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Last updated · Sources: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, NCCI, and the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation
Tampa workers' comp: quick facts for 2026
Tampa is the business hub of the Tampa Bay region, with employers in financial services and corporate back offices, healthcare, Port Tampa Bay shipping and logistics, defense contracting around MacDill Air Force Base, and a construction market still busy rebuilding after the 2024 hurricane season.
Hillsborough County has a large professional and financial services workforce, which rates at some of Florida's lowest workers' comp costs — clerical (8810) is $0.17 per $100 of payroll. At the same time, the region's trucking, warehousing and construction employers fall into much higher classes.
After Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, demand for roofing, restoration and remodeling work around Tampa Bay rose sharply. Many new contractors entered the market; every one with employees needs coverage from day one, because Florida's construction threshold is a single employee.
These are 2026 NCCI Florida manual rates per $100 of payroll for class codes common among Tampa employers. They apply statewide; your final premium also reflects your experience mod and any carrier credits.
| NCCI Code | Industry | Rate per $100 | Premium on $100K payroll* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8810 | Clerical / Office Employees | $0.17 | $330 |
| 5551 | Roofing — All Kinds | $8.24 | $8,400 |
| 7219 | Trucking / Long-Haul Drivers | $7.43 | $7,590 |
| 5183 | Plumbing | $2.74 | $2,900 |
| 5190 | Electrical Wiring | $2.97 | $3,130 |
| 9082 | Restaurant / Food Service | $1.16 | $1,320 |
* Includes the $160 expense constant, at a 1.0 experience mod, before Drug-Free Workplace (5%) or other credits. See the full Florida rate table.
Florida's workers' compensation law (Chapter 440, Florida Statutes) applies the same way in Tampa as everywhere else in the state. Construction businesses need coverage with one or more employees, and corporate officers and LLC members count. Non-construction businesses need coverage with four or more employees, full or part time. Agricultural employers need coverage with six or more regular employees or twelve or more seasonal workers.
Eligible business owners can reduce cost with an exemption. Up to three officers or LLC members of a construction company who each own at least 10% can file a construction exemption for $50, and non-construction officers can elect exemption through the Division of Corporations. Exemptions only cover the owners. Any employees still require a policy.
Because Florida carriers must start from the same manual rates, savings come from getting the details right: accurate class codes for every employee, a lower experience mod through safety programs and prompt claim reporting, the 5% Drug-Free Workplace credit under F.S. 440.102, certificates of insurance from every subcontractor, and Pay As You Go billing that matches premium to real payroll. A specialist can review all of these when quoting your Tampa policy.
Florida uses the same NCCI base rates statewide, so a Tampa business pays the same manual rate as a business anywhere else in Florida for the same class code. Premium is (annual payroll ÷ $100) × class code rate × experience mod, plus a $160 expense constant. For example, a Tampa roofing contractor (class 5551, Roofing — All Kinds, $8.24 per $100) with $300,000 in payroll would pay about $24,880 a year before experience mod and credits. 2026 rates in Florida decreased 6.9% on average.
Yes, for most employers. Florida law applies the same requirements in Tampa and Hillsborough County as everywhere in the state: construction businesses need coverage with 1 or more employees (including officers and LLC members), non-construction businesses with 4 or more employees, and agricultural businesses with 6 or more regular employees or 12 or more seasonal workers.
Yes. Under Florida Statute 440.103, building departments in Hillsborough County and across Florida must receive proof of workers' compensation coverage or a valid Certificate of Election to be Exempt before issuing a building permit to a contractor.
The Florida Division of Workers' Compensation can issue a Stop-Work Order that shuts down the business until coverage is obtained and a penalty is paid. The penalty is generally twice the premium the employer would have paid over the prior two years, with a $1,000 minimum, and working in violation of a Stop-Work Order adds further daily penalties. Uninsured employers can also be sued directly by injured workers.
Yes. Florida requires out-of-state employers working in the state to carry a workers' comp policy that meets Florida law, generally through a Florida-approved carrier or with Florida listed on the policy. Construction employers need coverage with even one employee.
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