General Retail Store workers' comp cost in California

Retail stores see most of their injuries from stocking, lifting, ladders and slips on the sales floor.

The biggest driver for most stores is total payroll, followed by any recent claims. Use the estimator above to see an estimated monthly cost for your payroll and claims history.

Rate basis: California class code 8017. Across 50 insurers in the CDI March 2026 rate comparison, the median manual base rate is $4.83 per $100 of payroll, and the middle half range from $4.21 to $5.41.

*Illustrative estimate only — not an insurance quote. Estimated costs are based on publicly available California workers' compensation rate information and simplified assumptions, including an illustrative adjustment for claims history. The claims-history adjustment is not an official experience modification or insurer rating factor. Actual premiums may vary substantially based on insurer, classification, payroll, actual loss amounts, experience modification, rating plans, underwriting, eligibility, location and other factors.

Other industries

How the estimate is built

Monthly payroll is divided by 100 and multiplied by the median manual base rate for your industry, from the California Department of Insurance Workers' Compensation Rate Comparison (March 2026 Edition), then by an illustrative claims-history factor. Read the full method and rate table.