Occupations / Group 290
Occupational group · 2005 PDRS §§4–5

Occupational Group 290

In the California 2005 PD Rating Schedule, occupational group 290 covers jobs such as BARBER, BEAUTICIAN, and COSMETOLOGIST. 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 barely changes the rating.

How group 290 adjusts a rating

The occupational variant (C–J) for each impairment, and what it does to a standard 20% rating for this group.

ImpairmentVariantStandard 20Change
Spine — back / neckE18%-2
ShoulderG22%+2
KneeE18%-2
Wrist / carpal tunnelH25%+5
Grip / pinch strengthF20%±0
PsychiatricH25%+5
Hearing lossI27%+7
Respiratory / lungsF20%±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 290

Three common injuries at 10% WPI, rated with group 290's own variants:

Final PDTotal @ 2026 max
Back (lumbar)15.03.01.0014%$13,413Full table →
Shoulder16.02.01.0017%$17,545Full table →
Knee17.05.04.0014%$13,413Full table →

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 290 · 5

Every occupation the PDRS assigns to group 290. All of these rate the same way.

BARBERBEAUTICIANCOSMETOLOGISTELECTROLOGISTHAIR STYLIST

Group 290 rating FAQ

What is occupational group 290 in California workers’ comp?
Occupational group 290 is one of the 45 groups in the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule. It covers jobs such as BARBER, BEAUTICIAN, and COSMETOLOGIST. 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 290, a physical impairment such as a spine or knee injury barely changes the rating relative to the standard.
How much does group 290 adjust a 20% standard rating?
Spine: 18% (-2); Shoulder: 22% (+2); Knee: 18% (-2); Wrist / carpal tunnel: 25% (+5); Grip / pinch strength: 20% (±0); Psychiatric: 25% (+5); Hearing loss: 27% (+7); 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.
Related: What comp pays · Settlement chart by injury
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