Florida workers' comp · Published by Bright Coast Insurance
Workers' Comp for Florida Painters
Here's when a Florida painting business needs coverage, what the listed rate for code 5474 means, and how to handle subs.
Last checked 2026-10-31 against FL DFS, Florida Statutes and FWCJUA sources.
Your work. Your crew. A quote reviewed by a licensed agent.
The numbers behind the ring
Class code and listed rate
| Code | Description | Rate per $100 payroll | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5474 | Painting Or Paperhanging Noc | $4.481 |
Tap a row to load it into the explorer above.
Source: FWCJUA Current Rates — FWCJUA rate effective Jan 1, 2026. Retrieved: 2026-11-01. Not a quote.
Where painters sit
All 9 verified Florida codes, ranked
- 5645Carpenters & framers$7.689
- 5551Roofers$6.752
- 5022Masons$5.220
- 5213Concrete contractors$5.184
- 5437Carpenters & framers$4.570
- 5474Painters$4.481
- 5221Concrete contractors$3.873
- 5190Electricians$2.969
- 5183Plumbers$2.737
How do I get covered fast?
If Florida requires coverage for your business, the simplest path is to have a policy in place before work starts. Bright Coast can quote it and explain the rules in plain language.
Source: FL DFS Division of Workers' Compensation: Coverage requirements — Checked: 2026-10-31
How the painting class-code rate works
Bright Coast's lookup lists Florida class code 5474 at 4.481 per $100 of payroll, verified against the live FWCJUA table on October 25, 2026. Treat that number as a reference rate, not a quote. Your actual premium also depends on your payroll, your experience mod and the carrier that writes the policy.
Code 5474 carries the description PAINTING OR PAPERHANGING NOC in Bright Coast's lookup.
The rate is stated per $100 of payroll. We don't turn it into a sample price, because yours depends on your own payroll, experience mod and carrier.
FWCJUA's site has its rates and a pricing tool.
Source: Bright Coast Florida WC class code lookup · FWCJUA published rate list · effective January 1, 2026 — Checked: 2026-10-31
Subcontractors and certificates for painters
Get proof of coverage from every sub before they start. DFS says contractors must make sure subcontractors have workers' comp before work begins. If a sub has none, its workers become your employees, and you pay benefits if one of them is hurt on the job. Keep a current certificate on file for each sub.
FWCJUA offers a Verify COI tool and a link to a proof of coverage database.
Bright Coast says its clients can access their own certificates 24/7 through a self-service client portal.
Questions? Call (239) 475-0361.
Source: FL DFS Division of Workers' Compensation: Coverage requirements · FWCJUA published rate list · effective January 1, 2026 — Checked: 2026-10-31
Asked every week
Quick answers
Does an LLC member count as an employee for workers' comp?
Yes, for Florida's coverage rule. DFS counts owners who are corporate officers or LLC members when it applies the construction threshold of one or more employees. So a painting LLC with just its member on the job can fall under the requirement unless that member holds a valid construction exemption.
How do I get a certificate of insurance for a general contractor?
Bright Coast says its clients can access certificates 24/7 through a self-service client portal. That lets you pull proof of coverage when a contractor asks for it before you start work. If you need help, call Bright Coast at (239) 475-0361 or email support@brightcoastins.com.
From our publisher
Get a Florida workers' comp quote from Bright Coast
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