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.