Occupational group · 2005 PDRS §§4–5
Occupational Group 251
In the California 2005 PD Rating Schedule, occupational group 251 covers jobs such as AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTION SPECIALIST, AUDITOR, FIELD, and CLAIM ADJUSTER, FIELD. Your occupational group sets the variant applied to each impairment, which adjusts the standard rating up or down before the age adjustment. Here a physical impairment lowers the rating.
How group 251 adjusts a rating
The occupational variant (C–J) for each impairment, and what it does to a standard 20% rating for this group.
| Impairment | Variant | Standard 20 → | Change |
|---|
| Spine — back / neck | E | 18% | -2 |
| Shoulder | D | 16% | -4 |
| Knee | E | 18% | -2 |
| Wrist / carpal tunnel | E | 18% | -2 |
| Grip / pinch strength | F | 20% | ±0 |
| Psychiatric | I | 27% | +7 |
| Hearing loss | J | 29% | +9 |
| Respiratory / lungs | F | 20% | ±0 |
Illustrative: a standard rating of 20% is shown. The variant is fixed per impairment + group; the size of the adjustment scales with the rating (PDRS Section 5). The calculator applies the exact variant for your impairment.
What that means in dollars for group 251
Three common injuries at 10% WPI, rated with group 251's own variants:
Computed live by the rating engine — 10% WPI, age 42–46, single impairment, no apportionment, dollars at the 2026 maximum PD rate. Run any combination in the calculator.
Jobs in occupational group 251 · 31
Every occupation the PDRS assigns to group 251. All of these rate the same way.
AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTION SPECIALISTAUDITOR, FIELDCLAIM ADJUSTER, FIELDCOIN MACHINE COLLECTORCOLLECTOR, OUTSIDEDOG LICENSERDRIVER'S LICENSE EXAMINERFASHION COORDINATORGOLF COURSE RANGERINSPECTOR, FOOD AND DRUGINSPECTOR, HEALTH CARE FACILITIESINSPECTOR, QUALITY ASSURANCEINSPECTOR, TRANSPORTATIONINSTRUCTOR, DRIVINGINVESTIGATORINVESTIGATOR, INSIDE/OUTSIDEPOLICE ARTISTPROCESS SERVERPURCHASING AGENTREAL ESTATE AGENTREPORTERSALES REP, COMPUTERS AND EDP SYSTEMSSALES REP, DOOR-TO-DOORSALES REP, FARM, GARDEN EQPT. & SUPPLIESSALES REP, LIVESTOCKSALES REP, OFFICE MACHINESSALES REP, RECREATION, SPORTING GOODSSALES REP, SECURITY SYSTEMSSALES REP, WOMEN'S AND GIRLS' APPARELSALESPERSON, AUTOMOBILESSCOUT, PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
Group 251 rating FAQ
What is occupational group 251 in California workers’ comp?
Occupational group 251 is one of the 45 groups in the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule. It covers jobs such as AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTION SPECIALIST, AUDITOR, FIELD, and CLAIM ADJUSTER, FIELD. The group number sets the “occupational variant” applied to each impairment, which adjusts the standard rating up or down (PDRS Sections 4 and 5).
Does my occupational group change my permanent-disability rating?
Yes. After the whole-person impairment is converted to a standard rating, the occupational group applies a variant (C–J) that raises or lowers it before age adjustment. For group 251, a physical impairment such as a spine or knee injury lowers the rating relative to the standard.
How much does group 251 adjust a 20% standard rating?
Spine: 18% (-2); Shoulder: 16% (-4); Knee: 18% (-2); Wrist / carpal tunnel: 18% (-2); Grip / pinch strength: 20% (±0); Psychiatric: 27% (+7); Hearing loss: 29% (+9); Respiratory / lungs: 20% (±0).
Is this a legal PD rating?
No — it’s an estimate for informational use. Always confirm the occupational variant and final rating against the DEU. RateString rates strict AMA Guides values under the 2005 PDRS.
Rate an actual case — free
Pick the exact occupation, enter WPI, and get a defensible PD rating in under a minute.
All 45 occupational groups