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Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements in Wyoming
Wyoming is one of just four monopolistic-fund states — every employer buys through the Department of Workforce Services from day one. Trade Safe helps contractors line up the coverage that pairs with it.
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Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements in Wyoming
Wyoming contractors can’t shop workers’ comp on the open market the way most of the country does. Nearly every employer, from the very first hire, must register directly with the state’s Workers’ Compensation Division, and skipping that step carries misdemeanor exposure on top of financial penalties.
Wyoming Workers’ Compensation Legal Requirements
Wyoming requires essentially all employers with at least one employee to register for coverage through the Department of Workforce Services Workers’ Compensation Division, with limited statutory exemptions for certain employer or employee categories.
- Coverage is mandatory from the first employee — there is no small-employer exemption
- Coverage is administered through the state fund (Department of Workforce Services Workers’ Compensation Division); private carriers cannot sell this coverage except to specifically exempt employers
- Non-compliance can be charged as a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000 and up to 1 year imprisonment, plus day-to-day financial penalties
- Uninsured employers also expose themselves to direct civil suits from injured employees who would otherwise be limited to the workers’ comp system
How Wyoming’s Workers’ Comp System Works
System type: Monopolistic State Fund
Wyoming’s monopolistic_note per the Oregon DCBS study: “Workers’ comp is administered exclusively through a monopoly state fund — no private carrier option, no self-insurance.” Nearly every employer must register directly with the Department of Workforce Services rather than shop a private carrier, and Wyoming is one of only four states (alongside Washington, Ohio, and North Dakota) that runs this kind of exclusive state-fund model. The Oregon study ranks Wyoming’s overall premium index 8th of 51 states at 130% of the national median.
How Wyoming’s Rates Compare by Trade
| Trade (NCCI Class Code) | National Rank (of 51) | Rate per $100 of Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing (Class 5551) | 42nd of 51 | $3.32 |
| Electrical Wiring (Class 5190) | 5th of 51 | $3.32 |
| Plumbing NOC (Class 5183) | 13th of 51 | $3.32 |
Source: Oregon Dept. of Consumer and Business Services, 2024 Workers’ Compensation Premium Rate Ranking Study (published June 2025) — the only study benchmarking all 50 states plus DC on a common industry mix.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim in Wyoming
Injured workers file claims directly with the Department of Workforce Services Workers’ Compensation Division rather than a private insurer, reflecting the state-fund structure. Employers report injuries to the Division, which administers benefits and manages the claim, unlike states with competing private carriers.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Wyoming treats failure to maintain required coverage as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail, in addition to day-to-day financial penalties assessed by the Division, and it exposes the employer to direct civil suit by an injured worker.
Resources: Wyoming DWS – Workers’ Compensation, Wyoming Dept. of Insurance – Workers’ Comp, Wyoming Statutes Title 27, Chapter 14
How Much Does Workers’ Comp Insurance Cost in Wyoming?
Wyoming’s state-fund rates in the Oregon study land at the same flat $3.32 base for roofing, electrical, and plumbing, though industry-specific hazard classifications can adjust that further within the fund’s own rating system.
| Trade | Estimated Cost per $100 Payroll | What Drives It |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing | $3.32 (per the Oregon study’s Class 5551 rate) | Ranks 42nd of 51 — notably lower than roofing rates in most other states |
| Electrical | $3.32 (per the Oregon study’s Class 5190 rate) | Ranks 5th-highest nationally for this trade despite the same flat rate |
| Plumbing | $3.32 (per the Oregon study’s Class 5183 rate) | Ranks 13th of 51 — a mid-to-high rate for this trade nationally |
What Moves the Price Up or Down
- Because Wyoming is monopolistic, there’s no carrier shopping — your rate class within the state fund is what determines cost
- Extra-hazardous industry classification can affect required coverage details even though most employers pay into the same fund
- Claims history still affects the employer’s experience rating with the fund over time
- Overall Wyoming ranks 8th of 51 states at 130% of the national median index, so base costs run above average
Rates are drawn from the Oregon DCBS 2024 Workers’ Compensation Premium Rate Ranking Study base index rates; because Wyoming is a monopolistic state, actual cost depends on your state-fund risk classification and claims experience rather than carrier shopping. Talk to Trade Safe about the coverage that complements your required state-fund registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy Wyoming workers’ comp from a private insurer?
Generally no. Wyoming is one of four monopolistic-fund states — most employers must register and pay into the state fund through the Department of Workforce Services. Only specifically exempt employers may use the private market.
Does Wyoming require coverage from the first employee?
Yes. There is no small-employer exemption; coverage is required as soon as a business has one employee, though certain industries and worker categories carry statutory exemptions.
What’s the penalty for an uninsured Wyoming employer?
Non-compliance can be charged as a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail, along with additional day-to-day financial penalties.
Can an injured Wyoming worker sue an uninsured employer directly?
Yes. Employees of illegally uninsured employers can pursue civil suits outside the normal workers’ comp system, exposing the employer to broader liability than the state-fund claims process.
Workers’ compensation requirements and penalties can change; verify current rules with the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services before making coverage decisions.
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