Reference
Value of a statistical life
Estimated 2026 VSL
Source documentUS DOT — Guidance on Treatment of the Economic Value of a Statistical Life (2021 update) Download PDF$14,700,000
Estimated with the US DOT adjustment formula, VSL2026 = VSL2025 × (CPI-U change) × (real income change)1.0, starting from the DOT 2025 value of $14,200,000. It assumes 2.7% CPI-U inflation and 1.0% growth in real median weekly earnings (income elasticity 1.0). Replace this with DOT's published 2026 figure once it's released.
| MAIS level | Severity | Fraction of VSL | 2026 value |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAIS 1 | Minor | 0.003 | $44,100 |
| MAIS 2 | Moderate | 0.047 | $690,900 |
| MAIS 3 | Serious | 0.105 | $1,543,500 |
| MAIS 4 | Severe | 0.266 | $3,910,200 |
| MAIS 5 | Critical | 0.593 | $8,717,100 |
| MAIS 6 | Unsurvivable | 1.000 | $14,700,000 |
Fractions from DOT Table 2, Relative Disutility Factors by Injury Severity Level (MAIS). Multiply the fraction for a person's most serious injury by the VSL.