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Workers' Comp for Masonry Contractors in Florida

Code 5022 - 2026 FL filed rate $5.22/100 of payroll.

Florida Masonry Workers' Comp - CBS, Block, and Concrete

Florida masonry is different from masonry almost anywhere else in the US. Concrete Block Structure (CBS) construction is the dominant building method for Florida residential and low-rise commercial - not wood frame, not brick, but concrete block. That's driven by hurricane resistance requirements and Florida's unique code environment. It means Florida has one of the largest concentrations of masonry work in residential construction in the country, which is unusual by national standards.

The primary NCCI classification for masonry work in Florida is Code 5022 - Masonry, Not Otherwise Classified. The 2026 filed rate is $5.22/100 of payroll. For reinforcing steel and rebar work sometimes performed by masonry crews, Code 5040 - Iron/Steel Structural Erection carries a significantly higher rate of $7.16/100 - but most Florida carriers keep masonry crews under 5022 when the primary work is block and concrete.

Code	Description	2026 Rate	When Used
5022	Masonry - Not Otherwise Classified	$5.22	CBS block, brick, tile, stucco, concrete block construction
5040	Iron/Steel - Structural Erection	$7.16	Rebar placement, structural steel - rarely used for masonry crews in FL

Claims Profile - Back, Heat, and Falls from Scaffolding

Florida masonry generates workers' comp claims from three primary sources. Each one is substantial.

Back injuries from block lifting - a standard 8-inch concrete block weighs approximately 33 lbs. A mason laying CBS block on a residential project lifts dozens of blocks per hour, all day, in Florida heat. Lumbar strain and disc injuries are the most frequent claim type in masonry. These are often slow to resolve and have high physical therapy costs. A mason with a moderate back claim can be out 6-8 weeks with ongoing treatment costs.
Heat illness - masonry work is among the most heat-exposed construction trades because it involves heavy physical exertion in direct sun, often with limited shade access and the additional radiant heat from concrete and block surfaces. Core body temperature management is a real challenge on Florida masonry sites in summer. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke claims happen, and heat stroke is a medical emergency with potentially catastrophic outcomes.
Scaffolding falls - multi-story CBS construction requires scaffold work for upper courses of block. Unlike some trades where scaffolding is temporary, masonry crews spend significant time at elevation during the construction of exterior walls. Falls from masonry scaffolding are a significant severity driver. OSHA scaffold safety requirements apply and are actively enforced on Florida construction sites.
Eye injuries - grinding mortar joints, cutting block, and mixing concrete generate particles and dust that cause eye injuries at higher rates than most trades. Safety glasses are required but compliance is inconsistent, particularly among longer-tenured workers who minimize the perceived risk.
Crush injuries - heavy block and precast concrete elements can fall or shift during placement. Hand and foot crush injuries from block handling are a consistent exposure, particularly during wall layout and corner setting.

Florida rain and schedule pressure. Florida's afternoon thunderstorm pattern from June through September creates scheduling pressure that pushes masonry crews to work faster before weather shuts the site down. Rushed work is when injuries happen. A safety culture that maintains pace standards regardless of weather pressure is worth building - and is a claim prevention argument you can make to your carrier at renewal.

Stucco, Tile, and Specialty Masonry in Florida

Florida's masonry industry includes stucco application, decorative tile work, and specialty concrete as well as CBS block. Stucco contractors and exterior finish crews typically fall under 5022 or related codes depending on the scope of their work. Pool deck masonry, paver installation, and decorative concrete all have their own code questions - for a business that does multiple types of masonry-adjacent work, code separation and proper payroll tracking is worth reviewing at the start of each policy year.

A masonry company doing a combination of CBS block, stucco, and tile work with a $600,000 payroll is paying approximately $31,320/year in base premium at the 2026 rate - before any experience modifier adjustment. For a company with a clean loss history, PEO pricing may represent meaningful savings over that figure.

Frequently Asked Questions - Florida Masonry Contractors

Yes. Masonry is construction work, and Florida requires workers' comp for construction employers with one or more employees. The one-employee threshold applies from the moment you have a single W-2 worker. Corporate officers can apply for exemptions (up to three per company), but field masons and laborers cannot be exempted. Given the physical demand and injury exposure of masonry work, this is a critical coverage.

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Code 5022 covers masonry work in Florida including CBS block construction, brick, decorative concrete, and most stucco work. At 2026 rate of $5.22/100 of payroll, it is mid-to-high range for construction trades. Code 5040 (Iron/Steel Structural) at $7.16/100 may apply if rebar placement is a significant part of your crew's work and can be separated from the masonry scope. Most Florida carriers default to 5022 for masonry-primary crews regardless of incidental rebar work.

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Experience modification is a trailing indicator - it reflects your claim history over the past three years. You cannot change historical claims, but you can actively work to improve your mod going forward through claim management (getting injured workers into modified duty quickly), ergonomic equipment (block carts, mechanical hoist equipment that reduces manual lifting), and documented safety programs. In the near term, a PEO can sometimes offer pricing that effectively insulates you from your own mod because the pool is large enough to absorb the impact. Call us with your loss runs and current mod.

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Concrete flatwork and slab work typically falls under a different code - usually 5213 (Concrete Construction) or 5221 (Concrete Paving). If your company does substantial concrete flatwork alongside masonry, payroll should ideally be tracked by work type so each employee's hours are classified under the appropriate code. If payroll cannot be separated, the carrier will apply the highest applicable code to all payroll. Tracking by job type matters financially and is worth setting up at the beginning of your policy.

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Yes. Corporate officers in Florida can apply for construction exemptions through the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation. Up to three officers per corporation can be exempted. The exemption removes you from covered employment status - which saves premium on your own wages but also means you personally have no workers' comp coverage if you're injured. Many working masonry owners take the exemption and carry a separate accident or disability policy instead. Call us to discuss what makes sense for your specific situation.

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