South Dakota workers' compensation rates stable in 2024.
Workers' compensation rates in South Dakota are about 2% higher than the national average and they have remained stable for the past five years. This is good news for small business owners needing to buy workers' compensation coverage for their business. South Dakota ranks 25th in the country on the average cost of workers' comp coverage from highest to lowest. Insurance companies continue to compete to win new business as workers' compensation has been the most profitable libe of coverage for most insurance companies in the state.
South Dakota is an NCCI state like most other states. NCCI manages employers' experience modification rates and collects all data for the state including claims, class codes, premiums, and payroll. They analyze this data and make annual recommendations to carriers and to the ND Department of Insurance. Every Insurance company is required to file their rates with the state for approval each year.
Workers' compensation rates will vary for the same class codes in North Dakota because insurance companies can apply policy credits and debits up to 25% to adjust their filed rates. More discounts may also be added to a policy depending on the size of payroll and overall claims experience.
Don't pay too much for your workers' comp coverage. Our agents will find your best deal. Our technology tracks carrier rates by state and compares their pricing in real-time. Find out how knowledegeable agents, better advice and more options lead to lower rates and a better price.
Ask about our Pay As You Go plans designed to improve cashflow and bullet-proof your audits.
Workers Comp Rates are an Art & Science
What influences my workers comp insurance cost?
Your State & Class Codes
Insurance companies file their "base manual rates" for approval with each state for all class codes. Rate recommendations are generally made to the state and carriers annually by the National Council on Compensation Insurance.
Your Claims or Losses
Employee claims are reported to NCCI and statistically compared with all other similar type businesses using the same class code in each state. An Experience Modification Rate may apply to your business after a few years of coverage.
Prior Experience & Coverage
Insurance company underwriters are permitted to make premium rate adjustments based on unique factors about your business, safety practices, and management experience in most states.
Policy Credits and Debits
Insurance companies may apply policy credits and debits to the base manual rates. Additional discounts can be applied to premium as the total payroll & premium increases.
Smart Agents with expertise in workers' compensation insurance utilize this information to negotiate your insurance rates with underwriters. A good narrative about your business helps insurance companies justify a better price.
SD Rates for Select Work Comp Class Codes
Rates for State Class Codes. Select Codes Listed:
The South Dakota workers' compensation rates listed below represent the lowest and highest rates we've found for 2025. South Dakota rates are managed by the SD Division of Labor and Management and the Division of Insurance. Insurance carriers are permitted to offer premium discounts and policy credits. We offer Pay As You Go workers' compensation in South Dakota. Not all employers will qualify for the lowest rates available or max policy credits. Compare your workers compensation rates with over 35 insurance carriers. Get quotes today.
| Class Code & Description | Low Rate | High Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0035 Farms-Planting & Harvesting-Cannabis Growers | $1.81 | $3.34 |
| 0042 Landscaping Service | $3.05 | $5.64 |
| 0106 Tree Trimming-Pruning-Removal | $6.80 | $12.57 |
| 0917 Residential Cleaning Service-Housekeepers | $3.69 | $6.82 |
| 2121 Breweries-Craft Beers | $0.74 | $1.37 |
| 2143 Winery-Wine Makers | $1.46 | $2.70 |
| 2585 Carpet Cleaning | $2.35 | $4.34 |
| 2589 Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services | $1.49 | $2.75 |
| 3632 Machine Shop | $1.65 | $3.05 |
| 3724 Garage Door Installation | $2.24 | $4.14 |
| 3821 Salvage Yard-Auto Recycling | $3.48 | $6.43 |
| 5022 Masonry Construction | $5.56 | $10.27 |
| 5102 Door & Window Installers | $3.18 | $5.88 |
| 5183 Plumbing Contractors | $2.80 | $5.17 |
| 5190 Electrical Work-Electrician | $2.11 | $3.90 |
| 5221 Concrete Work-Flat Work Cement | $2.31 | $4.27 |
| 5223 Pool Installation & Maintenance | $3.77 | $6.97 |
| 5348 Ceramic, Tile & Stone Work | $2.69 | $4.97 |
| 5437 Trim-Finish Carpenters-Cabinets-Countertops | $3.44 | $6.36 |
| 5445 Drywall Contractors | $4.20 | $7.76 |
| 5474 Painting Contractor | $3.57 | $6.60 |
| 5478 Floor Installers-Wood-Carpet-Laminate | $2.41 | $4.45 |
| 5535 Metal Building Construction | $4.28 | $7.91 |
| 5537 HVAC-Heating & Cooling Service/Repair | $2.88 | $5.32 |
| 5537* Solar Energy Contractors-Installation | $2.88 | $5.32 |
| 5551 Roofing Contractors | $11.28 | $20.85 |
| 5606 Asphalt & Paving Work | $0.79 | $1.46 |
| 5645 Residential Construction-Home Builders-Remodelers-Siding | $7.09 | $13.10 |
| 6217 Excavation & Grading Work | $3.19 | $5.90 |
| 6400 Fence Installation & Repair | $4.05 | $7.48 |
| 7219 Trucking-Short & Long Haul | $4.91 | $9.07 |
| 7225 Towing Company | $4.30 | $7.95 |
| 7230 Package & Parcel Delivery | $4.47 | $8.26 |
| 7370 Non-Emergency Medical Transport-Taxi-Limo-Airport Shuttle | $2.42 | $4.47 |
| 7605 Alarm Installation & Repair | $1.49 | $2.75 |
| 7720 Security Guards-Patrol Officers | $1.82 | $3.36 |
| 8006 Gas Stations & Convenience Stores | $1.14 | $2.11 |
| 8017 Retail Stores-Merchandise-Cannabis Dispensary | $0.88 | $1.63 |
| 8292 Warehousing & Storage Facility | $1.99 | $3.68 |
| 8380 Auto Service & Repair | $1.62 | $2.99 |
| 8393 Auto Body Repair | $0.86 | $1.59 |
| 8742 Sales Professional | $0.34 | $0.63 |
| 8810 Clerical-Office Employee | $0.12 | $0.22 |
| 8824 Retirement Living Centers-Congregate Communities | $1.72 | $3.18 |
| 8829 Nursing Home & Assisted Living Facilities | $1.51 | $2.79 |
| 8831 Animal Shelters & Kennels-Veterinarian | $1.10 | $2.03 |
| 8832 Medical Office-Doctor-Dentist-Chiropractor, Optometrist | $0.18 | $0.33 |
| 8835 Home Health Care | $1.35 | $2.50 |
| 8842 Group Homes-Temporary Shelters-Disability Facility | $1.57 | $2.90 |
| 8864 Social Service Organizations-Counseling-Family Services | $1.02 | $1.88 |
| 8868 Religous Organizations-Church-Temple | $0.26 | $0.48 |
| 8869 Child Care Centers-Daycare Providers | $0.76 | $1.40 |
| 9012 Property Management-Leasing Agent | $0.94 | $1.74 |
| 9014 Janitorial Service Contractors-Pest Control-Exterminating-Chimney | $2.11 | $3.90 |
| 9015 Building Maintenance-Campgrounds-Camps-RV Parks | $3.08 | $5.69 |
| 9052 Hotels & Motels | $1.53 | $2.63 |
| 9060 Golf Courses & Country Clubs | $0.88 | $1.63 |
| 9063 Ffitness Center-Health Clubs-YMCA Programs | $0.68 | $1.26 |
| 9082 Restaurants & Catering | $0.87 | $1.61 |
| 9083 Fast Food Restaurants-Concessions-Doughnut Shop | $0.71 | $1.31 |
| 9083* Mobile Food Trucks-Food Carts | $0.71 | $1.31 |
| 9084 Bars, Taverns & Nightclubs | $1.02 | $1.88 |
| 9102 Lawn Service & Maintenance | $1.78 | $3.29 |
| 9180 Shooting Range-Amusement Park | $4.68 | $8.65 |
| 9402 Septic Tank Cleaning-Portable Toilets | $3.11 | $5.75 |
| 9403 Refuse Collection-Garbage-Trash Service | $5.30 | $9.79 |
| 9516 Electrical Equipment Repair & Service | $2.41 | $4.45 |
South Dakota workers' comp rates vary by industry classification codes and insurance company underwriting standards. Employers' who have an Experience Modification Rating (EMR Rating) assigned to their business may have additional credits or debits applied to their insurance rates based on prior premiums and workers' compensation losses. NCCI administers all Assigned Risk coverage in the state.
Get a Quote or Learn More
- What is Workers Compensation?
- The Basics of Workers Comp
- Workers Compensation Q and A?
- Insurance Laws for Work Comp
- Managing Policy Claims
- Getting Work Comp Benefits
- NCCI Classification Codes
- Experience Modifiers and Ratings
- State Fund Insurance
- Workers Compensation Forms
- Handling Workers Comp Audits
- Understanding an Employer Liability Policy
- Excluding Owners and Officers
- Other States Coverage
State Resources for South Dakota
State Resources for South Dakota
South Dakota Department of Commerce
Division of Insurance
445 E Capital Dry
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3563
http://dlr.sd.gov/insurance/
SD Division of Labor
Kneip Building
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501-2291
605-773-3681
http://dlr.sd.gov/workerscomp/
South Dakota is under the Jurisdiction of the National Council for Compensation Insurance (NCCI) and contracts with Travelers as the state fund carrier.
Our agency helps employers find guaranteed state fund workers' comp in SD. If we can't find more affordable coverage with a private insurance company, we can help you buy a state fund policy.
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