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What Is the Highest Workers Comp Class Code Rate?

Roofing consistently holds the highest workers comp class code rate in the construction trades — and understanding why helps you manage the cost.

• ✓Roofing code 5551 is the highest-rated construction trade code
• ✓Rates of $8–$22 per $100 of payroll depending on state and EMR
• ✓Ironwork, demolition, and structural concrete also carry very high rates
• ✓Accurate classification and a low EMR are the primary cost controls

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The Highest-Rate Construction Class Codes

Workers comp class codes are rated based on the statistical frequency and severity of injuries in that job category. Roofing carries the highest rate because falls from height consistently produce the most severe injuries in construction — and roofing work is inherently performed at height on surfaces that require constant balance.

NCCI code 5551 (roofing) typically rates $8–$22 per $100 of payroll. Code 5040 (ironwork/structural steel) often rates $7–$18 per $100. Demolition (5160) runs $6–$14. Structural concrete (5213) runs $5–$12. These trades also face limited carrier availability in standard markets.

By contrast, interior trades like drywall (5445), painting (5474), and floor covering (5478) typically rate $2–$4.50 per $100. Clerical workers (8810) are among the lowest at $0.20–$0.50 per $100 in most states.

Managing Premium in High-Rate Trades

For contractors in roofing, ironwork, and demolition, the class code rate is largely fixed — you can’t change the trade you’re in. The controllable lever is your EMR. A roofer with a 0.75 EMR pays dramatically less than one with a 1.30 EMR on identical payroll.

Safety programs that specifically target fall protection — OSHA 10/30 training, documented harness and PPE policies, daily pre-task planning, and toolbox safety talks — directly reduce the frequency of the injuries that drive the code rate high.

Some high-risk contractors find that organizing work by contract type allows partial code diversification. A roofing company that also does gutters or flat-surface waterproofing may qualify for a split classification between 5551 and a lower-rated code for the non-roofing work.

You Might Also Find Helpful

• Workers Comp Class Codes for Contractors
• High-Risk Workers Comp Markets for Contractors
• Experience Modification Rate (EMR) Explained
• How Much Does Workers Comp Cost for a Contractor?

Roofing or High-Risk Trade? We Have the Right Markets.

We specialize in high-rate trades and work with carriers who price roofing, ironwork, and demolition competitively for contractors with solid safety records.