The basic formula
Weekly benefit = average weekly wage × benefit rate, limited to the state's maximum and minimum for your date of injury.
- Average weekly wage is your gross pay before the injury, averaged over a period set by state law.
- Benefit rate is usually 66 2/3%. Exceptions: Michigan pays 80% of after-tax wages; Ohio pays 72% for the first 12 weeks; Pennsylvania pays 90% or a flat amount to lower earners.
- Maximum and minimum are set by each state, most often once a year. Your limits are fixed by the date you were hurt.
Rates by state
| State | Rate | Maximum | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 66 2/3% | $2,045.63 | None or varies |
| North Carolina | 66 2/3% | $1,446.00 | $30.00 |
| Pennsylvania | 66 2/3% (90% or flat for low wages) | $1,394.00 | None or varies |
| Florida | 66 2/3% | $1,358.00 | $20.00 |
| New York | 66 2/3% | $1,281.50 | $384.45 |
| Ohio | 72%, then 66 2/3% | $1,281.00 | $427.00 |
| Michigan | 80% of after-tax | $1,201.00 | None or varies |
| Georgia | 66 2/3% | $800.00 | $50.00 |
Examples
| State | $800/week | $1,200/week | $2,000/week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $533 | $800 | $1,333 |
| North Carolina | $533 | $800 | $1,333 |
| Pennsylvania | $697 | $800 | $1,333 |
| Florida | $533 | $800 | $1,333 |
| New York | $533 | $800 | $1,282 |
| Ohio | $576 | $864 | $1,281 |
| Michigan | $640 | $960 | $1,201 |
| Georgia | $533 | $800 | $800 |
High earners feel the cap most. In Georgia, where the maximum is $800, anyone earning more than $1,200 a week receives the same $800 check.
Other benefits you may receive
- Medical care for the injury, paid separately and with no waiting period.
- Temporary partial disability if you return to work at lower pay.
- Permanent partial disability for a lasting impairment, often paid by body-part schedule. Estimate it with the settlement calculator.
- Death benefits for dependents if a work injury is fatal.
Because workers' compensation is generally exempt from federal income tax, a two-thirds benefit can replace more of your take-home pay than it seems. See the tax rules.
Frequently asked questions
Does workers comp pay 100% of your wages?
No. Most states pay about two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a weekly maximum. Michigan pays 80% of after-tax wages, and Ohio pays 72% for the first 12 weeks. Workers with very low wages may receive their full wage under some states' minimum rules.
How much does workers comp pay for a $1,000 a week job?
In most states it is about $667 a week, two-thirds of $1,000, which is below every maximum in the states we cover. Use the calculator for your state.
Does workers comp pay for medical bills?
Yes. Medical treatment for the work injury is a separate benefit from wage replacement and is not reduced by the waiting period.
Sources
Checked November 3, 2026.
- Florida DFS, Maximum Compensation Rate Table (archived October 1, 2026)
- Georgia HB 480 (2023), Act 259, amending O.C.G.A. 34-9-261
- SSA POMS DI 52150.045, Chart of States' Maximum Workers' Compensation Benefits (10/06/2026)
- Michigan WDCA, state average weekly wage chart
- NY WCB Subject No. 046-1805, maximum and minimum benefit rates effective July 1, 2026
- NC Industrial Commission, maximum weekly compensation rates
- Ohio BWC, compensation rates 2011 to 2026 (rev. February 19, 2026)
- PA Department of Labor & Industry, statewide average weekly wage and 2026 rates