Common Workers’ Comp Class Codes for Hospitality Staffing Companies

For hospitality staffing companies, finding and maintaining the right workers’ compensation insurance can be a challenge. The industry’s wide range of job types—from front desk clerks and housekeepers to chefs, bartenders, and maintenance workers—means that no single classification fits every employee. Each role carries different exposure levels and responsibilities, which means each one falls under a unique workers’ compensation class code. Understanding these codes is not only key to compliance but also critical to keeping insurance costs accurate and under control.

At NPN Brokers, we specialize in helping staffing firms within the hospitality sector secure workers’ compensation coverage, even when traditional insurers turn them away. Whether you provide staff to hotels, restaurants, event venues, or catering companies, our team makes it possible to get fast, affordable coverage with no lengthy contracts, no deposits, and no time-consuming audits. We simplify what is often one of the most complex aspects of running a staffing company—getting proper workers’ comp coverage in place.

Understanding Workers’ Comp Class Codes for Hospitality Staffing

Workers’ compensation class codes are numeric identifiers used by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) to categorize different types of work based on their inherent risk. These codes help insurers determine premium rates, as each occupation carries a specific level of exposure to injury or illness.

For example, an office receptionist at a hotel faces very different risks compared to a banquet server who’s constantly moving heavy trays or a cook working around open flames. By assigning each employee a class code that reflects their duties, insurance companies can calculate fair and accurate premiums.

For staffing companies in the hospitality field, this process can get complicated fast. A single client may require housekeepers, dishwashers, and concierge staff all under one contract. Without proper classification, your company could face underpayment penalties, overcharged premiums, or compliance issues after an audit.

NPN Brokers helps eliminate that risk by ensuring your employees are correctly classified from the start. We work directly with hospitality staffing firms to understand their placements, review job descriptions, and help them avoid costly misclassifications.

Common Workers’ Comp Class Codes in the Hospitality Industry

The hospitality industry covers a diverse range of occupations, each with its own risks and workers’ comp classification. Below are some of the most common class codes used by hospitality staffing companies when insuring their workers.

9052 – Hotel: All Other Employees

Class code 9052 applies to hotel employees who perform general labor or service duties within the hotel. This can include bellhops, valets, porters, housekeeping staff, and laundry room attendants. These workers often engage in moderate physical labor, such as carrying luggage, cleaning rooms, or operating laundry machinery.

Because the risk of strains, slips, or repetitive motion injuries is higher than in administrative roles, this code generally carries a mid-level premium. For staffing agencies that place workers in hotels or resorts, 9052 is one of the most common classifications used.

9058 – Hotel: Restaurant Employees

This code applies to employees working in hotel restaurants or food service areas. It includes cooks, servers, bartenders, dishwashers, and food preparation staff. Although front-of-house roles such as hosts or servers have relatively low exposure, kitchen staff often face greater risks, including burns, cuts, and slips on wet floors.

If your staffing company provides personnel for hotel dining operations or resort food service, this classification is crucial to ensuring that your coverage accurately reflects the work performed.

9060 – Club: Country, Golf, Fishing, or Yacht Club Employees

Many hospitality staffing companies provide staff for private clubs, country clubs, and recreational facilities. Class code 9060 covers employees who work in these settings, including servers, bartenders, groundskeepers, and general club attendants.

Because these environments may involve both indoor and outdoor work, risk levels can vary. Groundskeepers, for instance, face different exposures than dining room servers. Proper classification ensures your staffing firm remains compliant and avoids unexpected premium adjustments later.

9079 – Restaurant: NOC (Not Otherwise Classified)

Code 9079 is commonly used for general restaurant employees who don’t fall under a more specific category. This includes workers at standalone restaurants, catering facilities, or banquet operations. Cooks, servers, dishwashers, and bartenders typically fall under this classification.

Since restaurant environments can be fast-paced and involve hot surfaces, sharp tools, and slippery floors, the exposure risk is moderate to high. As a result, the premium rates for 9079 are higher than for clerical or administrative positions.

9082 – Restaurant: Fast Food

This classification applies to workers in fast-food restaurants, including cooks, cashiers, and kitchen helpers. These employees often work in small spaces with grills, fryers, and other hot equipment. Because of that, the risk of burns or slips is relatively high.

Staffing agencies that provide temporary workers to quick-service restaurants often rely on this class code to ensure accurate reporting.

9050 – Hotel: Clerical or Front Desk Employees

Class code 9050 is used for hotel clerical and administrative staff, including front desk clerks, reservation agents, and office support personnel. These positions involve minimal physical labor and are considered low-risk compared to housekeeping or maintenance roles.

However, it’s important for staffing firms to ensure that employees under this code are strictly performing clerical duties. If they occasionally assist with luggage or housekeeping, they may need to be reclassified into a higher-risk category to stay compliant.

9170 – Janitorial Services

Class code 9170 applies to workers who perform cleaning and janitorial tasks in hotels, restaurants, and other facilities. This includes custodians, restroom attendants, and floor maintenance workers.

Since janitorial work often involves exposure to chemicals, wet floors, and repetitive physical activity, it’s considered higher-risk. For staffing firms that provide cleaning crews or maintenance staff, this classification is essential.

9072 – Restaurant: Catering

Class code 9072 is used for catering employees, including cooks, servers, dishwashers, and delivery drivers involved in catering operations. Catering work often involves additional risks, such as lifting heavy trays, transporting equipment, and working in different venues with variable safety conditions.

Staffing firms that specialize in event staffing or off-site food service should ensure this classification is properly applied to avoid misreporting exposure levels.

Why Correct Classification Matters for Hospitality Staffing Firms

Getting your workers’ comp class codes right is critical. Each code carries its own premium rate, and even a small classification mistake can result in large cost differences. Misclassifying employees into lower-risk codes can lead to significant back payments when an audit occurs, while overclassifying workers can cause your staffing company to overpay month after month.

Because hospitality staffing firms often deal with a mix of different job types and short-term assignments, the risk of misclassification is higher than in most other industries. That’s why NPN Brokers works closely with clients to identify every role accurately and to ensure that job descriptions align with NCCI or state-specific classification systems.

The Challenges of Workers’ Comp for Hospitality Staffing

The hospitality industry is known for its fast pace, high employee turnover, and physically demanding roles. Those same factors make workers’ compensation coverage more complicated for staffing agencies serving this sector.

Some of the most common challenges include:

• High-risk job classifications: Cooks, cleaners, and servers often face higher injury exposure, leading to higher premiums.
• Frequent turnover: Constantly changing staff lists make payroll tracking and policy management more complex.
• Multiple client locations: Agencies providing staff to several hotels or venues across state lines may need multi-state coverage.
• Past claims history: If your agency has had previous claims or high loss ratios, some carriers may decline coverage altogether.

Because of these challenges, many staffing companies in the hospitality space are denied coverage by traditional insurers. NPN Brokers helps bridge that gap by working with carriers that understand high-risk staffing and can offer flexible, customized solutions.

How NPN Brokers Simplifies Workers’ Comp for Hospitality Staffing Firms

At NPN Brokers, we focus on making workers’ comp simple and accessible, no matter how complex your business model may be. We understand that hospitality staffing agencies often operate in fast-moving environments, where waiting weeks for a policy approval isn’t realistic.

Our approach includes:

Fast Quotes and Same-Day Coverage

We provide quotes in minutes and can often have coverage active within 24 hours. Whether you need to onboard new clients or meet contractual requirements quickly, we make sure your agency stays compliant without delays.

Pay-As-You-Go Flexibility

We know that staffing payroll fluctuates from week to week. That’s why we work with carriers that allow Pay-As-You-Go billing, so your premiums are based on actual payroll each pay period. You don’t need to worry about large upfront deposits or unexpected audit adjustments later.

No Audits, No Deposits, No Contracts

Most traditional insurance policies require long-term contracts, mandatory audits, and hefty down payments. NPN Brokers eliminates those roadblocks by connecting you with carriers that skip all three. This makes it easier for your company to grow and stay financially flexible.

High-Risk and Hard-to-Place Coverage

Even if your staffing company has prior claims, operates across multiple states, or places workers in high-risk hospitality roles, we can help. Our extensive carrier network allows us to find coverage options for companies that have been turned down elsewhere.

Dedicated Compliance Support

Workers’ comp laws vary from state to state, and compliance can become confusing for multi-location staffing firms. NPN Brokers provides ongoing support to help you stay compliant, avoid penalties, and maintain proper classification across all of your placements.

Why Partnering with NPN Brokers Makes a Difference

We don’t just help hospitality staffing companies find coverage—we help them stay protected, compliant, and cost-efficient. Our focus is on long-term relationships built on trust and transparency. We take the time to understand your business model, evaluate your specific risks, and design a program that grows with you.

When you work with NPN Brokers, you’re partnering with a team that understands both the staffing industry and the hospitality industry in depth. We know what it takes to keep your business moving forward, whether you have five employees or five hundred.

Secure Reliable Workers’ Comp Coverage for Your Hospitality Staffing Company

If your hospitality staffing firm has struggled to find reliable, affordable workers’ comp coverage, NPN Brokers can help. We work with staffing companies of all sizes that place workers in hotels, restaurants, catering companies, and event venues.

Get a quote in minutes and coverage in as little as 24 hours. Call us at (561) 990-3022 or fill out our online quote request form today.