Workers' Comp for Janitorial in Idaho (2026)

How workers' comp works for janitorial in Idaho

Idaho is an NCCI state with a competitive private insurance market. The Idaho Industrial Commission (IIC) administers all claims and rates. The Idaho Department of Insurance reviews and approves NCCI filings. Idaho has achieved nine consecutive years of workers' compensation rate reductions, reflecting improving loss experience and a stable medical cost environment. The 2026 filing brought a further 2.5% overall decrease effective January 1, 2026 — the ninth consecutive year of reductions. Any Idaho employer with one or more employees must carry WC coverage; there is no employee-count threshold.

Class code and rate (2026)

• Code 9014 — Janitorial Services by Contractors, No Window Cleaning Above Ground Level & Drivers. NCCI Idaho 2026 rate filing approved at -2.5% overall (effective 1/1/2026). Indicative market rate for Idaho 9014: approximately $1.95–$2.05/$100 payroll post-reduction. NCCI rates for Idaho are available through the IIC website (iic.idaho.gov) or NCCI Customer Service (800-622-4123).
• Code 9170 — Above-ground window cleaning. Substantially higher; separate payroll records required.

Indemnity benefits (Idaho 2026)

• Max weekly TTD: $1,135 (effective 1/1/2026 per Idaho IIC 2026 Benefit Table).
• Min weekly TTD: $170.25 (effective 1/1/2026; = 15% of average state weekly wage).
• PPD (55% rate): max $624.25/week; PTD (90% rate): max $1,021.50/week.
• Waiting period: 5 calendar days (longer than most states' 3-day wait); first 5 days paid retroactively if disability exceeds 14 days (Idaho Code §72-408).
• Compensation rate: 67% of average weekly wage, capped at statutory maximum (Idaho Code §72-408).

Coverage thresholds and exemptions

• Mandatory for all employers with 1 or more employees; no employee-count minimum (Idaho Code §72-301).
• Exempted: certain seasonal farm workers, casual employees not in regular course of business, sole proprietors (may elect coverage), certain executive officers of corporations.
• Independent contractor test: Idaho uses a 20-factor IRS-based test combined with Idaho Code §72-102(11); janitorial cleaning contractors are typically deemed employees.

Failure-to-insure penalty

Under Idaho Code §72-209, operating without required WC insurance is a misdemeanor. An uninsured employer is liable for all WC benefits owed plus a 10% penalty on medical and wage-loss benefits and the injured worker's reasonable attorney fees. Civil penalties accrue at $2.00 per employee per day or $25.00 per day, whichever is greater, for the entire period of noncompliance. The IIC may file suit in district court for an injunction prohibiting the employer from operating until insurance is secured.

Cost drivers specific to janitorial in Idaho

• Top injuries (BLS NAICS 561720): slips/falls, back/shoulder strains, chemical exposure — consistent with national janitorial profile; Idaho's agricultural and industrial facility cleaning adds equipment-related hazards.
• Nine consecutive years of rate reductions reflect Idaho's favorable medical cost environment and improving injury rates.
• Idaho's 5-day waiting period (vs. 3 days in most states) means the employer absorbs 2 extra days of potential wage liability before WC vests — factor into leave policies.
• Bid-math note: at ~$2.00/$100, load WC at approximately 2.0% of gross wages in Idaho bids. Experience mod qualification threshold: ~$7,500 in expected losses per NCCI guidelines.

Primary sources

• Idaho Industrial Commission (IIC)
• IIC — Current Workers' Compensation Rates (NCCI 2026)
• IIC — 2026 Benefit Table
• Idaho DOI — 2026 Rate Decrease Press Release
• BLS NAICS 561720 Injury Data