Workers’ Comp Class Codes for the Hospitality Industry

For businesses operating in the hospitality industry—whether it’s a hotel, resort, restaurant, or catering company—ensuring your employees are properly covered under workers’ compensation insurance isn’t just a matter of good business, it’s legally required. The nature of hospitality work often means employees are on their feet for long hours, handling equipment, serving guests, cleaning rooms, or managing kitchen operations—all of which carry a higher risk of injury than a traditional office environment. From slips and falls to repetitive motion injuries and strains from lifting, workers in this industry face unique hazards every day.

Having the right workers’ compensation insurance in place gives your business protection and gives your employees peace of mind. However, just having a policy isn’t enough. You also need to make sure your employees are classified under the proper workers’ comp class codes. Using the wrong class codes can lead to premium miscalculations, compliance issues, or audits down the line. At NPN Brokers, we help businesses stay compliant and properly protected by ensuring class codes are correctly assigned and policies are structured to match your actual risk level.

Why Class Codes Matter in the Hospitality Industry

Each employee role within your hospitality business must be assigned a workers’ compensation classification code. These class codes are developed by either the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) or state-specific rating bureaus, and they are used to assess the risk level associated with different job duties. Higher-risk jobs will generally carry higher premiums, while lower-risk clerical positions typically come with reduced rates.

Incorrectly assigning class codes can create serious problems. For example, classifying a kitchen staff member under a clerical code could result in a denied claim if that employee gets injured, since their duties involve a different risk profile. Similarly, overestimating risk by assigning a maintenance worker a more hazardous class than necessary could lead to paying much more than you need to in premiums.

Given how many job functions exist in the hospitality industry—including front desk staff, housekeepers, bartenders, cooks, maintenance, banquet coordinators, and event staff—it’s not uncommon for businesses to mistakenly apply a one-size-fits-all code. Working with a broker like NPN Brokers can help ensure each position is properly classified, keeping your business compliant and your insurance cost-effective.

Common Workers’ Comp Class Codes in Hospitality

Here are some of the most common and relevant class codes that apply to hospitality businesses. Keep in mind that state-specific codes may override the national NCCI codes in certain areas, so it’s important to be aware of local regulations.

Class Code 9052 – Hotel Employees (All Other)

Class Code 9052 is widely used across the hospitality industry and applies to employees who work in hotels but are not involved in restaurant or bar operations. This class includes a broad range of roles, such as front desk clerks, concierge staff, bellhops, housekeeping employees, laundry staff, maintenance workers, and general hotel attendants.

These employees are often involved in guest services, cleaning, assisting with luggage, and maintaining the property—all of which involve physical activity and interaction with guests. Because these jobs present moderate risk levels, this class code has a different premium rating than purely clerical work. Employers should ensure that employees who rotate between front desk and housekeeping, for instance, are clearly assigned based on their primary duties.

Class Code 9058 – Hotel: Restaurant Employees

This classification is designated for hotel employees specifically involved in food service operations. This includes kitchen staff, chefs, line cooks, waitstaff, bussers, dishwashers, and bartenders working within the hotel’s restaurant or bar. Because these positions often involve exposure to hot surfaces, sharp utensils, slippery floors, and fast-paced work environments, they carry a higher injury risk than other hotel roles.

If your hotel includes a full-service restaurant or bar, it’s critical to separate these workers under 9058 instead of grouping them with general hotel employees under 9052. Misclassification can result in inaccurate premiums or problems during an audit. At NPN Brokers, we help clients properly identify where one role ends and another begins—especially in smaller properties where staff may float between departments.

Class Code 9050 (California Only) – Hotel: All Other Employees

California employers must adhere to a different rating bureau, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) of California. Class Code 9050 is the state-specific equivalent of 9052 and covers general hotel employees in California. This includes many of the same roles such as front desk workers, housekeepers, bell staff, and facility maintenance personnel.

Given California’s stricter labor laws and regulations around employee classification, it’s especially important to ensure you’re using the correct state-specific codes. Our team at NPN Brokers is well-versed in handling hospitality businesses in California, ensuring you stay compliant with both classification and insurance requirements.

Class Code 9079 – Restaurants (California and New Jersey)

Restaurants operating in California and New Jersey often use class code 9079. This classification applies broadly to restaurant employees, including those who work in both standalone restaurants and those attached to hotels. Covered positions include servers, line cooks, hosts, dishwashers, prep cooks, and bar staff.

Since California and New Jersey have opted out of the NCCI system and use their own rating structures, it’s vital to apply the correct state-specific codes rather than relying on national defaults. We regularly work with restaurant owners in these states to help classify their staff properly and avoid costly missteps in their workers’ comp policies.

Class Code 0973 (Delaware & Pennsylvania) – Hotel Employees

If you’re operating a hospitality business in Delaware or Pennsylvania, you’ll want to be aware of this code. Class Code 0973 is the state-specific classification for hotel employees in these regions and mirrors many of the duties found in the 9052 national code. Roles under this classification typically include housekeeping, bell staff, janitorial, concierge, and general guest service personnel.

Since both Delaware and Pennsylvania operate under their own workers’ comp rating bureaus, using 9052 instead of 0973 could lead to audit issues or policy corrections. Working with a broker familiar with state-specific codes ensures you’re always aligned with your local regulatory body.

Class Code 0945 (Delaware & Pennsylvania) – Restaurant Employees

Similar to 0973, class code 0945 is used specifically for restaurant and bar employees in Delaware and Pennsylvania. This includes servers, kitchen staff, bartenders, and other employees involved in food service operations within a hospitality setting.

Restaurants and hotel owners operating in these two states need to be vigilant about class code usage. If your business blends restaurant and lodging functions, it’s essential to separate employees correctly and avoid misclassifying them under a general hotel code.

Other Hospitality-Related Class Codes to Consider

The hospitality industry often includes more roles than just guest-facing or kitchen positions. Below are a few additional class codes that might apply depending on how your business is structured:

• 8810 – Clerical Office Employees: For staff strictly working in an office setting with no interaction with guests or participation in operations.
• 8742 – Outside Salespersons: If your business employs personnel responsible for group bookings, weddings, or events, and they work primarily off-premises.
• 9015 – Building Operations by Owner or Lessee: This could apply to large resorts, multi-property operators, or those who handle their own janitorial and property maintenance teams.

Using these supplemental codes appropriately can help you optimize your insurance policy and avoid overpaying or underreporting employee risk. Not sure which ones apply to you? We can help you sort it out quickly and efficiently.

Are You Using the Right Codes for Your Business?

If you’re not 100% confident that every employee at your hospitality business is classified under the correct workers’ comp code, it’s time to get a second opinion. Improper classification can result in inaccurate premiums, issues with claims, or costly corrections during audits. Whether you run a small bed-and-breakfast or a multi-location hotel group, the details matter.

At NPN Brokers, we specialize in working with businesses that face classification challenges or that have had trouble securing affordable workers’ compensation insurance in the past. We’ll review your employee roles, identify proper class codes, and pair you with a policy that matches your actual needs.

We also work with companies that have prior claims or are considered high-risk. Our relationships with insurance providers allow us to find flexible options where others can’t—often with no audits, no contracts, and no deposits required.

Get a Quote from NPN Brokers Today

If you’re in the hospitality industry and need help navigating workers’ comp class codes or finding the right coverage for your employees, we’re here to help. At NPN Brokers, we make the process simple, fast, and tailored to your business. We can provide you with a quote in minutes and help you get coverage in as little as 24 hours.

Give us a call today at (561) 990-3022 or fill out our online quote request form to get started. Let us help you protect your team and stay compliant without all the hassle.