Rate | Weekly minimum | Weekly maximum | In force since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 66.67% of gross wage | $335 | $1,219 | July 1, 2026 |
| Alaska | 80% of gross wage | $358 | $1,627 | January 1, 2026 |
| Arizona | 66.67% of gross wage | none | $943.23 | January 1, 2026 |
| Arkansas | 66.67% of gross wage | $20 | $953 | January 1, 2026 |
| California | 66.67% of gross wage | $264.61 | $1,764.11 | January 1, 2026 |
| Colorado | 66.67% of gross wage | none | $1,448.02 | July 1, 2026 |
| Connecticut | 75% of after-tax wage | $355.2 | $1,776 | October 1, 2026 |
| Delaware | 66.67% of gross wage | $320.91 | $962.72 | July 1, 2026 |
| District of Columbia | 66.67% of gross wage | $463.02 | $1,852.07 | January 1, 2026 |
| Florida | 66.67% of gross wage | $20 | $1,358 | January 1, 2026 |
| Georgia | 66.67% of gross wage | $50 | $800 | July 1, 2023 |
| Hawaii | 66.67% of gross wage | $310 | $1,240 | January 1, 2026 |
| Idaho | 67% of gross wage | $510.75 | $1,021.5 | January 1, 2026 |
| Illinois | 66.67% of gross wage | $400 | $2,045.63 | July 15, 2026 |
| Indiana | 66.67% of gross wage | $50 | $878 | July 1, 2026 |
| Iowa | 80% of gross wage | $425 | $2,431 | July 1, 2026 |
| Kansas | 66.67% of gross wage | $50 | $905 | July 1, 2026 |
| Kentucky | 66.67% of gross wage | $255.6 | $1,277.99 | January 1, 2026 |
| Louisiana | 66.67% of gross wage | $241 | $903 | September 1, 2026 |
| Maine | 66.67% of gross wage | none | $1,561.4 | July 1, 2026 |
| Maryland | 66.67% of gross wage | $50 | $1,537 | January 1, 2026 |
| Massachusetts | 60% of gross wage | $384.5 | $2,007.2 | October 1, 2026 |
| Michigan | 80% of after-tax wage | none | $1,201 | January 1, 2026 |
| Minnesota | 66.67% of gross wage | $318.82 | $1,594.08 | October 1, 2026 |
| Mississippi | 66.67% of gross wage | $25 | $654.63 | January 1, 2026 |
| Missouri | 66.67% of gross wage | $40 | $1,294.71 | July 1, 2026 |
| Montana | 66.67% of gross wage | none | $1,192 | July 1, 2026 |
| Nebraska | 66.67% of gross wage | $49 | $1,166 | January 1, 2026 |
| Nevada | 66.67% of gross wage | none | $1,308.86 | July 1, 2026 |
| New Hampshire | 60% of gross wage | $464.6 | $2,323 | July 1, 2026 |
| New Jersey | 70% of gross wage | $320 | $1,199 | January 1, 2026 |
| New Mexico | 66.67% of gross wage | $36 | $1,146.66 | January 1, 2026 |
| New York | 66.67% of gross wage | $384.45 | $1,281.5 | July 1, 2026 |
| North Carolina | 66.67% of gross wage | $30 | $1,446 | January 1, 2026 |
| North Dakota | 66.67% of gross wage | $775 | $1,614 | July 1, 2026 |
| Ohio | 66.67% of gross wage | $427 | $1,281 | January 1, 2026 |
| Oklahoma | 70% of gross wage | none | $1,128.66 | January 1, 2026 |
| Oregon | 66.67% of gross wage | $50 | $1,943.41 | July 1, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | 66.67% of gross wage | $697 | $1,394 | January 1, 2026 |
| Rhode Island | 62% of gross wage | none | $1,691 | October 1, 2026 |
| South Carolina | 66.67% of gross wage | $75 | $1,189.94 | January 1, 2026 |
| South Dakota | 66.67% of gross wage | $576 | $1,152 | July 1, 2026 |
| Tennessee | 66.67% of gross wage | $202.95 | $1,488.3 | July 1, 2026 |
| Texas | 70% of gross wage | $197 | $1,314 | October 1, 2026 |
| Utah | 66.67% of gross wage | $45 | $1,376 | July 1, 2026 |
| Vermont | 66.67% of gross wage | $638 | $1,914 | July 1, 2026 |
| Virginia | 66.67% of gross wage | $376.75 | $1,507.01 | July 1, 2026 |
| Washington | 60% of gross wage | $287.91 | $2,303.31 | July 1, 2026 |
| West Virginia | 66.67% of gross wage | $193.33 | $1,150.91 | July 1, 2026 |
| Wisconsin | 66.67% of gross wage | none | $1,375 | January 1, 2026 |
| Wyoming | 66.67% of gross wage | none | $1,177 | January 1, 2025 |
51 jurisdictions. Several states change their maximum on 1 October and others on 1 January, so a claim from last year uses last year’s figure.
How much does workers' compensation pay per week?
Workers' compensation typically pays 66.67% (two-thirds) of your average weekly wage, subject to a state maximum. For example, if you earn $900 per week, your TTD benefit would be $600 per week. State maximums range from $654.63 in Mississippi to $2,431 in Iowa. Some states use different rates: Iowa, Michigan and Alaska pay 80% of after-tax wages, Connecticut 75% of after-tax wages, Texas and New Jersey 70%, Rhode Island 62%, and Massachusetts and New Hampshire 60%.
What is the average workers' compensation settlement?
There is no reliable national average: settlements depend on the state formula, the body part and the impairment rating. Soft tissue injuries often settle in the low five figures, while back surgery, fractures and amputations can reach six figures. Settlement value depends on impairment rating, state formulas, and body part injured.
What is a workers' compensation impairment rating?
An impairment rating is a physician's assessment of your permanent functional loss, expressed as a percentage using the AMA Guides. A 10% whole-body impairment means you have lost 10% of functional capacity. Most states use this rating to calculate permanent partial disability benefits. Higher ratings mean larger settlements. Getting an independent medical examination can establish a higher rating.
How long can you stay on workers' compensation?
TTD benefits continue until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) or return to work. Many states have no fixed time limit, but California, Florida and Texas cap it at 104 weeks, and others at 130 to 500 weeks. PTD benefits can last for life in most states. PPD benefits are paid for a fixed number of weeks based on state law and body part. Medical benefits generally have no time limit.
Can you be fired while on workers' compensation?
Being on workers' compensation does not make you immune from termination, but firing you because of your claim is illegal retaliation in most states. Your employer can terminate you for legitimate business reasons unrelated to your claim. If you believe your termination was connected to your workers' compensation claim, you may have both a retaliation claim and a wrongful termination claim.
Do I need a lawyer for a workers' compensation claim?
Not always, but an attorney is recommended when your claim is denied, you have a permanent impairment rating, or you are being offered a settlement. Workers' compensation attorneys charge 15% to 25% of the settlement (lower than personal injury), and many states cap the fee at 15% to 20%. Attorney fees come from the settlement, so there is no upfront cost.
What is the difference between TTD, PPD, and PTD?
TTD (Temporary Total Disability) pays while you cannot work during recovery. PPD (Permanent Partial Disability) pays for lasting impairment after you reach MMI but can still work. PTD (Permanent Total Disability) pays ongoing benefits, often for life, when you are permanently unable to work. Most claims involve TTD followed by a PPD settlement.
How is average weekly wage calculated?
Average weekly wage is typically your gross earnings over the 52 weeks before injury divided by 52. Some states use 13 or 26 weeks if it produces a higher result. AWW includes regular wages, overtime, and tips. It does not include one-time bonuses or reimbursements. Part-time and seasonal employees may have special calculation methods.
Are workers' compensation benefits taxable?
Workers' compensation benefits are generally not taxable at the federal or state level. This includes TTD, PPD, PTD, and death benefits. However, if you also receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your workers' compensation may cause an offset that reduces your Social Security payments. The combined benefit is effectively capped.
What injuries are covered by workers' compensation?
Workers' compensation covers injuries arising out of and in the course of employment: traumatic injuries (falls, machinery accidents), repetitive stress (carpal tunnel, back strain), occupational diseases (asbestosis, hearing loss), and mental health conditions from workplace trauma in some states. Injuries during lunch breaks or commuting are generally not covered, though exceptions exist.