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Workers' Comp for Painting Contractors

Painting contractors (NCCI 5474) face moderate-to-high rates due to fall, ladder, and chemical exposure. Interior-only painters may qualify for slightly lower rates than exterior or commercial painters working at heights.

Common class codes for painting contractors

5474 $5.00-$13.00
Painting NOC & Shop Operations
5491 $3.50-$8.50
Paperhanging
9501 $3.50-$8.50
Painting — Shop Only

Why Painting workers' comp is tricky

Carriers scrutinize painters who work above 3 stories, perform sandblasting, or apply industrial coatings — these activities can trigger different (higher) codes.

Tips to lower your painting premium

  • ✓ Stay under 3 stories for the standard code; higher work re-classes
  • ✓ Lead-paint certification is required for older buildings — RRP rule
  • ✓ Spray vs roll equipment can affect underwriter appetite

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We work with carriers that actively want painting contractors — including specialty markets for hard-to-place accounts. Quote takes one minute.

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Painting workers' comp by state

Rates, exemption rules, and rating bureaus for painting contractors vary widely. Pick your state for painting-specific requirements and average rates:

Alabama $1.13 Alaska $2.25 Arizona $1.17 Arkansas $0.83 California $1.45 Colorado $0.92 Connecticut $1.53 Delaware $1.39 Florida $1.42 Georgia $1.06 Hawaii $1.69 Idaho $1.02 Illinois $1.66 Indiana $0.98 Iowa $1.06 Kansas $0.99 Kentucky $1.06 Louisiana $1.59 Maine $1.17 Maryland $0.94 Massachusetts $0.94 Michigan $0.97 Minnesota $1.31 Mississippi $1.20 Missouri $1.10 Montana $1.66 Nebraska $1.10 Nevada $0.81 New Hampshire $1.04 New Jersey $1.99 New Mexico $1.39 New York $1.41 North Carolina $0.84 North Dakota $0.78 Ohio $0.74 Oklahoma $1.13 Oregon $0.93 Pennsylvania $1.27 Rhode Island $1.20 South Carolina $1.34 South Dakota $0.97 Tennessee $0.97 Texas $1.04 Utah $0.88 Vermont $1.50 Virginia $0.83 Washington $1.16 West Virginia $1.32 Wisconsin $1.13 Wyoming $1.27

More painting workers' comp resources