Workers’ Compensation Rates Increasing in 2026: What Washington Dentists Should Know
Washington State employers, including dental practices, will see an increase in workers’ compensation insurance rates beginning January 1, 2026, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
While any increase in operating costs is important to plan for, there are steps dentists can take to manage their exposure and control long-term claim costs.
What's Changing in 2026
L&I has announced that workers’ compensation insurance premiums will rise an average of 4.9% statewide in 2026. Dental practices specifically (Risk Class 6109: Physicians and Medical Clinics) will see an increase of 8.8%. For additional information, see the press release from L&I here. In general, the increase will cost employers an average of $71 per year per full-time employee, however your actual rate depends on your claims history and the number of hours worked by employees. Year to year, employers pay about 75% of workers’ compensation premiums, while employees pay the remaining 25%.
L&I cited rising costs for medical care, wage replacement benefits, and overall claims expenses as the primary drivers of the increase. Washington’s system is also unique in that premiums are based on hours worked, not payroll. As wages increase, L&I adjusts rates to keep the system financially stable.
What Dentists Can Do to Control Costs
While rate increases are set at the state level, practice owners still have meaningful ways to influence their workers’ compensation costs, including:
- Providing a safe workplace to prevent injuries before they happen
- Responding quickly and appropriately when an injury occurs
- Managing claims proactively to avoid unnecessary costs and delays
The way a claim is handled, especially in its early stages, can have a significant impact on both claim duration and premium costs.
How WSDA L&I Advantage Can Help
The 2026 workers’ compensation increase mirrors rising costs impacting many practices across the industry. However, having expert support in place before a claim occurs can make a meaningful difference for your practice, your team, and your bottom line.
To support members through situations like this, the Association offers WSDA L&I Advantage, a free benefit for WSDA members.
WSDA L&I Advantage provides:
Strategic Claims Management: Expert guidance through every step of the L&I process, from injury reporting to resolution, to help reduce claim costs and prevent future premium increases due to claims.
Dedicated Support: Work directly with knowledgeable professionals who understand the unique environment of dental offices.
Return-to-Work Reimbursement: Receive up to $50,000 per claim in wage reimbursements when bringing injured employees back on modified duty, which can keep employees engaged and healing, reduce time-loss costs, and lower long-term premium impacts.
Enrollment takes just minutes and is completely free for WSDA practice-owner members. Learn more and apply here today!
