A Free Workers' Comp Calculator for Every State
This workers' comp calculator is built to give injured workers a fast, realistic estimate of their benefits. Whether you are still recovering, have reached Maximum Medical Improvement, or are negotiating a settlement, the numbers start with the same three inputs: your average weekly wage, your state, and your injury type.
The tool combines displayed state wage-rate assumptions with common body-part reference weeks and chosen medical inputs. It does not implement every state schedule or injury-date adjustment. Compare the assumptions with your wage calculation and medical report before comparing an offer.
How Workers' Comp Benefits Are Calculated
Workers' compensation replaces part of your paycheck when a job injury keeps you from working. Most states pay 66.67% of your average weekly wage, capped at a state maximum. That cap is the number most injured workers don't know - and it matters more than anything else on your weekly check.
Average weekly wage drives the wage-benefit calculation. A full-year earnings total divided by 52 is one illustration, not a universal rule. Lookback periods and treatment of overtime, bonuses, irregular employment, and concurrent jobs differ. Request the written wage calculation and compare it with your records.
Run the numbers before you accept anything. That is what this calculator is for.
Weekly benefit, permanent award, or settlement: which calculator to use
Weekly benefits replace part of eligible lost earnings. A permanent impairment award compensates lasting loss under the governing system. A settlement may resolve one or several rights, sometimes including future medical. Previously paid medical bills are not automatically cash owed to you. The same number should not be used for all three.
For a chosen $1,200 weekly wage at an uncapped two-thirds rate, the weekly example is $800. Twenty fully payable weeks would be $16,000. A separate permanent award requires the applicable medical rating and legal method; this example does not establish it.
Compare injury-specific facts in the back injury settlement guide, shoulder surgery guide, knee and meniscus guide, or finger injury claim calculator. Employers looking for policy pricing should use the insurance cost guide, not the injured-worker estimator.
The Four Types of Workers' Comp Benefits
Understanding which benefit type applies to your situation changes how much money you receive and for how long.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) pays weekly benefits when you cannot work at all while recovering. Most states pay 66.67% of your AWW, subject to the state cap. TTD stops when you return to work, reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), or hit your state's maximum duration limit.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) applies when you return to light duty at reduced hours or pay. Most states pay two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury wage and your current reduced earnings.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) pays a lump sum or additional weekly benefits after you reach MMI with lasting impairment. The amount depends on your impairment rating, the affected body part, and your state's scheduled-loss formula. A 20% impairment rating to the arm in most states produces 62.4 weeks of benefits. A 20% rating to the whole person produces 100 weeks.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD) applies when your injuries prevent you from returning to any work, ever. PTD often pays lifetime benefits at your TTD rate.
Use the TTD Calculator for temporary benefits. Use the PPD Calculator for permanent impairment awards. Use the Settlement Calculator to see the lump-sum value of your full claim.
Why State Maximums Vary So Dramatically
For 2026 injuries, Georgia caps weekly temporary benefits at $800, Mississippi at $654.63 and Illinois at $2,045.63 (from July 15, 2026). Connecticut pays 75% of after-tax wages up to $1,776 for injuries from October 1, 2026, and Michigan pays 80% of after-tax wages. The same injury and the same wage produce wildly different weekly checks depending solely on where you work.
State caps are typically set as a percentage of the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) and updated annually. Some states update every January 1. Others update mid-year, and a few (Wyoming) change quarterly. For states we have checked against official agency sources, this calculator uses the newest published limits and notes the injury period they cover; your own injury date may fall under an earlier limit, so confirm it on your state page.
See the full 2026 Weekly Benefit Rates table for all 50 states plus DC.
When to Get an Attorney
Many workers’ compensation lawyers offer contingency arrangements. Fee caps, approval requirements, and case expenses vary by state. Ask for a written fee agreement and an explanation of your net recovery.
A lawyer can check your wage calculation, identify overlooked benefits, review medical evidence, and explain a settlement offer. This may help protect your claim, but no increase in benefits or settlement is guaranteed.
You do not need an attorney to use this calculator. But if our number is higher than what the insurance carrier is paying you - take that discrepancy to a free attorney consultation before you assume the carrier is right.
What This Calculator Does Not Cover
This calculator illustrates benefits using simplified assumptions rather than every state’s full award formula. It does not calculate:
- Vocational rehabilitation or retraining benefits
- Death benefits for surviving family members
- Penalties for late or denied payments (which vary significantly by state)
- Medicare Set-Aside amounts for large settlements
- Benefits under employer self-insurance programs, which may use different rates
If these issues apply, contact your state agency or a licensed lawyer. Ask about consultation charges, fees, and expenses.
Injury and Surgery Guides
Surgery is the single biggest driver of workers' comp claim value. See typical 2026 ranges, impairment ratings, and payout math on each procedure's own guide.
Workers' Comp Calculator FAQ
How do I calculate my workers' comp weekly benefit?+
This model applies a displayed state rate and cap to the wage entered. Actual wage rules and effective-date rates vary. As an uncapped two-thirds illustration, a $1,200 AWW produces $800 weekly; with an assumed $700 maximum, the example is $700. Verify eligibility and the claim’s wage basis separately.
Are workers' comp benefits taxable?+
No. Workers' compensation benefits are exempt from federal income tax under Section 104 of the Internal Revenue Code. They are also exempt from state income tax in all 50 states. You do not report workers' comp payments as income on your tax return. The only exception involves situations where workers' comp is coordinated with Social Security Disability - the workers' comp offset can reduce your SSDI benefit, which may have indirect tax implications if your SSDI is taxable.
How long does workers' comp pay benefits?+
TTD benefits continue until you return to work, are released to return to work by your treating physician, or reach Maximum Medical Improvement. Most states also set a maximum duration - California limits TTD to 104 weeks within 5 years of injury. PPD benefits pay for a fixed number of weeks determined by your impairment rating and body part. PTD benefits can be lifetime in many states.
What is Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)?+
Maximum Medical Improvement is the point at which your treating physician determines that your condition has stabilized and further medical treatment is unlikely to produce significant improvement. MMI does not mean you are fully healed - it means your condition has reached a plateau. Once you reach MMI, your doctor assigns a permanent impairment rating, which determines your PPD award. TTD benefits stop at MMI. PPD benefits begin.
What is an average weekly wage and why does it matter?+
Average weekly wage is the earnings basis for wage benefits. The lookback period and included earnings depend on the jurisdiction and employment facts. A full-year total divided by 52 is an illustration, not a universal requirement. Compare the written claim calculation with your pay records and applicable rules.
Can I work while receiving workers' comp?+
You can work in a light-duty or modified capacity while receiving Temporary Partial Disability benefits. TPD pays two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury earnings and your current reduced earnings. Working without disclosing it to the carrier while receiving TTD benefits is fraud. If you are earning any wages, report them to your claims adjuster.
What is the difference between workers' comp and a personal injury lawsuit?+
Workers' compensation is a no-fault system. You do not have to prove your employer was negligent to receive benefits - only that the injury happened at work. In exchange, workers' comp is typically your exclusive remedy against your employer, meaning you cannot sue your employer in civil court for the same injury. Personal injury lawsuits against third parties - equipment manufacturers, contractors, or other non-employer parties - are still possible alongside a workers' comp claim and often produce significantly larger recoveries.