How much does workers' comp pay in North Carolina?
- North Carolina temporary total pays 66⅔% of average weekly wage, up to $1,446 a week for 2026 injuries ($1,380 for 2025), with a $30 minimum.
- At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800.
- The injury-year rate does not increase with later cost-of-living changes.
Official-source review: . General guidance, not legal advice.
Calculate North Carolina ordinary total-disability pay
Estimated weekly TTD
$800.00
Assumes full temporary disability and a correct AWW. Does not establish eligibility, apply waiting periods or offsets, or model partial disability.
North Carolina permanent-award rules: what actually drives the payout
- North Carolina permanent partial disability under G.S. 97-31 multiplies the compensation rate (66⅔% of AWW within the injury-year maximum) by the schedule weeks and the rating percentage.
- Full-loss weeks: arm 240, hand 200, leg 200, foot 144, eye 120 and back 300.
- A 10% back rating at an $800 rate is 30 weeks, or $24,000.
Medical impairment, legal disability and loss of earning capacity are different measurements. Use the established award category and applicable rate before doing dollar arithmetic. Do not borrow a rating from Social Security, the VA or another state.
| Award basis | Full-loss / full-person weeks |
|---|---|
| Back | 300 |
| Arm | 240 |
| Hand | 200 |
| Leg | 200 |
| Foot | 144 |
| Eye | 120 |
How to evaluate a North Carolina settlement
- The Industrial Commission must approve a settlement as fair and review medical expenses.
- A full clincher agreement releases future medical rights; an agreement on a rating alone is not automatically a full closure.
- No general pre-settlement waiting period was verified.
- Check the wage worksheet, award classification, rating evidence and unpaid benefits.
- Identify exactly which medical conditions, future treatment and wage-loss rights are released.
- Separate gross value from prior payments, approved fees, liens and other adjustments.
- Review Medicare and Social Security coordination when relevant; a medical allocation is not an automatic settlement multiplier.
North Carolina workers' compensation rates by injury date
Dated rate history from official North Carolina sources, reviewed . Looking for employer premiums? See workers' comp insurance cost by state.
| Injury period | Weekly maximum | Minimum basis |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 – December 31, 2026 | $1,446.00 | $30.00; no more than actual wages |
| January 1 – December 31, 2025 | $1,380.00 | $30.00; no more than actual wages |
Reporting, filing and official sources
- Give your employer written notice promptly, ordinarily within 30 days.
- File Form 18 with the Industrial Commission — not just your employer — within two years.
- Exceptions require individual review.
North Carolina benefit questions
How much does workers' comp pay in North Carolina?+
North Carolina temporary total pays 66⅔% of average weekly wage, up to $1,446 a week for 2026 injuries ($1,380 for 2025), with a $30 minimum. At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800. The injury-year rate does not increase with later cost-of-living changes.
How do permanent disability benefits work in North Carolina?+
North Carolina permanent partial disability under G.S. 97-31 multiplies the compensation rate (66⅔% of AWW within the injury-year maximum) by the schedule weeks and the rating percentage. Full-loss weeks: arm 240, hand 200, leg 200, foot 144, eye 120 and back 300. A 10% back rating at an $800 rate is 30 weeks, or $24,000.
Can a North Carolina settlement close future medical care?+
The Industrial Commission must approve a settlement as fair and review medical expenses. A full clincher agreement releases future medical rights; an agreement on a rating alone is not automatically a full closure. No general pre-settlement waiting period was verified.
What are the reporting and filing deadlines in North Carolina?+
Give your employer written notice promptly, ordinarily within 30 days. File Form 18 with the Industrial Commission — not just your employer — within two years. Exceptions require individual review.
Does North Carolina pay permanent partial for a back injury?+
Yes. The back has its own 300-week schedule under G.S. 97-31, multiplied by the rating percentage and the compensation rate.
Does the rating percentage reduce my weekly rate in North Carolina?+
No. The rating scales the number of weeks; the weekly rate stays at 66⅔% of AWW within the injury-year maximum.
Is telling my employer the same as filing a North Carolina claim?+
No. Employer notice and filing Form 18 with the Industrial Commission are separate steps, and the two-year filing deadline applies to the Commission filing.
What if my North Carolina rating is low but I cannot return to my job?+
Wage-loss disability is analyzed separately from a schedule rating, and the better remedy can depend on the facts. Compare both before signing an agreement.
Does surgery guarantee a larger North Carolina settlement?+
No. Surgery can change treatment costs, restrictions and medical evidence, but there is no automatic surgery multiplier. Permanent disability must be established under the applicable rules. Compare the benefits released and future care needs, not just the procedure name.
Are North Carolina workers' comp benefits taxable?+
Benefits paid under a workers' compensation law for an occupational injury or illness are generally excluded from federal income tax. Returned-to-work wages, retirement payments and Social Security offsets can have different tax treatment. Review IRS Publication 525 and seek tax advice for the agreement's allocations.
Can I receive pain and suffering through North Carolina workers' comp?+
Workers' compensation generally does not award pain and suffering. A separate claim against a responsible third party may allow different damages, but employer immunity and reimbursement rights need separate legal review.
When should I compare a North Carolina settlement offer?+
Compare an offer after understanding the wage calculation, medical condition, permanent-award category, unpaid benefits and rights released. There is no guaranteed settlement timeline. A bigger lump sum may be worse if it transfers expensive future treatment to you.
Where can I verify my North Carolina benefit rate?+
Use the official agency resources linked on this page and the written rate calculation in your claim. Injury date, benefit category, wage records and applicable limits matter. An entered rate is not independently verified by this calculator.
These calculations are estimates based on your inputs and general workers' compensation formulas. Actual benefits depend on state law, your specific injury, employer insurance carrier, and other factors. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for guidance specific to your claim.