Workers' Compensation Calculator
Calculate your total workers' compensation benefit based on your weekly wage, degree of disability, and duration. Helpful for injured workers estimating income replacement during recovery.
Last updated: September 2026
Formula below · 1 source (Wikipedia) · Updated Sep 2026
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About this calculator
Workers' compensation replaces part of the wages lost when an employee is injured on the job. Most states pay two-thirds (66⅔%) of the average weekly wage, up to a state maximum weekly benefit. This calculator computes: weekly rate = min(weeklyWage × 2/3, maxWeeklyBenefit). For temporary total and permanent total disability, total benefit = weekly rate × weeks. For permanent partial disability, the weekly rate is scaled by the impairment rating: total = weekly rate × rating% × weeks, where the weeks come from your state's schedule for the injured body part (or a whole-body figure). Some states use different percentages (60%–70%), separate maximums for partial disability or fixed scheduled awards, and medical care is paid separately, so check your state's rules.
How to use
Example 1 (temporary total): An injured worker earns $900 per week and is off work for 26 weeks. Weekly rate = $900 × 2/3 = $600 (under a $1,200 cap). Total = $600 × 26 = $15,600. Example 2 (permanent partial): the same worker is left with a 20% rating on a 300-week schedule. Total = $600 × 20% × 300 = $36,000. With the default inputs ($800 wage, temporary total, 52 weeks) the total is $533.33 × 52 = $27,733.33.
Frequently asked questions
How is workers' compensation calculated for a partial disability?
Partial disability benefits are calculated by applying both the standard wage replacement rate (typically 66.67%) and the disability percentage to your average weekly wage. For example, a 50% partial disability means you receive two-thirds of your wage multiplied by 0.50 for the scheduled number of weeks. States classify partial disabilities as either temporary partial — where you can still work at reduced capacity — or permanent partial, which may involve a scheduled benefit for specific body parts. Scheduled injuries like loss of a finger or hearing loss have fixed benefit durations defined in each state's workers' comp statute, regardless of actual wage loss.
What is the difference between temporary and permanent disability in a workers' compensation claim?
Temporary disability benefits cover the period while you recover and are expected to return to work. Temporary total disability (TTD) applies when you cannot work at all during recovery; temporary partial disability (TPD) applies when you can work but at reduced hours or pay. Permanent disability benefits apply once a doctor determines your condition has reached 'maximum medical improvement' and you will not fully recover. Permanent total disability may provide lifetime benefits, while permanent partial disability is typically paid as a lump sum or scheduled weekly payments based on your impairment rating.
Can my employer reduce or terminate my workers' compensation benefits?
Yes, an employer or insurer can seek to modify or terminate benefits under specific circumstances. If a treating physician clears you to return to work — even light-duty work — and your employer offers a suitable position, benefits can be reduced or stopped. Benefits may also end if you reach maximum medical improvement, refuse reasonable medical treatment, or the benefit period defined by your state expires. Disputes are resolved through your state's workers' compensation board or industrial commission. If you believe benefits were wrongly terminated, you have the right to request a hearing and should consider consulting a workers' comp attorney.