Overview
This chart shows the annual percent change in the statewide average wage and the annual percent change in the average workers' compensation premium rate per hour going back to 1999.
Since 2012, the annual percent change in the statewide average wage has been higher than the change in the average workers' compensation premium rate per hour.
Values
Numerical values presented in the image:
| Year | Wage Inflation | Hourly Rate Change |
| 2023 | 4.8% | |
| 2022 | 3.1% | |
| 2021 | 7.5% | 0.0% |
| 2020 | 10.1% | -0.8% |
| 2019 | 6.7% | -4.9% |
| 2018 | 5.5% | -2.6% |
| 2017 | 5.0% | 0.7% |
| 2016 | 4.8% | 2.0% |
| 2015 | 2.6% | 0.8% |
| 2014 | 4.2% | 2.7% |
| 2013 | 2.0% | 0.0% |
| 2012 | 3.4% | 0.1% |
| 2011 | 3.6% | 12.2% |
| 2010 | 2.1% | 7.7% |
| 2009 | 1.9% | 3.1% |
| 2008 | 3.4% | 3.4% |
| 2007 | 5.0% | -1.9% |
| 2006 | 5.4% | -0.5% |
| 2005 | 3.5% | 3.7% |
| 2004 | 0.6% | 9.8% |
| 2003 | 2.3% | 28.7% |
| 2002 | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| 2001 | 0.9% | -2.0% |
| 2000 | 3.6% | 0.2% |
| 1999 | 8.4% | -2.3% |
- The adopted hourly rate change is shown for 2023.
- Wage inflation percentages are the annual changes in the Statewide Average Annual Wage calculated by the Washington State Employment Security Department.
- Hourly rate changes are based on a 6/30/22 distribution of hours by risk classification, assume an average experience modification factor of 0.91, and exclude the impact of the 2007 rate holiday.
Presentation
The annual percent changes in the statewide average annual wage and the average hourly premium rates are shown as 2 lines, to compare them over the years 1999 – 2023.