Pennsylvania runs its own rating system through the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau (PCRB) — one of only a few states outside the NCCI system, with its own class codes and its own loss costs. Each carrier applies a filed multiplier to those loss costs, which is why two quotes on the same Pennsylvania business can land far apart.

The current rate environment in Pennsylvania

The trend favors employers: the PA Insurance Department approved a 1.22% overall loss cost decrease effective April 1, 2026 (PCRB filing C-387) — continuing a multi-year run of declining loss costs in the state.

Where to find official Pennsylvania rate data

PCRB publishes the complete loss cost tables publicly — the current rating values are downloadable from pcrb.com with per-class values effective April 1, 2026. Remember these are loss costs, not final rates: each carrier multiplies them by its own filed loss cost multiplier, typically adding 20–50% for expenses — which is exactly why the carrier comparison matters more in Pennsylvania than the table itself.

What determines your Pennsylvania 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 its own loss cost multiplier over PCRB loss costs — the spread between multipliers is where quotes diverge
• Credits and programs — safety programs, dividend plans, and pay-as-you-go options move the net cost

How to get the best rate in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania workers’ comp guide and Pennsylvania forms & resources for the rest of the picture.

Pennsylvania rate FAQs

Who sets workers’ comp rates in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau (PCRB) files loss costs by class code, approved by the PA Insurance Department. Carriers then apply their own filed multipliers, so final rates vary by insurer on the same class.

Did Pennsylvania workers’ comp rates change for 2026?

Yes — a 1.22% overall loss cost decrease was approved effective April 1, 2026 (PCRB filing C-387), continuing Pennsylvania’s multi-year trend of declining loss costs.

Why do two carriers quote the same PA business differently?

Because Pennsylvania is a loss-cost state: the PCRB base is identical, but each carrier’s loss cost multiplier, schedule credits, and dividend programs differ. Comparing multiple carriers routinely moves premium 20% or more.