Payroll and HR for Chehalis contractors and employers
Chehalis is the Lewis County seat, and alongside county offices and courts it has a strong base of contractors, trades and industrial employers around the Port of Chehalis. For those businesses, payroll isn't just paychecks — it's workers' comp.
Washington runs its own workers’ compensation system through L&I, and premiums are calculated on the hours you report in each risk class. Getting the classes and hours right is one of the biggest controllable costs a Chehalis contractor has.
What's different about running a business in Chehalis
The local rules and situations we see most with Chehalis employers.
L&I risk classes drive your premium
L&I charges by the hour worked in each job classification, and a roofer costs far more to insure than an office manager. Splitting hours correctly when one employee does both kinds of work can save real money — and it has to hold up if L&I audits you.
Contractor registration and safety
Construction contractors in Washington must register with L&I, and employers need a written accident prevention program. We help put the written policies in place and keep training records organized in Zoho.
Chehalis license, no city B&O
Businesses in Chehalis need a Chehalis endorsement on their state business license. Chehalis does not levy a city B&O tax, so contractors report B&O only on the state return.
Washington basics for 2026: the minimum wage is $17.13 an hour, Paid Family & Medical Leave premiums are 1.13% of wages (employers with fewer than 50 employees owe only the employee share), and L&I workers’ comp is reported quarterly by hours worked.
How we help Chehalis businesses
Payroll Administration
On-time payroll through Cascade Payroll or Gusto, with L&I, ESD, Paid Leave and WA Cares reporting handled.
Fractional HR
Offer letters, handbooks, leave policies and employee questions — HR expertise without a full-time hire.
Zoho One Consulting
Zoho CRM, Books, People and Flow set up around how your business actually runs.
Looking for a bookkeeper in Chehalis?
Our Washington bookkeeping service has its own home. See bookkeeping in Chehalis on WashingtonBookkeeper.com.
Payroll services in Chehalis, WA
We run payroll for Chehalis small businesses through Cascade Payroll or Gusto: every pay run, direct deposit, federal and Washington payroll tax filings, and W-2s and 1099s at year-end. We also handle L&I workers’ comp (reported by hours worked), ESD unemployment, Paid Family & Medical Leave and WA Cares, so nothing slips between pay periods.
Payroll is part of our HR & Payroll plan, from $250 a month for your first 2 employees. We can meet at your Chehalis business, at our Rochester office, or by video.
See our payroll servicesQuestions from Chehalis business owners
Can you meet with us in Chehalis?
Can Zoho track hours by job and L&I class?
Where do I get bookkeeping in Chehalis?
Local rules checked October 2026. Rules change — confirm with the agency before acting. We don't prepare tax returns.
Also serving Washington
Talk to us about your Chehalis business
Free consultation — at your place, ours in Rochester, or by video.