Workers Comp for Construction Companies
Construction businesses pay an average of $8,000–$25,000 per year in workers comp premiums. The most common classification mistake is classifying office and admin staff under field worker codes. Here's how to make sure you're paying the right amount.
Real savings example
A 15-person general contractor with 3 office staff could save $4,000–$8,000/year by splitting clerical employees into code 8810 instead of the governing class code.
Common NCCI Codes for Construction
| Code | Description | Rate/$100 |
|---|---|---|
| 5403 | Carpentry | $9.42 |
| 5190 | Electrical Wiring | $4.88 |
| 5022 | Masonry | $7.59 |
| 5474 | Painting | $6.84 |
| 5213 | Concrete Work | $5.96 |
| 5551 | Roofing | $18.85 |
| 5606 | General Contractor | $8.12 |
| 8810 | Clerical Office | $0.16 |
Rates are approximate national averages per $100 of payroll. Actual rates vary by state and insurer.
Tips to Lower Your Construction Workers Comp Premium
Office and clerical staff should always be coded separately from field workers
Subcontractors must carry their own workers comp — if they don't, their payroll gets added to yours
Your experience modification rate (EMR) has a huge impact — a clean safety record can reduce your premium by 20–40%
Audit your payroll classifications annually, especially if you've added new roles
Check if your construction business is misclassified
Our free 2-minute tool compares your setup against NCCI benchmarks.
Check My Premium \u2192This guide is for informational purposes only and is not insurance advice.