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Workers' Comp for Ironworkers & Steel Erectors in Florida

Codes 5059 & 5069 - 2026 FL rates up to $15.35/100 - Florida's highest workers' comp classification.

Florida's Highest Workers' Comp Rates

Iron and steel erection carries the highest workers' comp rates of any classification in Florida. For 2026, the filed rates are:

$15.35

per $100 payroll

Code 5069

Iron/Steel Erection - Frame, 2 Stories & Under

$10.40

per $100 payroll

Code 5059

Iron/Steel Erection - 2 Stories & Under

$7.16

per $100 payroll

Code 5040

Iron/Steel Erection - Frame Structures (taller)

At $15.35/100, an ironworking crew with $300,000 in annual payroll carries a $46,050 workers' comp premium at the standard rate - before any experience modifier. For steel contractors with claims history and a mod above 1.0, that number climbs fast.

Why Iron & Steel Erection Rates Are So High

Working at elevation with heavy steel members is among the most hazardous work in all of construction. Ironworkers face falls from height, being struck by swinging steel beams, crush injuries, and electrocution hazards near power lines. A single serious claim - a fall from a multi-story structure - can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical and indemnity costs, which is directly reflected in filed rates.

Florida's year-round construction activity means ironworkers are in near-constant demand, but also in near-constant exposure. The NCCI rate reflects both claim frequency and severity data specific to Florida.

Which Code Applies to Your Work?

Code	Description	2026 Rate	Applies When
5069	Iron/Steel Erection - Frame, 2 stories & under	$15.35	Erecting structural frames on low-rise buildings
5059	Iron/Steel Erection - 2 stories & under (other)	$10.40	Other iron/steel work at low rise
5040	Iron/Steel Erection - Frame (taller structures)	$7.16	Frame erection on taller commercial buildings

Classification is determined by the type of structure and height. If you work across multiple classifications, payroll must be separated accordingly. Misclassification is a common audit finding for steel contractors.

How a PEO Changes the Math for Steel Contractors

Most steel erectors find the standard insurance market either unavailable or unaffordable - especially with any claims history. A PEO pool distributes the risk across a large group of contractors, making coverage accessible at rates that individual underwriters won't offer standalone.

Bad loss history welcome. Our 20+ years in Florida workers' comp means we know which programs work for high-mod, high-risk contractors. If you've been declined or non-renewed, call us before you assume you're out of options.

Frequently Asked Questions - Florida Ironworkers

Officers of an ironworking or steel erection company may apply for a Florida workers' comp exemption. However, exemptions cannot be granted to non-officer employees. Given the significant injury risk, having coverage in place is strongly advisable even where an exemption is technically available - an uninsured injury on a steel erection job can result in personal liability that far exceeds the cost of coverage.

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An experience modifier (EMR) is a multiplier applied to your manual premium based on your claims history relative to other businesses in your class. A 1.0 mod means average. A 1.5 mod means your premium is 50% above the manual rate - on top of an already-high base rate like $15.35/100, that compounds quickly. PEO programs can buffer the impact of individual claims on your overall cost.

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Yes, always. Florida's DFS enforces workers' comp compliance aggressively on construction sites, particularly for high-risk trades like steel erection. Every subcontractor on your job should provide a current Certificate of Insurance or a valid Florida exemption certificate before starting work. Your carrier can add uninsured sub payroll to your audit retroactively.

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Yes. Our PEO-based programs collect workers' comp premium each payroll cycle based on actual wages. For steel contractors whose project volume fluctuates - sometimes significantly - this means you never overpay for a slow quarter or get caught short in a busy one.

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