Janitorial & Cleaning class codes

Cleaning operations mostly rate under one code, with edges to watch:

• Code 9014 — Janitorial Services: the governing class for cleaning buildings and residences
• Window cleaning above ground level: height work moves payroll into higher-rated codes — flag it before the audit does
• Post-construction cleanup: may rate differently than routine janitorial in some states
• Code 8810 — Clerical: schedulers and office staff split out at the clerical rate

Getting the class code right matters more in this industry than almost anything else on the policy. Misclassification is one of the most common reasons janitorial and cleaning companies overpay — and one of the first things we check when we review an existing policy. Browse our class code guides for a deeper look at how rates attach to codes.

What drives workers’ comp claims for janitorial and cleaning companies

Janitorial claims follow the mop bucket and the clock:

• Slips and falls — the floors your crews make wet are the floors they walk on
• Strains and sprains — mopping, vacuuming, trash hauling, and moving furniture
• Chemical exposure — mixing incompatible cleaners causes respiratory and skin claims
• Falls from ladders — high dusting, light fixtures, and window work
• Night-shift incidents — lone workers in empty buildings raise severity when things go wrong

How much does workers’ comp cost for janitorial and cleaning companies?

Janitorial typically prices between roughly $3 and $7 per $100 of payroll by state and history. A cleaning company running $400,000 of payroll can expect somewhere from $12,000 to $28,000 — numbers that make the difference between a janitorial-friendly carrier and a defensive one worth several employees’ wages.

Because we quote janitorial and cleaning companies across a dozen A-rated carriers — including specialists who actively want this class of business — the spread between the best and worst quote on the same account is often 20–40%. That spread is why comparison shopping matters more than any single discount.

Ways to lower your premium

• Pay-as-you-go billing — premium calculated from actual payroll each pay period, which fits the seasonal staffing patterns common in this industry
• Accurate class codes and payroll splits — clerical staff belongs in code 8810, not your governing class
• A documented safety program — carriers credit written procedures, training records, and a clean loss history
• Experience mod management — reporting claims promptly and closing them fast protects your mod at renewal
• Train chemical handling and lone-worker check-ins — both show up in loss runs, and clean loss runs are the biggest lever on 9014 pricing

Janitorial & Cleaning workers’ comp FAQs

What class code is a cleaning business for workers’ comp?

Janitorial and cleaning services fall under NCCI code 9014 in most states — covering commercial buildings and residential cleaning. Above-ground window washing and some specialty cleanup rate under different, higher codes.

Why is workers’ comp expensive for cleaning companies?

Slip-and-fall frequency, chemical exposure, and repetitive strain give 9014 a higher rate than office or retail classes. Carriers with janitorial programs still price it fairly — the spread between markets on the same account is often dramatic.

Do part-time and evening cleaners need to be covered?

Yes — part-time, evening, and seasonal cleaners are employees under every state’s workers’ comp law. Pay-as-you-go billing keeps premium proportional to their actual hours.

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