California Permanent Disability Rating Chart & Calculator (2026)
Your permanent disability (PD) rating is the single most important factor in determining your workers' comp settlement value. Under Labor Code §4660, California converts your medical impairment into a dollar value using the Permanent Disability Rating Schedule. This guide provides the complete 2026 PD rating chart showing exactly how much each rating percentage is worth.
How the PD Rating System Works
California's permanent disability system converts your medical impairment into a percentage that reflects how the injury affects your ability to compete in the open labor market. The process involves several steps, each building on the last.
PD Rating Calculation Steps
- 1. Whole Person Impairment (WPI): Your evaluating physician assigns a WPI percentage using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition. This is a purely medical assessment of your physical impairment.
- 2. Occupation Group: Your job is classified into an occupation group ranging from sedentary (Group 110) to very heavy (Group 590). Physically demanding jobs receive higher ratings because the same impairment has a greater impact on earning capacity.
- 3. Age Adjustment: Your age at the time of injury affects the rating. Older workers generally receive higher ratings because they have less time and capacity to retrain for alternative occupations.
- 4. FEC Rank Adjustment: The Future Earning Capacity adjustment (ranks 1-8) further modifies the rating based on how the disability affects your ability to earn a living going forward.
- 5. Final PD Rating: The adjusted number is your permanent disability rating percentage, which determines your weekly benefit rate and number of weeks of benefits under Labor Code §4658.
2026 Permanent Disability Rating Chart
The following table shows the PD benefit value for key rating percentages. Weekly rates and number of weeks are determined by Labor Code §4658. The "Total Value" column shows the PD benefit amount only -- your actual settlement may be higher when factoring in future medical care, SJDB voucher, and other benefits.
Important Note on Rates
Weekly PD rates depend on your actual earnings. The table below uses the maximum weekly rate for each tier. If your earnings are lower, your actual weekly rate will be proportionally lower. The minimum weekly rate is $160 for ratings under 70% and $240 for ratings 70% and above.
| PD Rating | Weekly Rate (Max) | Number of Weeks | Total PD Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | $290 | 15.75 | $4,568 |
| 10% | $290 | 34.00 | $9,860 |
| 15% | $290 | 54.75 | $15,878 |
| 20% | $290 | 78.00 | $22,620 |
| 25% | $290 | 100.75 | $29,218 |
| 30% | $290 | 130.50 | $37,845 |
| 40% | $290 | 194.75 | $56,478 |
| 50% | $290 | 275.00 | $79,750 |
| 60% | $290 | 330.00 | $95,700 |
| 70% | $435 | 401.75 | $174,761 |
| 80% | $435 | 475.00 | $206,625 |
| 90% | $435 | 549.75 | $239,141 |
| 100% | $1,764/wk | Life | $1,764/week for life |
Settlement Value vs. PD Benefits
The "Total PD Value" column above shows only the permanent disability benefit amount. Your actual settlement value in a Compromise & Release (C&R) is typically higher because it also includes a buyout of future medical care. For example, a 25% PD rating worth $29,218 in benefits might settle for $45,000 to $65,000 via C&R when future medical costs are factored in.
Understanding PD Rate Tiers
California's PD benefit structure has two distinct tiers that determine your weekly payment rate:
| Rating Range | Weekly Rate Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1% - 69.75% | $160 - $290/week | Standard tier; rate based on earnings (3/4 of 1/52 of annual earnings) |
| 70% - 99.75% | $240 - $435/week | Higher tier; increased rate reflects severe disability |
| 100% | $1,764.11/week | Permanent total disability; paid at TD rate for life |
The jump at 70% is significant. A 69% rating at $290/week is worth far less than a 70% rating at $435/week. This threshold makes the difference between a 69% and 70% rating worth tens of thousands of dollars -- which is why ratings near this boundary are frequently contested.
Age and Occupation Modifiers
Two key modifiers can significantly shift your PD rating up or down: your age at the time of injury and your occupation group.
Occupation Groups
The PDRS classifies all occupations into groups based on physical demands. The same 10% WPI translates to a higher PD rating for a construction worker than for an office worker, because the impairment has a greater impact on a physically demanding job.
Example: Same WPI, Different Occupations
- 10% WPI (upper extremity) -- Office worker (Group 110): Final PD rating approximately 12-14%
- 10% WPI (upper extremity) -- Warehouse worker (Group 380): Final PD rating approximately 16-19%
- 10% WPI (upper extremity) -- Construction laborer (Group 490): Final PD rating approximately 20-24%
Age at Time of Injury
Generally, older workers receive modestly higher PD ratings because they have less remaining career time to adapt and retrain. A 45-year-old with the same WPI as a 25-year-old will typically receive a PD rating that is 1-3 percentage points higher. This age adjustment recognizes the diminished ability of older workers to switch careers or retrain for less physically demanding work.
FEC Rank Adjustments
The Future Earning Capacity (FEC) adjustment is the most subjective -- and most frequently disputed -- component of the PD rating. FEC ranks range from 1 to 8:
- FEC Rank 1-2: Minimal impact on future earning capacity. Rating decreases slightly.
- FEC Rank 3-4: Moderate impact. Rating stays close to the pre-FEC number.
- FEC Rank 5-6: Significant impact. Rating increases moderately.
- FEC Rank 7-8: Severe impact, often involving career change or inability to return to prior occupation. Rating increases substantially.
Insurance companies routinely argue for low FEC ranks to minimize your rating. An experienced attorney can advocate for an appropriate FEC rank by presenting evidence of your actual vocational limitations. For a deeper explanation, see our guide on how your PD rating works.
Apportionment: How It Reduces Your Rating
If you have pre-existing conditions, prior injuries, or age-related degeneration, the insurance company can reduce your PD rating through apportionment under Labor Code §4663. For example, if you receive a 20% PD rating but the evaluating physician apportions 25% of your disability to pre-existing arthritis, your compensable rating drops to 15% -- reducing your PD benefits from $22,620 to $15,878.
Apportionment must be based on substantial medical evidence. Vague or speculative apportionment can be challenged. An attorney can contest unfair apportionment by arguing that your work activities caused or accelerated the underlying condition.
C&R vs. Stipulations: How Settlement Type Affects Value
How you settle your case dramatically affects the total amount you receive. A Compromise & Release (C&R) closes your entire case with a lump sum that includes a buyout of future medical care. Stipulations with Findings & Award pays your PD benefits (often in installments) but keeps your right to future medical care open. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on C&R vs. Stipulations.
Calculate Your Estimated Value
Want to see what your specific PD rating translates to in dollars? Our free workers' comp settlement calculator takes your injury details, earnings, age, and occupation to generate an estimated range for your total claim value -- including PD benefits, TD benefits, and potential future medical care buyout.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a permanent disability rating calculated in California?
A California PD rating is calculated in multiple steps. First, your doctor assigns a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) percentage using the AMA Guides, 5th Edition. This WPI is then adjusted using the Permanent Disability Rating Schedule (PDRS), which applies modifiers for your age at the time of injury, your occupation (grouped into categories from sedentary to very heavy), and a Future Earning Capacity (FEC) adjustment. The final adjusted number is your PD rating percentage, which determines both your weekly benefit rate and the number of weeks of benefits you receive.
What is the maximum permanent disability payment in California in 2026?
For injuries occurring in 2026, the maximum weekly PD rate is $290 per week for ratings between 1% and 69.75%, and the minimum is $160 per week. For ratings of 70% or above, the weekly rate increases to a maximum of $435 per week (minimum $240). At 100% permanent total disability, you receive $1,764.11 per week (the same as the temporary disability maximum) for life. The total dollar value of a PD award depends on both the weekly rate and the number of weeks payable at your rating level.
How many weeks of permanent disability benefits do I get?
The number of weeks depends on your PD rating percentage. A 5% rating pays for 15.75 weeks. A 10% rating pays for 34 weeks. A 25% rating pays for 100.75 weeks. A 50% rating pays for 275 weeks. The number of weeks increases steeply at higher ratings -- a 70% rating pays for 401.75 weeks, and ratings at or near 100% pay for life. The exact number is set by a statutory formula in Labor Code section 4658.
What is the FEC (Future Earning Capacity) adjustment?
The FEC adjustment is the final modifier in the PD rating calculation. It adjusts the rating based on how much the disability is expected to affect your future ability to earn a living. FEC ranks range from 1 (minimal impact) to 8 (severe impact). The adjustment is based on the nature of your disability, your occupation, and how the impairment affects your earning capacity. A higher FEC rank increases your PD rating; a lower rank decreases it. FEC adjustments are one of the most contested aspects of PD ratings and are frequently disputed by insurance companies.
Can I dispute my permanent disability rating?
Yes. If you disagree with the PD rating assigned by the insurance company's doctor, you have several options. You can request a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) if you are unrepresented, or your attorney can arrange an Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME). You can also challenge the rating by disputing the underlying WPI, arguing that the wrong occupation group was used, challenging apportionment, or contesting the FEC adjustment. Most PD rating disputes are resolved through QME/AME evaluations and negotiation, but they can go to trial before the WCAB if necessary.
Get Your PD Rating Reviewed for Free
Insurance companies frequently undervalue PD ratings by using low FEC ranks, aggressive apportionment, or the wrong occupation group. Our free case evaluation will review your PD rating, identify if it has been undervalued, and explain what your case is actually worth.
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about California permanent disability ratings. It is not legal advice. PD rates, number of weeks, and total values shown are based on maximum weekly rates and may differ from your actual benefits depending on your earnings, age, occupation, and other factors. The 2026 PDRS applies to injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2026. Contact our office for a free consultation about your specific PD rating and claim value.
David Lamonica (State Bar #165205) has extensive experience challenging PD ratings, disputing apportionment, and negotiating settlements based on fair disability valuations. He understands how insurance companies undervalue claims and fights for full compensation.