PA Workers Comp Calculator
Pennsylvania landscaping businesses face significant workers' comp costs due to the outdoor, physical nature of the work. Equipment injuries, heat illness, and musculoskeletal strains are common — but proactive safety and accurate classification can meaningfully reduce your premium.
Landscaping workers face elevated injury rates from equipment operation (mowers, trimmers, blowers), outdoor hazards (heat, uneven terrain), and repetitive physical demands. Seasonal businesses with variable payrolls benefit from pay-as-you-go billing to avoid large deposits and audit surprises.
2026 Workers' Comp Rates for Landscaping in Pennsylvania
Based on 2026 PCRB loss costs · LCM 1.50 · EMR 1.00 · Includes $350 expense constant + PA 2.18% assessment. Actual carrier premiums will vary.
| Class Code | Description | Loss Cost | $50K Payroll | $100K Payroll | $250K Payroll | $500K Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 012 | LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR | $2.487 | $2,264 | $4,169 | $9,887 | $19,417 |
| 013 | NURSERY | $1.039 | $1,154 | $1,950 | $4,339 | $8,320 |
| 005 | TREE PRUNING | $5.135 | $4,293 | $8,228 | $20,034 | $39,710 |
* LCM 1.50 · EMR 1.00 · Expense constant $350 · PA Act 57 assessment 2.18%
Common Workers' Comp Risks in Landscaping
- ▸ Injuries from lawn mowers, trimmers, and blowers
- ▸ Eye injuries from flying debris
- ▸ Heat illness during summer months
- ▸ Strains from repetitive lifting and digging
- ▸ Vehicle accidents during transport between jobs
- ▸ Chemical exposure from pesticides and fertilizers
How to Reduce Your Workers' Comp Cost in Landscaping
Industry-specific strategies that lower your premium — not generic advice.
- Implement mandatory PPE: eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, and steel-toed boots
- Establish heat illness prevention protocols for summer months
- Require certification for pesticide and chemical handling
- Separate tree-trimming payroll (Code 061) from general grounds maintenance (Code 012) — rates differ significantly
- Keep accurate records of office/administrative staff payroll for Code 953 allocation
- Consider pay-as-you-go billing to match coverage to seasonal payroll fluctuations
Calculate Your Landscaping Workers' Comp Premium
Enter your actual payroll, class code, LCM, and EMR for a personalized 2026 estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions — Landscaping Workers' Comp in PA
Is tree trimming covered under landscaping workers' comp?
Tree trimming and arborist work uses a different class code (Code 061) than general landscaping (Code 012) because it carries significantly higher risk. If your company does both, payroll should be split between the two codes accordingly. See also: tree service workers' comp.
How does seasonal payroll affect my landscaping workers' comp premium?
Workers' comp premium is based on actual payroll — seasonal fluctuation is captured in the annual policy audit. Pay-as-you-go billing options allow you to pay premium with each payroll run rather than making a large upfront deposit based on estimated annual payroll.