The cost of misclassification to social insurance funds in Maryland, low and high estimates, net difference relative to W-2 workers, 2024 dollars
| Occupation | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Construction workers | $1,258 | $2,230 |
| Customer Service reps/Call center workers |
$867 | $1,419 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers |
$877 | $2,340 |
| Home health and personal care aides |
$719 | $1,241 |
| Janitors and Cleaners | $778 | $1,274 |
| Landscaping Workers | $847 | $1,386 |
| Light truck delivery drivers | $762 | $2,033 |
| Housekeeping cleaners | $667 | $1,092 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $365 | $927 |
| Retail Sales Workers | $650 | $1,045 |
| Security guards | $847 | $1,386 |
Notes: Estimates represent the difference in contributions to social insurance funds—Social Security, Medicare, federal and state Unemployment Insurance, and Workers' Compensation—between a W-2 employee and an independent contractor under two models. The low estimate reflects the difference when the independent contractor receives full compensation for health and retirement benefits. The high estimate reflects the difference when the independent contractor receives no compensation for health and retirement benefits.
Source: EPI analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employer Cost for Employee Compensation (ECEC) 2024Q2 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Research Estimates by State and Industry May 2023 data.