Louisiana Workers' Comp Class Codes: What Every Employer Needs to Know

Your workers' compensation premium is directly tied to your class code. In Louisiana, getting the right code isn't just about compliance — it's about paying the correct premium. Miscoding costs Louisiana employers thousands of dollars at audit every year.

What Is a WC Class Code?

A class code is a 4-digit number assigned by NCCI (National Council on Compensation Insurance) that describes the type of work an employee performs. Each code carries a base rate per $100 of payroll. Higher-hazard work = higher rate.

Louisiana uses NCCI class codes as the foundation, modified by Louisiana-specific loss experience and LWCC adjustments.

Most Common Louisiana WC Class Codes

Construction trades:

• 5551 — Roofing (one of the highest rates in any industry)
• 5645 — Carpentry, residential construction
• 5403 — Carpentry, commercial/industrial
• 5213 — Concrete work
• 5183 — Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical
• 6003 — Structural steel erection
• 5160 — Masonry

Service businesses:

• 9082 — Restaurant employees (kitchen)
• 9079 — Restaurant employees (servers, hosts)
• 8006 — Retail store employees
• 8010 — Hardware and building supply retail
• 8380 — Auto service and repair
• 7380 — Drivers and chauffeurs

General classes:

• 8810 — Clerical office employees (very low rate)
• 8742 — Outside sales representatives
• 5606 — General contractor — executive supervisor

Why Accurate Class Codes Matter

Consider the difference between class 5645 (residential carpentry, moderate rate) and 5551 (roofing, high rate). Both might describe work your crew does on the same day. But coding all roofing payroll under 5645 — intentionally or accidentally — creates an audit adjustment when the auditor reviews your payroll records.

Louisiana auditors are thorough. They review payroll by employee, match it to time records, and verify the work performed. If your code doesn't match your actual work, you'll pay the difference — plus potential penalties.

Multiple Class Codes on One Policy

Most Louisiana employers have employees in more than one class. Your WC policy can — and should — have multiple class codes, each applied to its respective payroll. A contractor with office staff, field foremen, and roofing crews will have three or more codes on one policy.

This isn't a problem. It's the correct approach. Each code is rated independently, and your total premium reflects the blended risk.

The Experience Modification Factor (X-Mod)

Your X-Mod compares your claims history to expected losses for your industry. An X-Mod below 1.0 earns a premium discount; above 1.0 adds a surcharge.

The X-Mod is calculated annually by NCCI based on three years of loss data (excluding the most recent). It is applied as a multiplier to your base premium.

Example: Base premium $20,000 × X-Mod 1.25 = $25,000 actual premium. Or with X-Mod 0.85 = $17,000.

Protecting Your X-Mod in Louisiana

Three things destroy X-Mods:

1. Frequent small claims (frequency hurts more than severity)
2. Claims that drag on for years
3. Catastrophic injuries without loss control programs

Protect your X-Mod by reporting claims immediately, working with your insurer on early return-to-work programs, and investing in jobsite safety before incidents happen.

Getting an Accurate Louisiana WC Quote

Any WC specialist worth working with will ask for a complete description of your operations — not just your payroll total. The right class code from the start prevents audit surprises and keeps your premium predictable.