Workers' compensation benefit calculator
Estimate your weekly wage-replacement benefit and total payout from your average weekly wage, replacement rate and weeks of disability — with an optional state maximum cap. Free, private, and calculated right in your browser.
Last updated: 18 June 2026
⚑ An estimate, not legal advice
This tool provides an educational estimate only. Workers' compensation benefits vary enormously by state and by case — waiting periods, caps, benefit classes and offsets differ everywhere. This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult your state workers' compensation board or a licensed attorney before relying on any figure.
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Leave at 0 (or blank) to ignore the cap.
Total estimated benefit
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$0Weekly benefit
0Weeks of disability
$0Average weekly wage
NoCapped?
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Injured at work? Know your benefits before you settle
Insurers often offer less than you may be owed. Understanding your average weekly wage and your state's caps is the first step — and a licensed workers' comp attorney typically reviews your case for free.
Estimate a personal injury claim →How the workers' comp calculator works
Most U.S. states pay an injured worker a temporary disability benefit equal to roughly two-thirds of their pre-injury earnings, up to a state-set ceiling. This calculator uses the standard formula:
Weekly benefit = min( AWW × rate ÷ 100 , state maximum )
where AWW is your average weekly wage before the injury, the rate is your state's wage-replacement percentage (commonly 66.67%, or two-thirds), and the state maximum is the weekly cap. If you leave the cap at 0, it is ignored. Your total estimated benefit is simply the weekly benefit multiplied by your weeks of disability.
These wage-replacement benefits are generally tax-free at the federal level. But the details vary enormously: states differ on the waiting period before benefits start, how the AWW is averaged, the exact replacement percentage, the maximum and minimum rates, and whether benefits are temporary or permanent. The number here is a rough planning estimate, not your actual award.
Frequently asked questions
How are workers' compensation benefits calculated?
Most states pay about two-thirds (66.67%) of your average weekly wage (AWW), capped at a state weekly maximum. The estimate is weekly benefit = min(AWW × rate, state max), multiplied by your weeks of disability for an approximate total.
What is the average weekly wage (AWW)?
It's your gross weekly earnings before the injury, usually averaged over a set period such as the prior 52 weeks. States define exactly which earnings count and how the average is taken, so your state's formula may differ.
Are workers' comp benefits taxable?
Wage-replacement benefits are generally not subject to federal income tax. There can be exceptions, such as when benefits offset Social Security disability. Confirm your situation with a tax professional.
Why is my benefit capped at the state maximum?
Each state sets a maximum weekly rate, often tied to the statewide average wage. If two-thirds of your AWW exceeds that cap, your benefit is limited to the maximum — so higher earners receive less than two-thirds of their wage.
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Sources & further reading
U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (dol.gov/owcp); U.S. Social Security Administration (ssa.gov) on benefit offsets; individual state workers' compensation boards for exact rates, caps and waiting periods. Read our full disclaimer →