PA Workers Comp Calculator
MASONRY
2026 PCRB Loss Cost
The official PCRB loss cost for class code 653 is $3.927 per $100 of annual payroll, effective April 1, 2026. This is the base pure-loss component before applying your carrier's Loss Cost Multiplier (LCM), Experience Modifier (EMR), expense constant, and PA Act 57 assessment.
Estimated 2026 Premium Examples
Based on typical assumptions: LCM 1.50 · EMR 1.00 · 100/500/100 employer liability limits. Actual premiums will vary by carrier and individual risk factors.
| Annual Payroll | Manual Premium | Total Est. Cost (incl. $350 + PA 2.18%) |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $2,945 | $3,367 |
| $100,000 | $5,891 | $6,377 |
| $250,000 | $14,726 | $15,405 |
| $500,000 | $29,453 | $30,452 |
| $1,000,000 | $58,905 | $60,547 |
* Assumes LCM 1.50 · EMR 1.00 · Exp. constant $350 · PA Act 57 assessment 2.18%
About Class Code 653: MASONRY
Pennsylvania workers' compensation class code 653 covers operations classified as MASONRY. It belongs to Hazard Group G, which the PCRB uses to group similar-risk occupations for statistical credibility in ratemaking.
When your workers' comp policy is issued, your insurer assigns a class code to each group of employees based on the work they actually perform. Using the correct class code is critical: under-classification can lead to coverage gaps and audit surcharges; over-classification means you're paying more than required.
With a elevated loss cost of $3.927 per $100 payroll, this classification reflects elevated physical risk — manual labor or environments with meaningful injury potential.
How to Reduce Your Workers' Comp Premium for This Code
Hazard Group G represents the highest-risk classifications in the PCRB system — underground mining, logging, roofing, demolition, and similar operations with the highest injury rates and costs.
- Work with a specialty broker who places high-hazard extraction and construction risks
Group G operations are often declined by standard commercial carriers. A broker who specializes in high-hazard industries has access to surplus lines markets, specialty programs, and SWIF alternatives that generalist brokers don't. The difference in pricing and coverage terms between a specialty placement and a default SWIF policy can be significant. - Implement a formal incident investigation protocol for every injury
In Group G operations, individual claims can easily exceed $100,000 and dramatically affect your EMR. A formal root-cause investigation for every recorded injury — identifying contributing factors and corrective actions — demonstrates to underwriters that you are actively managing risk, which can influence both market access and pricing. - Explore OSHA or MSHA partnership programs for premium credit eligibility
Some carriers and specialty programs offer premium credits for Group G employers who participate in OSHA's voluntary protection programs (VPP) or have MSHA compliance partnerships. Achieving VPP Star status is a multi-year investment, but it signals safety excellence to underwriters and can unlock lower LCMs and better market access. - Review your policy's exclusions line by line before binding
Group G policies sometimes contain operation-specific exclusions that leave certain activities uncovered. Mining exclusions, height restrictions for roofing work, or equipment type limitations can void coverage for exactly the injuries most likely to occur. Have a qualified attorney or specialist broker review the exclusions section before binding any Group G policy.
Use the Full Calculator for Code 653
Enter your actual payroll, LCM, EMR, and employer liability limit for a personalized estimate using your specific inputs.
Open Premium Calculator →