What code 5474 covers
Typical duties
- Surface prep: pressure washing, scraping, sanding, caulking and patching
- Brush, roll and spray application on walls, ceilings, trim and exteriors
- Working from ladders, scaffolds, swing stages and lifts on exterior jobs
- Masking, protecting floors and furniture, and site cleanup
- Elastomeric and waterproof coatings on stucco and block walls
- Hanging wallcovering on commercial interiors
Operations included
- Residential and commercial painting contractors
- New-construction and repaint work, interior and exterior
- Painting crews that apply coatings to stucco, block and siding
- Drivers and helpers of the painting business
What code 5474 does not cover
- Painting done only in your own shop, such as cabinets or doors: 9501
- Drywall hanging and finishing before paint: 5445
- Stucco and plaster application: 5480
- Executive supervisors who never do hands-on work: possibly 5606
- Office staff who stay in a separated office: 8810
Code 5474 rate and cost context
The 2026 rate for 5474 is $4.481 per $100 of payroll. It has come down every year since 2022, with a large drop between the 2023 and 2024 filings, so repaint contractors who have not re-quoted recently should.
Falls from ladders and scaffolds and overspray exposure drive painting claims. Fall protection plans matter both for OSHA and for keeping the experience mod low.
Because painting is construction in Florida, a general contractor can be held responsible for a sub’s uninsured workers under section 440.10. GCs routinely ask painters for a certificate before the first day on site.
| Year | Rate per $100 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $7.14 |
| 2023 | $6.55 |
| 2024 | $5.13 |
| 2025 | $5.01 |
| 2026 | $4.481 |
If you are placed in the FWCJUA
Florida’s residual market charges the voluntary rate plus a surcharge on the voluntary premium: 93% in Tier 1 and 183% in Tiers 2 and 3 for 2026. On this code that works out to about $8.65 (Tier 1) or $12.68 (Tiers 2–3) per $100 of payroll before any experience mod.
Example: estimating code 5474 premium
Picture a painting contractor with two exterior crews and one interior crew, $400,000 of annual payroll in code 5474.
| Annual payroll in this code | $400,000 |
| Voluntary-market premium (rate × payroll ÷ 100) | $17,924 |
| FWCJUA Tier 1 (with 93% surcharge) | $34,593 |
| FWCJUA Tiers 2–3 (with 183% surcharge) | $50,725 |
Example only. Assumes no experience modification, schedule credits, expense constant or taxes. Minimum premium applies if the result is lower ($608 / FWCJUA $2,900).
Misclassification pitfalls for code 5474
Shop work reported as field painting, or the reverse
A company that refinishes cabinets in its shop and also paints houses has two exposures. The shop payroll can be 9501 only with time records and a genuinely separate shop operation.
Drywall finishing under the painting code
Taping, mudding and sanding drywall is wallboard work (5445). Painters who also finish drywall need time records to split the payroll.
Owner exemption that has lapsed
Florida construction exemptions must be renewed. A painter whose exemption expired is uncovered on the GC’s jobsite, which can lead to a stop-work order.
Paying helpers as 1099 subcontractors
Helpers who work under your direction, with your tools and materials, are employees for workers comp purposes. Uninsured “subs” are added to your 5474 payroll at audit.
Codes that sit next to 5474
- Code 9501: for painting done only in a shop, with no field work by those employees.
- Code 5445: for hanging and finishing drywall.
- Code 5480: for stucco and plastering.
- Code 5606: for executive supervisors who do not perform or directly supervise hands-on work.
- Code 8810: for estimators and office staff in a separated office.
Payroll and audit notes for code 5474
Payroll includes hourly wages, piece-rate or per-room pay, and bonuses. The premium portion of overtime is excluded when recorded separately.
For an employee who both paints and hangs drywall, keep time sheets by job and task. NCCI allows the split in construction only with verifiable records; otherwise the higher-rated code applies to the whole wage.
Collect a certificate of insurance or exemption from every subcontracted painter before they start, and keep it with the job file. Florida’s Proof of Coverage database lets you check them.
Who usually reports code 5474
- Residential repaint companies
- Commercial and new-construction painting subcontractors
- Condo and HOA exterior repaint contractors
- Elastomeric coating and waterproofing painters
- Property-management painting crews working for multiple owners
Code 5474 questions
What is the workers comp code for painters in Florida?
Field painting contractors use 5474, Painting or Paperhanging NOC and Drivers. Shop-only painting is 9501.
What is the 2026 Florida rate for painting code 5474?
The OIR-approved NCCI rate is $4.481 per $100 of payroll, effective January 1, 2026. FWCJUA policies add a 93% or 183% surcharge by tier.
Does a one-person painting business need workers comp in Florida?
Painting is construction, so coverage is required from the first employee. A sole owner can apply for a construction exemption with the Division of Workers’ Compensation instead.
Is exterior painting a different code from interior painting?
No. Interior and exterior field painting both use 5474 in Florida.
Can a painter be exempt as an LLC officer?
Florida allows up to three corporate officers of a construction business to be exempt if each owns at least 10% of the company and the exemption is filed with the state.
Sources
- NCCI: Summary of the Florida Workers Compensation Rate Filing Recommendation Effective January 1, 2026
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation: Commissioner approves 6.9% workers’ compensation rate decrease effective January 1, 2026 (Nov. 17, 2025)
- Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association (FWCJUA): Rates (2022–2026 rate tables and minimum premiums)
- FWCJUA: Bulletins (Bulletin 25-9: 2026 Tier 1, 2 and 3 surcharges)
- NCCI: Summary of the Florida Workers Compensation Rate Filing Recommendation Effective January 1, 2027 (filed Aug. 21, 2026)
- Florida Statutes: Section 440.02 — Definitions (employee, employer, construction industry)
- Florida Statutes: Section 440.10 — Liability for compensation (contractors and subcontractors)
- Florida Statutes: Section 440.107 — Compliance, stop-work orders and penalties
- Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation: Certificates of election to be exempt
- Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation: Proof of Coverage database
- OSHA: Fall protection in construction
Facts checked October 12, 2026.