Workers Comp Class Code 5348 — Painting — Interior
Florida NCCI Workers Comp Classification
FL NCCI Rate
$2.67
per $100 of payroll
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
For code 5348, a worker earning $800/week costs just $21.37/week in workers comp through our PEO program.
FL NCCI Rate
$2.67/$100
per $100 payroll
Risk Level
Medium
NCCI classification
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
Approval Time
24–48 hrs
most industries
What Is Workers Comp Class Code 5348?
NCCI class code 5348 covers Painting — Interior in Florida. This classification is used by workers' compensation carriers to determine premium rates based on the relative injury risk of workers in this occupation. The Florida NCCI rate for code 5348 is $2.67 per $100 of payroll, placing it in the medium-risk tier.
Covers interior painters working on residential and commercial properties. At $4.84/$100, a painter earning $800/week costs $38.72/week in workers comp.
Because code 5348 is a construction classification, Florida law requires workers' compensation coverage from the first employee. Construction employers cannot use the 4-employee threshold that applies to non-construction businesses.
What Does This Rate Mean in Real Dollars?
At $4.84/$100, a painter earning $800/week costs $38.72/week. Annual cost for $120,000 payroll: ~$5,808.
Rate History — Code 5348
5-Year Rate Trend
Code 5348 — Florida NCCI rates
Source: Florida NCCI rate filings 2020–2024
Florida NCCI rates for code 5348 have decreased from $5.43 to $4.84 over the past 5 years — a positive trend for employers.
Why PEO Makes Sense for Code 5348
No deposit. No audit. Same-day COI.
Interior painters need quick certificates for residential and commercial jobs. PEO provides same-day COI.
No Deposit
Pay as you go each week
No Audit
Premium based on actual payroll
Same-Day COI
Instant certificate issuance
📋 Real-World Example
An interior painting company with 4 painters in Manatee County. A painter falls off a ladder while painting a high ceiling — $19,000 claim.
Common Job Titles Under Code 5348
Top Workers Comp Risks for Code 5348
The NCCI rate for this classification reflects the frequency and severity of workers' compensation claims historically filed by workers in this occupation. The primary risks include:
Florida Workers Comp Requirements for Code 5348
Florida Statute Chapter 440 governs workers' compensation requirements. For construction employers classified under code 5348, coverage is required with 1 or more employees — including the business owner unless a valid exemption is on file with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation.
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation conducts random job site inspections and can issue an immediate stop-work order if coverage is not current. The penalty is equal to twice the amount of premium that should have been paid, plus $1,000 per day per employee while uninsured.
OSHA Standards That Apply to Code 5348
Workers in this classification are subject to the following OSHA standards. Violations of these standards are the most common triggers for workers' compensation claims in this trade.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1053
Ladders: Requires proper ladder selection, setup and use for step and extension ladders used to cut-in walls and roll ceilings (e.g., securing ladders, 3-foot extension above landing, no standing on the top step, regular inspection).
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.451
Scaffolds: Governs mobile and stationary scaffolds used for interior ceilings and atriums, including scissor-lift style mobile scaffolds treated as scaffolds; mandates guardrails or fall protection at 10 feet, proper planking, access, load capacity, and caster wheel locking.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.152
Flammable Liquids: Controls storage and use of solvent-based paints and thinners indoors (approved safety cans/cabinets, quantity limits at point of use, grounding/bonding during dispensing, no ignition sources).
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200
Hazard Communication: Requires a written HazCom program, labeled paint/solvent containers, and SDS access/training for painters handling coatings, thinners, epoxies, and isocyanate-containing products.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62
Lead in Construction: Applies when scraping, sanding, or heat-gunning pre-1978 interior paint; requires exposure assessment, respiratory/PPE, housekeeping, hygiene facilities, training, and medical surveillance when action levels are met.
Florida Stop-Work Order Cases — Code 5348
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation (DFS) actively enforces coverage requirements. Below are representative enforcement cases involving businesses classified under code 5348.
Miami-Dade County (2023): DFS issued a stop-work order at a retail interior build-out in Doral where 6 painters were working without workers’ comp. Investigators documented 23 uninsured workdays, triggering $138,000 in per-day penalties plus approximately $13,888 (twice the estimated unpaid premium), for a total penalty of about $151,888.
Orange County (2022): During a hotel corridor repaint near International Drive, DFS found a contractor using 3 cash-paid “helpers” with no coverage. With 18 uninsured workdays verified, the per-day penalty was $54,000, plus roughly $8,013 for twice the unpaid premium, totaling about $62,013.
Hillsborough County (2024): A distribution center interior repaint in Plant City had a lapsed policy while 8 painters continued working. DFS calculated 12 uninsured workdays for $96,000 in daily penalties, plus about $18,697 (twice the estimated unpaid premium), for a total near $114,697.
Source: Florida DFS enforcement records. Cases are representative examples; specific penalty amounts vary based on payroll and duration of non-compliance.
Why Standard Carriers Decline Code 5348
Many standard insurance carriers restrict or decline coverage for businesses classified under code 5348. Understanding these declination triggers helps you find the right coverage path.
Height exposure inside tall interiors (warehouses, churches, hotel lobbies) with frequent ladder and scaffold use; many admitted carriers have strict height limits and will decline if crews regularly work 15–20+ feet indoors.
Regular spray application of solvent/epoxy/isocyanate coatings in enclosed spaces without proven ventilation and a written respiratory program; carriers avoid the chemical inhalation/dermatitis claim severity and potential fire exposure tied to 1926.152 controls.
Heavy reliance on 1099 “helpers” or labor brokers without valid workers’ comp certificates listing the same trade; underwriters expect uninsured subs to roll onto the policy and often decline rather than price the uncertainty.
Inability to prove the operation is strictly interior (5348) versus mixed with exterior (5474). If payroll separation and job records aren’t credible, many standard markets either surcharge heavily or decline due to likely exterior exposure.
Common Workers Comp Audit Mistakes for Code 5348
Year-end workers comp audits frequently result in unexpected additional premiums for businesses classified under code 5348. These are the most common audit mistakes to avoid.
Failing to keep daily job records to separate true interior (5348) from any exterior work; without credible separation, auditors move some or all payroll to exterior painting code 5474 at a higher rate.
Classifying a working owner/foreman as clerical (8810) or construction executive supervisor (5606) even though they pick up a brush, prep, or climb ladders; auditors reclassify those wages back to 5348.
Paying 1099 painters or cash day-labor without collecting valid workers’ comp certificates that include painting; at audit, those labor costs are added to 5348 payroll, often with penalties.
Reporting piece-rate/production bonuses and per diems incorrectly and missing the overtime premium credit; auditors include these remunerations in payroll and remove any unsupported OT credit, inflating final premium.
Experience Mod (EMR) & PEO Advantage
The EMR for 5348 is driven by frequent, lower-severity injuries typical of interior painting—ladder falls under 10 feet, shoulder/neck strains from rolling ceilings, eye injuries, and minor chemical exposures. Because NCCI weights the primary portion of each claim more heavily, multiple small losses can push a contractor’s mod above 1.00 and raise premiums. A PEO places you on a larger master policy, adds disciplined ladder/scaffold and chemical safety programs, and delivers faster return‑to‑work and claims management—reducing loss frequency and smoothing out mod volatility for interior painting crews.
Frequently Asked Questions — Code 5348
What is the workers comp rate for class code 5348 in Florida?
The Florida NCCI rate for class code 5348 (Painting — Interior) is $2.67 per $100 of payroll. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll, the estimated annual workers comp cost is $4,006.
Can I get same-day workers comp coverage for class code 5348?
Yes. Through Comp Ninjas's PEO program, most businesses classified under code 5348 can be approved and receive a Certificate of Insurance (COI) within 24–48 hours. Same-day COI issuance is available in most cases once your application is complete.
Is class code 5348 considered high-risk in Florida?
Code 5348 is classified as medium-risk based on its NCCI rate of $2.67 per $100 of payroll. This is a moderate rate that most carriers will cover, though our PEO pay-as-you-go program typically offers better terms than a traditional standalone policy.
What is the difference between a PEO and a traditional workers comp policy for code 5348?
A traditional policy for code 5348 requires an upfront deposit (typically 25–35% of annual premium), a year-end audit, and a minimum payroll requirement. Our PEO pay-as-you-go program calculates premium on actual payroll each cycle — no deposit, no audit, no minimum. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll under code 5348, the annual cost would be approximately $4,006.
How do I switch to a PEO program if I already have a workers comp policy for code 5348?
You can switch at any time — you don't need to wait for your current policy to expire. We handle the transition and coordinate with your current carrier to avoid any coverage gaps. Most clients are enrolled and covered within 24–48 hours of submitting their application.
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