All 16 California construction classifications split by hourly wage — 2025 vs. 2026 WCIRB thresholds, low/high wage codes, and what your business needs to document to qualify for the lower rate.
California divides 16 construction trade class codes into two wage-based categories: high wage and low wage. Each trade has an hourly wage threshold set annually by the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB). Employees paid at or above the threshold are classified under the lower-rated high-wage code; employees paid below it fall under the higher-rated low-wage code. Because better-paid tradespeople statistically carry fewer and less severe claims, the high-wage classification produces a lower workers' compensation premium.
Thresholds below apply to policies with an effective date of September 1, 2026 or later. If an employee's documented hourly wage is equal to or greater than the threshold, the high-wage code applies.
| Description | 2025 Threshold | 2026 Threshold | Low Wage Code | High Wage Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masonry | $35.00 | $37.00 | 5027 | 5028 |
| Electrical Wiring | $36.00 | $40.00 | 5190 | 5140 |
| Plumbing / Heating / Refrigeration | $32.00 | $35.00 | 5183 | 5187 |
| Automatic Sprinkler Installation | $33.00 | $36.00 | 5185 | 5186 |
| Concrete or Cement Work | $33.00 | $36.00 | 5201 | 5205 |
| Carpentry | $41.00 | $46.00 | 5403 | 5432 |
| Wallboard Application | $41.00 | $45.00 | 5446 | 5447 |
| Glaziers | $39.00 | $43.00 | 5467 | 5470 |
| Painting / Waterproofing | $32.00 | $36.00 | 5474 | 5482 |
| Plastering or Stucco Work | $38.00 | $42.00 | 5484 | 5485 |
| Sheet Metal | $33.00 | $37.00 | 5538 | 5542 |
| Roofing | $31.00 | $33.00 | 5552 | 5553 |
| Steel Framing | $41.00 | $46.00 | 5632 | 5633 |
| Excavation / Grading / Land Leveling | $40.00 | $45.00 | 6218 | 6220 |
| Sewer Construction | $40.00 | $45.00 | 6307 | 6308 |
| Water / Gas Mains | $40.00 | $45.00 | 6315 | 6316 |
Last updated August 2026. Thresholds are set annually by WCIRB and subject to change — confirm current-year figures with WCIRB before binding or auditing a policy.
⇩ Download the printable PDF versionEmployers who don't document hourly wages for dual-wage class codes are audited at the low-wage (higher) rate by default. To qualify for the lower high-wage rate, maintain:
This list is a reference, not a determination. Final classification is assigned by your carrier and the WCIRB and is verified at audit. If you want a second set of eyes on how your payroll is currently classified, we review it at no charge.
The dual wage system assigns two workers' compensation rates to certain construction class codes: a lower rate for workers paid at or above a WCIRB-set hourly wage threshold (high wage), and a higher rate for workers paid below it (low wage).
There are 16 dual wage construction classifications in California, covering trades such as electrical, roofing, carpentry, plumbing, sheet metal, and excavation.
Without timecards and paystubs verifying hourly wages, your premium audit will default employees in dual wage classifications to the low-wage code, which carries a higher rate.
Not sure which class codes apply to your business? Use our free California Workers' Comp Class Code Lookup tool (686 WCIRB classifications), or contact our team for a coverage review.
Misclassification is the most common reason California employers overpay for workers' compensation. Send us your current policy and we will tell you what we find.
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