Wyoming Workers' Compensation 2026
Workers' compensation in Wyoming: Mandatory (monopolistic state fund). Coverage typically required at 1+ employee. Average premium runs $1.10 per $100 of payroll for a standard risk class. Market type: Monopolistic state fund.
Requirement Status
Mandatory
monopolistic state fund
Employee Threshold
1+ employee
Mandatory coverage trigger
Avg Cost Per $100 Payroll
$1.10
Standard risk class average
Wyoming Workers' Comp Compliance
| Rule | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Market type | Monopolistic state fund | Where you buy your policy |
| Employee threshold | 1+ employee | Trigger for mandatory coverage |
| Sole proprietor exemption | Sole proprietors and partners may voluntarily elect coverage through Wyoming Workers' Safety and Compensation Division; they are not required to do so. | Self-employed coverage rules |
| Industry-specific rules | All industries with 1+ employee covered through the state fund. Private workers' comp insurance not permitted. Domestic servants are excluded. Some agricultural operations may have specific classifications. | Higher-hazard industries have stricter rules |
Premium rates are state class-code-based. Construction, roofing, and trucking pay $5–$20+ per $100 of payroll; clerical and office work pays $0.10–$0.40. Experience modification factors (EMR) further adjust your final rate.
Wyoming Workers' Compensation: Monopolistic State Fund in an Energy-Driven Economy
Wyoming operates a monopolistic workers' compensation system through the Wyoming Workers' Safety and Compensation Division (WCD) within the Department of Workforce Services. Wyoming is the fourth monopolistic state — alongside North Dakota, Ohio, and Washington — where private workers' comp insurance is prohibited, and all employers must purchase coverage from the state fund. Wyoming's economy is dominated by energy extraction (coal, oil, natural gas), mining, agriculture, and tourism. The state's workers' comp rates are moderate despite significant energy sector exposure, partly because Wyoming's overall wage base is lower than in other energy states and partly because the state's workforce is relatively small.
Wyoming employers — especially those in oil and gas, coal mining, and construction — must obtain coverage directly from the WCD. The monopolistic structure means there is no private market competition, and rates are set by the state based on classification codes. Out-of-state employers bringing workers into Wyoming for project work must obtain WCD coverage or verify that their out-of-state policy includes a Wyoming endorsement — a common compliance gap for multistate contractors. Sole proprietors and partners are not required to enroll but may voluntarily do so, which is advisable for those working in energy extraction or construction. Wyoming's coal mining industry, while declining, continues to generate significant high-rate classifications. The WCD also administers safety and loss control programs to help employers reduce their experience modification rates over time.
What to Know About Workers' Compensation in Wyoming
Why workers' comp matters
Workers' comp pays medical bills + lost wages for injured workers and provides 'exclusive remedy' protection — employees generally can't sue you for workplace injuries when coverage is in place. Operating without required WC can mean massive personal liability and state penalties.
Notable feature in your state
Wyoming is one of four monopolistic states — all employers must obtain workers' comp exclusively from the Wyoming Workers' Safety and Compensation Division. Private insurance is not permitted.
Market type explained
Wyoming is a monopolistic state — you must purchase workers' comp from the state fund only. Private carriers cannot sell WC here. For coverage outside the state fund (employer's liability), you need a separate stop-gap endorsement.
Wyoming Pro Tip
Workers' Compensation FAQs — Wyoming
Is workers' compensation required in Wyoming?
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Yes. Wyoming is one of four monopolistic states — all employers with one or more employees must obtain workers' comp exclusively from the Wyoming Workers' Safety and Compensation Division. Private workers' comp insurance is not permitted. Out-of-state employers sending workers into Wyoming must ensure WCD coverage is in place for those workers.
How much does workers' comp cost in Wyoming?
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Wyoming's average workers' comp cost is approximately $1.10 per $100 of payroll. Coal mining, oil field service work, and roofing carry significantly elevated rates due to the serious injury hazards involved. Agriculture, retail, and office work are well below the average. Since all coverage is through the WCD state fund, rates are set by the state with no private market competition.
Can I opt out of workers' comp as a sole proprietor in Wyoming?
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Sole proprietors and partners are not required to enroll in Wyoming's state fund. Voluntary enrollment through WCD is available and is strongly recommended for sole proprietors who work in coal mining, oil field services, construction, or other hazardous occupations. Without voluntary coverage, you personally bear full financial liability for any on-the-job injury.
Related Guides
Compliance rules from Wyoming's Department of Labor and Workers' Compensation Commission; rate averages reflect 2026 NCCI loss cost filings and state fund rate orders.
Sarah Mitchell
Editorial Lead, Catastrophe & Commercial Property
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed May 2026
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