State Heatmap
Hover any state to see annual inspection volume, average fine, total penalties, and key regulations driving compliance burden. Red = heavier regulatory environment.
OSHA inspection data from SafetyRecord.org (DOL public API). Scores composite: Tax Foundation 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index + OSHA state-plan status + Cato Freedom in 50 States 2023.
Most business-friendly
South Dakota
268 inspections/yr · avg $1K fine
Wyoming
397 inspections/yr · avg $427 fine
New Hampshire
495 inspections/yr · avg $878 fine
North Dakota
285 inspections/yr · avg $1K fine
Arizona
1,417 inspections/yr · avg $352 fine
Highest regulatory burden
New York
6,469 inspections/yr · avg $522 fine
California
6,820 inspections/yr · avg $879 fine
Hawaii
1,044 inspections/yr · avg $351 fine
New Jersey
3,450 inspections/yr · avg $1K fine
Connecticut
1,174 inspections/yr · avg $602 fine
Regulatory burden score (1–9): Composite of three sources. Tax Foundation 2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index (55% weight, inverted so rank 1 = score 10). OSHA enforcement type — states with comprehensive state OSHA plans tend toward more active enforcement (25% weight, –1 for state plan states). Cato Institute Freedom in the 50 States 2023 qualitative ranking (20% weight, ±1 for top/bottom quintile).
Inspection counts:SafetyRecord.org aggregates the DOL public OSHA enforcement data API. Cumulative inspection totals are divided by a 55-year average calibrated against California's confirmed 2023 Cal/OSHA annual figure of 6,820 inspections. Oregon uses the confirmed OR-OSHA FY2023 FAME report figure (2,687).
Average fine: SafetyRecord.org cumulative penalties divided by cumulative violations per state. Total annual penalties are estimated from annual inspections × violations-per-inspection ratio × average fine.
Run a free compliance audit to see exactly which regulations apply to your business — no matter which state you operate in.