The average cost of workers compensation has dropped 10% since 2008

Data published by the state of Oregon shows in which parts of the US employers pay the most for workers compensation.

The most expensive states for workers compensation are Montana, Alaska, Illinois, Oklahoma and California. At the other end of the scale, North Dakota, Indiana, Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Virginia and Colorado are the cheapest, according to the data.

National premium rate indices range from a low of $1.02 per $100 of payroll in North Dakota to a high of $3.33 in Montana. The average value is $2.04, which is a drop of 10 percent from the $2.26 median of the 2008 study.

The premium rate indices are calculated based on data from 51 jurisdictions, for rates in effect as of January 1, 2010.