Workers' Compensation Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Workers' Compensation Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Workers' Compensation Manager in the United States is $111,562 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

However, a Workers' Compensation Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $121,680
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,470 to $116,858
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $103,744

Key Factors That Influence Workers' Compensation Manager Salaries

A Workers' Compensation Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Workers' Compensation Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Workers' Compensation Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Workers' Compensation Administrator I (0-2 years): $61,371
  • Workers' Compensation Administrator II (2-4 years): $73,223
  • Workers' Compensation Administrator III (4-7 years): $85,456
  • Workers' Compensation Manager (7+ years): $111,562
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Workers' Compensation Administrator I0-2 years$61,371
Workers' Compensation Administrator II2-4 years$73,223
Workers' Compensation Administrator III4-7 years$85,456
Workers' Compensation Manager7+ years$111,562

Top Paying Cities for Workers' Compensation Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $140,713
  • San Francisco: $139,172
  • Oakland: $136,240

What Skills Can Increase a Workers' Compensation Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Risk Management (Mentioned in 13.57% Job Postings): Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. Risks can come from various sources including uncertainty in financial markets, threats from project failures (at any phase in design, development, production, or sustainment life-cycles), legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters, deliberate attack from an adversary, or events of uncertain or unpredictable root-cause. There are two types of events i.e. negative events can be classified as risks while positive events are classified as opportunities. Several risk management standards have been developed including the Project Management Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, actuarial societies, and ISO standards. Methods, definitions and goals vary widely according to whether the risk management method is in the context of project management, security, engineering, industrial processes, financial portfolios, actuarial assessments, or public health and safety.
  • Accounts Receivable (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): Accounts receivable is a legally enforceable claim for payment held by a business for goods supplied and/or services rendered that customers/clients have ordered but not paid for. These are generally in the form of invoices raised by a business and delivered to the customer for payment within an agreed time frame. Accounts receivable is shown in a balance sheet as an asset. It is one of a series of accounting transactions dealing with the billing of a customer for goods and services that the customer has ordered. These may be distinguished from notes receivable, which are debts created through formal legal instruments called promissory notes.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Risk Management 13.57%
Accounts Receivable 1.81%
PowerPoint 1.81%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Workers' Compensation Manager's salary.

  • Root Cause Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Collaborating: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Root Cause Analysis $128,296
15%
Commitment $120,487
8%
Collaborating $119,371
7%

Workers' Compensation Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Workers' Compensation Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $124,675. While startup companies pay approximate $105,462.

Workers' Compensation Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $105,462
Growth Stage 51~500 $111,537
Established 501~5000 $120,390
Enterprise 5000+ $124,675

Workers' Compensation Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Workers' Compensation Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Workers' Compensation Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Workers' Compensation Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Workers' Compensation Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$156,187$75.040%
Aerospace & Defense$145,031$70.030%
Pharmaceuticals$139,452$67.025%
Energy & Utilities$133,874$64.020%
Healthcare$128,296$62.015%

How Education impacts a Workers' Compensation Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Workers' Compensation Manager enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Workers' Compensation Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $111,326 and $120,076.

Workers' Compensation Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Workers' Compensation Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 27.4%
Associates 8.2%
Bachelors 47.9%
Masters 13.7%
Doctorate 1.4%

Workers' Compensation Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Workers' Compensation Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$107,470
Average $111,562/year
$116,858
$8,956
Average $9,297/month
$9,738
$2,067
Average $2,145/week
$2,247
$52
Average $54/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $116,858 $9,738 $2,247 $56
Average $111,562 $9,297 $2,145 $54
25th Percentile $107,470 $8,956 $2,067 $52

Most common benefits for Workers' Compensation Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Workers' Compensation Manager

Here are companies hiring for Workers' Compensation Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Workers' Compensation Manager

1. Where can a Workers' Compensation Manager earn the most?

A Workers' Compensation Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Workers' Compensation Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Workers' Compensation Manager is $140,713.

2. What is the highest pay for Workers' Compensation Manager?

The highest pay for Workers' Compensation Manager is $121,680.

3. What is the lowest pay for Workers' Compensation Manager?

The lowest pay for Workers' Compensation Manager is $103,744.

4. What are the responsibilities of Workers' Compensation Manager?

Responsible for developing, maintaining, and managing a company's workers' compensation program. Implements all matters of the program, including claim investigations, settlements, and litigation. Establishes standards and procedures for all matters relating to workers' compensation. Responsible for finding an insurance provider that meets organizational goals of employee coverage and cost effectiveness. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a head of unit/department. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Extensive knowledge of department processes. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 to 3 years supervisory experience may be required.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Workers' Compensation Manager?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Workers' Compensation Manager roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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