On September 1, 2026, California is raising the workers comp dual wage thresholds for contractors again, and this one is a big jump. In this episode of the Risky Assets Podcast, Charlie and Daniel break down what the dual wage threshold actually is, why paying an employee more can end up costing you less, and how to plan for it before your renewal and your year end audit catch you off guard.
If you run a construction business in California, this is the kind of change that can quietly cost you thousands, so we walk through the real math, the ten year trend, and exactly what to do about it.
RESOURCES
Dual Wage rate sheet (PDF): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nOEHc-Zob4opeUO_1QjPiVmSg4KFLl7Q/view?usp=drive_link
WCIRB dual wage (official): https://www.wcirb.com/products-and-services/classification-search
Talk to Greyhawk / onboard: https://greyhawkinsurance.useindio.com/sign-up/BAu9UDjo6U9SLPaSXrur
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 What you need to know about Dual Wage
4:00 The math: pay your people, not the insurer
10:35 A decade of rising thresholds
12:45 Finding your break even point
17:57 How Greyhawk can help
ABOUT RISKY ASSETS
The Risky Assets Podcast is produced by Greyhawk Premier Insurance Solutions. Every episode is an honest conversation with entrepreneurs about building businesses, taking smart risks, and protecting what you create.
FOLLOW THE SHOW
Instagram: @greyhawkinsurance
#RiskyAssets #Greyhawk #WorkersComp #DualWage #Contractors #Construction #California #SmallBusiness
What is Risky Assets?
What do you really know about insurance? Charlie Deaver and Daniel Clarke host Risky Assets, a podcast about insurance, financial strategy, entrepreneurship, and business management. They talk about how insurance is a means to investing in the future, and a necessary tool to be wielded by business owners. Their goal in both the podcast and their work at Greyhawk Insurance is to educate people on what proper structure is for their insurance, to think creatively about risk, and to share their experience with business owners who care about doing insurance right.