Texas is unique twice over: it’s the only state where workers’ comp is optional for most private employers, and it’s unusually transparent — TDI adopts NCCI loss costs by Commissioner’s bulletin and posts the complete class-code tables publicly. Carriers apply their own loss cost multipliers to produce final rates.

The current rate environment in Texas

TDI’s Commissioner adopted an overall 3.8% decrease to Texas loss cost levels effective July 1, 2026 (Bulletin B-0001-26). Policies written on or after that date must use the new advisory loss costs or the carrier’s own filed values.

Texas rates by class code (advisory loss costs effective July 1, 2026)

These are NCCI advisory loss costs adopted by TDI — expected loss values, before each carrier’s multiplier. Texas loss costs are among the lowest in the nation, and the table below covers common classes (Texas uses 9079 for restaurants; some NCCI codes don’t appear in the Texas tables).

Class Code	Classification	Loss cost per $100 payroll
8810	Clerical office	$0.02
8832	Physician & clerical	$0.06
9586	Barber / beauty salon	$0.12
9079	Restaurant (TX food-service class)	$0.28
8017	Retail store	$0.35
9014	Janitorial services	$0.55
0042	Landscaping / gardening	$0.92
5551	Roofing	$1.95

Source: TDI workers’ comp rate guide, effective July 1, 2026. Loss costs exclude carrier expenses — final rates equal the loss cost times each carrier’s filed multiplier, then experience rating and credits apply.

What determines your Texas premium

• Class codes — every job type carries its own rate; misclassification is the most common cause of overpayment
• Payroll — premium is calculated per $100 of payroll, by class
• Experience mod — your claims history versus similar businesses scales the whole premium up or down
• Carrier pricing — each carrier files a loss cost multiplier with TDI (the multipliers are also public) — comparing carriers compares multipliers
• Credits and programs — safety programs, dividend plans, and pay-as-you-go options move the net cost

How to get the best rate in Texas

The rate tables are only the starting point: the carrier you land with, the accuracy of your class codes, and how your payroll is reported decide what you actually pay. We quote Texas businesses across a dozen A-rated markets and show you the comparison — including pay-as-you-go billing that matches premium to actual payroll. See our Texas workers’ comp guide and Texas forms & resources for the rest of the picture.

Texas rate FAQs

Is workers’ comp required in Texas?

No — Texas is the only state where coverage is optional for most private employers. But non-subscribers lose critical legal defenses and face unlimited liability suits, and most contracts and clients require coverage anyway. We help Texas employers price both realities.

Did Texas workers’ comp rates change for 2026?

Yes — TDI adopted an overall 3.8% decrease to loss cost levels effective July 1, 2026 (Commissioner’s Bulletin B-0001-26).

What is the Texas loss cost for clerical employees?

Code 8810 (clerical office) carries an advisory loss cost of $0.02 per $100 of payroll effective July 1, 2026 — among the lowest values in the entire national system. Final rates apply each carrier’s multiplier on top.