What Are Workers' Comp Class Codes?
Workers' compensation class codes are a standardized system for categorizing businesses and occupations based on their risk of workplace injuries. Developed and maintained by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) and state-specific rating bureaus, these codes are the foundation of workers' comp insurance pricing.
Each class code represents a specific type of work and has an assigned rate per $100 of payroll. This rate reflects decades of actuarial data on the frequency and severity of injuries for workers in that classification. Higher-risk occupations have higher rates, while lower-risk occupations have lower rates.
The NCCI classification system includes approximately 700 unique class codes covering virtually every type of work performed in the United States. Codes are organized by industry groups and are periodically reviewed and updated to reflect changes in the workplace.
Why Class Codes Matter
- Premium calculation: Your class code rate is a primary factor in determining your workers' comp premium
- Audit accuracy: Correct classification ensures you pay the right amount during your annual premium audit
- Multiple codes: Businesses with diverse operations can have different codes for different employee groups, potentially reducing costs
- State compliance: Accurate classification is required by law and insurance regulations
NCCI vs. State Rating Bureaus
NCCI operates in 36+ states. The following states have independent rating bureaus with their own classification systems: California (WCIRB), New York (NYCIRB), New Jersey (NJCRIB), Pennsylvania (PCRB), Delaware (DCRB), Massachusetts (MACRB), Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina (NCRB), Indiana, Wisconsin, and North Dakota (monopolistic state fund). While many of these states use similar code numbers, the rates and some classifications may differ.
Common Workers' Comp Class Codes
The following table lists the 50 most commonly used NCCI workers' comp class codes, organized by industry category. These codes cover the vast majority of US businesses.
Office and Professional
| Code | Description | Avg. Rate/$100 | Typical Businesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8810 | Clerical Office Employees | $0.16 | Administrative staff, data entry, accounting |
| 8742 | Salespersons (Outside) | $0.28 | Field sales representatives |
| 8820 | Attorneys – All Employees | $0.18 | Law firms |
| 8832 | Physicians – All Employees | $0.34 | Medical offices, clinics |
| 8868 | College/University Professors | $0.12 | Higher education |
| 7605 | Chauffeurs / Drivers | $3.64 | Delivery, rideshare, courier |
Retail and Hospitality
| Code | Description | Avg. Rate/$100 | Typical Businesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8017 | Retail Store | $0.92 | Shops, boutiques, department stores |
| 8006 | Grocery Store | $2.34 | Supermarkets, food stores |
| 8033 | Meat / Fish / Poultry Dealer | $3.86 | Butchers, seafood markets |
| 9082 | Restaurant | $2.18 | Restaurants, cafes, diners |
| 9083 | Restaurant – Fast Food | $1.86 | Fast food, quick service |
| 9058 | Hotel / Motel | $2.44 | Hotels, motels, resorts |
| 9079 | Bar / Tavern | $2.68 | Bars, pubs, nightclubs |
Construction
| Code | Description | Avg. Rate/$100 | Typical Businesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5403 | Carpentry (Commercial) | $7.84 | Commercial construction carpentry |
| 5437 | Carpentry (Residential) | $9.12 | Residential framing, remodeling |
| 5190 | Electrical Wiring | $4.68 | Electricians, electrical contractors |
| 5183 | Plumbing | $3.92 | Plumbers, pipefitters |
| 5551 | Roofing | $14.22 | Roofing contractors |
| 5022 | Masonry | $6.84 | Bricklayers, stonemasons |
| 5213 | Concrete Work | $5.46 | Concrete contractors |
| 5474 | Painting / Wallpapering | $5.26 | Painters, decorators |
| 5645 | Carpentry (Interior Finish) | $4.88 | Trim, cabinetry installation |
| 6217 | Excavation | $5.92 | Excavation, grading, trenching |
Healthcare
| Code | Description | Avg. Rate/$100 | Typical Businesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8829 | Nursing Home / Skilled Nursing | $3.86 | Long-term care facilities |
| 8833 | Hospital – Professional Employees | $0.78 | Doctors, nurses (hospital) |
| 8835 | Home Health Care | $3.12 | Home health aides, visiting nurses |
| 8834 | Dental Office | $0.38 | Dentists, dental hygienists |
| 8839 | Veterinary | $0.86 | Veterinarians, animal hospitals |
Manufacturing and Industrial
| Code | Description | Avg. Rate/$100 | Typical Businesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3632 | Machine Shop | $3.46 | Precision machining, CNC shops |
| 3681 | Machined Parts Manufacturing | $2.82 | Auto parts, industrial components |
| 2501 | Clothing Manufacturing | $2.14 | Garment factories, sewing |
| 4771 | Printing | $2.68 | Commercial printing |
| 8380 | Automobile Service / Repair | $3.24 | Auto shops, mechanics |
| 2702 | Logging | $18.76 | Timber harvesting |
Services and Technology
| Code | Description | Avg. Rate/$100 | Typical Businesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9015 | Building Operations (Janitorial) | $3.94 | Cleaning services, janitorial |
| 0042 | Landscaping / Lawn Care | $4.52 | Landscapers, lawn maintenance |
| 7380 | Drivers / Trucking | $5.12 | Trucking companies, hauling |
| 8601 | Architect / Engineer (Consulting) | $0.36 | Engineering firms |
| 7720 | Police Officers | $4.92 | Law enforcement |
| 7710 | Firefighters | $6.84 | Fire departments |
| 8803 | Auditing / Accounting | $0.14 | CPA firms, bookkeepers |
Related Calculators and Resources
Use our other free tools and guides to better understand your workers' compensation benefits:
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about this topic.
A workers' comp class code (also called classification code) is a numerical code assigned to a business or specific job type that groups similar occupations based on their risk of workplace injury. Each code has an associated rate per $100 of payroll that reflects the historical frequency and severity of injuries for that type of work. The most widely used system is the NCCI (National Council on Compensation Insurance) classification system, used in 36+ states.
You can find your class code by: (1) Checking your current workers' comp policy declarations page; (2) Contacting your insurance agent or broker; (3) Searching the NCCI Scopes Manual or your state rating bureau's classification guide; (4) Contacting your state's workers' comp board or bureau. Your class code is based on the primary type of work your employees perform, not your business name or SIC/NAICS code.
Yes, many businesses have multiple class codes. Each group of employees performing different types of work may be assigned a different code. For example, a construction company may have codes for carpenters, electricians, clerical staff, and outside salespersons. Accurately separating payroll into the correct codes is important because it ensures each group is rated appropriately rather than all employees being charged the highest rate.
An incorrect class code can result in significantly overpaying or underpaying your workers' comp premium. If you are assigned a higher-risk code than appropriate, you pay more than you should. If assigned a lower-risk code, you may face a premium audit surcharge and back-payment of the difference. You can request a reclassification from your insurer or state rating bureau if you believe your code is incorrect. An annual audit by your insurer typically catches misclassifications.
NCCI class codes are used in the 36+ states where NCCI operates, and the codes and descriptions are generally consistent across these states. However, the rates associated with each code vary by state. Additionally, several states have their own independent rating bureaus with different classification systems: California (WCIRB), New York (NYCIRB), New Jersey (NJCRIB), Pennsylvania (PCRB), Delaware (DCRB), Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and others. These states may use different code numbers or groupings.
Class codes are one of the three main factors in your premium calculation, along with payroll and Experience Modification Rate. The class code rate is multiplied by your payroll (per $100) and your EMR to determine your premium. A clerical code (8810) might have a rate of $0.16 per $100, while a roofing code (5551) might be $14.22 per $100. This means a roofing company pays roughly 90 times more per $100 of payroll than a clerical office for workers' comp insurance.