What is NCCI class code 5551?
NCCI 5551 is the standard workers' compensation class code for any roofing contractor in most US states. It covers shingle, metal, modified bitumen, single-ply membrane (TPO/EPDM/PVC), tile, slate, and built-up roofing — both residential and commercial, both new construction and replacement.
5551 is one of the highest-rated NCCI classifications because of the inherent fall hazard. Manual rates vary by state because each state's rating bureau sets its own loss-cost tables based on actual claim data from that state's roofing industry.
A few states don't use NCCI codes directly: California uses WCIRB code 5552. New York uses its own NYCIRB 5551 with state-specific rates. New Jersey uses NJCRIB, Pennsylvania uses PCRB, Delaware uses DCRB. The classifications map closely but the rate-making is local.
Typical rate ranges per $100 of roofer payroll (2026)
Rates change annually and vary by carrier — these are the approximate manual rate ranges that roofing contractors see in 2026 in each band:
**Low-rate states ($12–$18 per $100)**: Indiana, Utah, Arkansas, some midwestern states. Roofing is still the most expensive construction class but the overall state loss-cost tables are lower.
**Mid-range states ($18–$28 per $100)**: Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Tennessee, most of the south and mountain west. Most roofing contractors in most states fall in this band.
**High-rate states ($28–$45+ per $100)**: New York, California, New Jersey, Illinois, Alaska, Connecticut. Each of these has its own reasons — high medical costs, plaintiff-friendly legal climate, tight regulatory oversight. New York is consistently one of the most expensive roofing states in the country.
**Monopolistic states (state fund only)**: North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, Wyoming. In these four states, you can NOT buy workers' comp from a private carrier. Coverage comes through the state-run fund. Rates are set by the fund, not by market competition.
**Non-subscriber option**: Texas is the only state where workers' comp is fully optional for private employers. Roofing contractors can elect to be a 'non-subscriber' and forgo workers' comp entirely — but they lose key legal protections (contributory negligence, assumption of risk, fellow-servant rule) and most GCs will still require WC coverage on any contract.
The monopolistic states — special rules
**Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC)**: Coverage must come through BWC. Rates are published; roofing contractors fall under BWC classification code 5478 (Roofing — NOC) which maps to NCCI 5551 conceptually. BWC has group-rating programs that can reduce premium significantly for safe operators.
**Washington L&I**: Coverage through Department of Labor & Industries. L&I uses its own class codes — Risk Class 0507 covers roof work, with hourly rate assessments rather than the per-$100-payroll structure most states use. Washington also has retrospective rating programs.
**North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI)**: State-run fund, mandatory. Rates are published annually.
**Wyoming Workers' Safety and Compensation Division**: State-run fund for extra-hazardous employments (which includes roofing). Mandatory coverage.
If you operate in any of these four states, we can still place all your OTHER coverage (GL, commercial auto, tools and equipment, bonds, umbrella) with private carriers and help coordinate with the state workers' comp fund.
What actually changes YOUR rate
The manual rate is just the starting point. Your actual premium is the manual rate multiplied by several modifiers:
**Experience Modifier (X-Mod)**: Once your business has been operating for three years and your premium exceeds a state-specific threshold, your X-Mod compares your actual claim history to the average for businesses your size in your classification. A mod of 1.00 is average. Below 1.00 = discount, above 1.00 = surcharge. Frequency hurts the mod more than severity — three small $5,000 claims hurt you more than one $40,000 claim.
**Employer Size / Premium Discount**: Most states give volume discounts. A $200,000 premium gets a larger percentage discount than a $20,000 premium.
**Schedule Credit / Debit**: Carrier-specific underwriting adjustments for things like documented safety programs, loss control participation, length of time in business, and management experience. Can range from −25% to +25%.
**Assigned Risk Loading**: If no private carrier will write you and you end up in the state assigned-risk pool, rates are substantially higher than voluntary market rates.