Workers Comp Class Code 5183 — Plumbing — All Operations
Florida NCCI Workers Comp Classification
FL NCCI Rate
$2.74
per $100 of payroll
Same-Day COI
Available
through PEO program
For code 5183, a worker earning $800/week costs just $21.90/week in workers comp through our PEO program.
FL NCCI Rate
$2.74/$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 5183?
NCCI class code 5183 covers Plumbing — All Operations 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 5183 is $2.74 per $100 of payroll, placing it in the medium-risk tier.
Covers all plumbing work — new construction rough-in, remodel plumbing, service and repair, drain cleaning, and fixture installation. Plumbers work in tight spaces, trenches, and crawl spaces. Florida's high water table makes underground plumbing work particularly hazardous.
Because code 5183 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 $5.19 per $100, a plumber earning $950/week costs about $49.31/week in workers comp. For a 3-man plumbing crew, that's roughly $148/week. This is one of the more affordable construction codes — but standard carriers still require large deposits for small contractors.
Rate History — Code 5183
5-Year Rate Trend
Code 5183 — Florida NCCI rates
Source: Florida NCCI rate filings 2020–2024
Florida NCCI rates for code 5183 have decreased from $5.85 to $5.19 over the past 5 years — a positive trend for employers.
Why PEO Makes Sense for Code 5183
No deposit. No audit. Same-day COI.
Plumbing contractors often have fluctuating crews — a big new construction job might require 6 plumbers for 3 months, then drop back to 2 for service work. PEO adjusts automatically to your actual weekly payroll. No over-paying during slow periods, no scrambling to add coverage when you land a big job.
No Deposit
Pay as you go each week
No Audit
Premium based on actual payroll
Same-Day COI
Instant certificate issuance
📋 Real-World Example
A plumbing contractor in Collier County has 4 plumbers doing new construction rough-in. A worker is digging a trench for a main water line when the sandy Florida soil collapses on him. Workers comp covers the emergency rescue, hospitalization, and 8 weeks of recovery. This is exactly why Florida contractors need coverage before they start work.
Common Job Titles Under Code 5183
Top Workers Comp Risks for Code 5183
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 5183
Florida Statute Chapter 440 governs workers' compensation requirements. For construction employers classified under code 5183, 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 5183
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.
29 CFR 1926.651
Specific excavation requirements: requires locating underground utilities, safe access/egress (ladders within 25 ft), spoil piles set back 2 ft, and protection from water accumulation for plumbers trenching water/sewer and service lines.
29 CFR 1926.652
Requirements for protective systems: mandates sloping, shoring, or trench boxes for excavations 5 ft or deeper (unless in stable rock) when plumbers install underground piping or set sewer laterals.
29 CFR 1926.352
Fire prevention and protection (welding, cutting, and heating): governs torch soldering/brazing of copper, including fire watch as needed, protection of combustibles within 35 ft, and ready access to fire extinguishers on plumbing hot-work tasks.
29 CFR 1926.1153
Respirable crystalline silica: requires water delivery/HEPA dust controls, exposure assessment, and a written plan when plumbers cut/chase concrete slabs or walls for drain, vent, or gas piping.
29 CFR 1926.1203
Confined spaces in construction (General requirements): requires identifying permit-required spaces, atmospheric testing, ventilation, attendant, and rescue planning for plumbers entering meter vaults, lift stations, crawlspaces, or tanks.
Florida Stop-Work Order Cases — Code 5183
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation (DFS) actively enforces coverage requirements. Below are representative enforcement cases involving businesses classified under code 5183.
Miami-Dade County (2023): A 5183 plumbing contractor doing a high-rise re-pipe had six plumbers/helpers on site with a lapsed policy and several “1099” helpers with no COIs. DFS issued a stop-work order; penalty was calculated at $1,000 per day per employee for 5 days ($30,000) plus twice the estimated unpaid premium (~$12,300) for a total near $42,300.
Hillsborough County (2022): Rough-in crew trenching 6–8 ft for townhome sewer laterals had four field employees and no workers’ comp in force. DFS assessed $1,000/day/employee for 7 days ($28,000) plus twice the unpaid premium from 10 months of uncovered payroll (~$9,800), bringing the penalty to about $37,800.
Orange County (2024): A service plumber relied on a canceled PEO certificate while three techs performed attic leak repairs and water-heater swaps. DFS imposed $1,000/day/employee for 10 days ($30,000) plus twice the unpaid premium (~$7,400), totaling roughly $37,400 before the company could resume work.
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 5183
Many standard insurance carriers restrict or decline coverage for businesses classified under code 5183. Understanding these declination triggers helps you find the right coverage path.
Regular trenching/excavation exposures (installing water/sewer laterals) without a documented trench safety program, competent-person training, or trench boxes; carriers view this as high-frequency/high-severity for 5183 and decline.
Open-flame soldering/brazing and hot-work in attics or concealed spaces without written hot-work permits, fire watches, and extinguisher logs; burn claims and secondary fire risk push many standard carriers to surcharge or decline plumbing accounts.
Service/repair mix heavy in attic/crawlspace or multi-story condo work with ladder use and heat-stress exposures, combined with 24/7 emergency calls; underwriters see elevated strain/fall frequency typical of 5183 and may refuse new ventures or accounts without formal fall/heat-illness programs.
High use of uninsured subcontractors/“1099” helpers doing hands-on plumbing, prior coverage lapses or a recent stop-work order, or an EMR > 1.20 from strain and knee/back injuries; any of these will trigger declination or steep debits for class code 5183.
Common Workers Comp Audit Mistakes for Code 5183
Year-end workers comp audits frequently result in unexpected additional premiums for businesses classified under code 5183. These are the most common audit mistakes to avoid.
Classifying working owners/foremen as 5606 (contractor executive supervisors) even though they carry tools, solder, or enter trenches; auditors reassign all wages to 5183 and bill the difference.
Treating helpers and day laborers as 1099 subs without valid Florida workers’ comp COIs; during audit, those payments are added to 5183 payroll, often for the full policy term.
Trying to split payroll between 5183 and 8810 (clerical) for techs who also answer phones or do estimates but keeping no contemporaneous time records; Florida rules push all such wages back into 5183.
Mixing plumbing and HVAC/gas-appliance installation crews and failing to maintain detailed timecards; without verifiable separation, auditors assign all mixed work to the highest-rated applicable code (often 5183 or 5537), spiking the final premium.
Experience Mod (EMR) & PEO Advantage
For plumbing (5183), the EMR is highly sensitive to frequent soft-tissue strains, knee/back injuries from crawlspaces, minor burns from torches, and slip/fall claims; a few lost-time claims can push the mod above 1.00 and drive up premium. A PEO helps by enforcing trench and hot-work procedures, silica controls, and return‑to‑work, and by managing claims aggressively to cut claim frequency and days lost. That loss control—plus avoiding coverage lapses that lead to stop‑work orders—stabilizes your experience and helps keep future EMRs in check.
Frequently Asked Questions — Code 5183
What is the workers comp rate for class code 5183 in Florida?
The Florida NCCI rate for class code 5183 (Plumbing — All Operations) is $2.74 per $100 of payroll. For a business with $150,000 in annual payroll, the estimated annual workers comp cost is $4,106.
Can I get same-day workers comp coverage for class code 5183?
Yes. Through Comp Ninjas's PEO program, most businesses classified under code 5183 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 5183 considered high-risk in Florida?
Code 5183 is classified as medium-risk based on its NCCI rate of $2.74 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 5183?
A traditional policy for code 5183 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 5183, the annual cost would be approximately $4,106.
How do I switch to a PEO program if I already have a workers comp policy for code 5183?
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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