Workers Comp EMR Calculator
Your Experience Modification Rate directly controls your workers' comp premium. Enter your payroll and current EMR to see what you're paying, and what you could save.
Enter your numbers
Your estimated premium
| EMR | Rating | Est. Annual Premium | vs. Your Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.70 | Excellent | $1,680 | Save $1,440/yr |
| 0.80 | Very Good | $1,920 | Save $1,200/yr |
| 0.90 | Good | $2,160 | Save $960/yr |
| 1.00 | Industry Avg | $2,400 | Save $720/yr |
| 1.30 | Your EMR | $3,120 | , |
Estimates use approximate industry average base rates. Actual premiums vary by state, carrier, payroll classification, and claims history. Use as a directional guide only.
What determines your EMR?
NCCI (National Council on Compensation Insurance) calculates your EMR each year using 3 years of claims data compared to the industry average of 1.0. A higher EMR means higher premiums, and potential disqualification from bids.
Raises your EMR
- OSHA recordable incidents
- Lost-time injuries
- Large workers' comp claims
- Repeat injuries or unsafe conditions
Lowers your EMR
- Consecutive zero-incident years
- Written safety program in place
- Daily pre-task planning (PTP)
- Rapid return-to-work protocol
EMR affects bid eligibility
- Most GCs require EMR ≤ 1.0
- Many federal projects cap at 0.85
- High EMR = disqualified from bids
- Lower EMR = competitive advantage
Your EMR tells the industry who you are.
Your mod rate isn't just an insurance calculation, it's a public signal about how seriously you take the safety of your people. GCs, owners, and bonding companies all look at your EMR before awarding work. A low EMR signals that your team goes home in one piece, every day. A high one signals the opposite.
You're bidding on jobs your competitors can't touch. Insurance carriers reward you. Bonding limits increase. Workers see you as a place worth staying.
You're winning work but leaving money on the table. A formal safety program can push you below 0.80 within 2–3 years of zero-incident performance.
You're paying above-average premiums and some projects are already off-limits. This is the most common range for companies without a formal safety program.
You're paying significantly more than competitors for the same coverage. Federal contracts and large GC projects are largely inaccessible. Action is needed now.
Safety is a business discipline, not a compliance checkbox.
The companies with the lowest EMRs aren't lucky, they have systems in place. Written safety programs. Daily pre-task planning. Trained supervisors who identify hazards before they become incidents. Those systems cost a fraction of what they prevent, and they compound over time: fewer incidents → lower EMR → lower premiums → more bids won → better workers attracted. Safety isn't a cost center. It's a growth strategy.
Ready to lower your EMR?
Greenberg Safety builds formal safety programs that directly reduce recordable incidents , the primary driver of a high EMR. Schedule a free 30-minute consultation.