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Workers' Comp for Landscapers in Florida

Code 0042 — 2026 FL filed rate: $4.14/100 — See what you're paying and what you could save.

Workers' Comp for Florida Landscaping Businesses

Florida is one of the top states in the country for landscaping employment - year-round warm weather means year-round crews and year-round workers' comp exposure. The 2026 Florida filed rate for NCCI code 0042 (Landscaping) is $4.14 per $100 of payroll.

For a landscaping company with $300,000 in annual payroll, that's $12,420 in workers' comp premium at the standard rate - before any experience modifier is applied. Through a PEO, many Florida landscaping businesses pay significantly less.

Florida's landscaping season never ends. That's good for business - but it means your crews are exposed to heat illness, equipment injuries, and vehicle accidents 52 weeks a year. Workers' comp isn't optional for most Florida landscaping employers, and getting the right rate matters.

What Drives Landscaping Workers' Comp Claims in Florida

At our agency, we've seen firsthand the unique risks that come with the Florida landscaping industry, and we're committed to helping our clients navigate the complexities of workers' compensation. The most common injuries in this field include falls from ladders or trees, cuts from sharp objects, and strains from heavy lifting, which is why we work closely with our clients to ensure they have the right coverage in place. For example, class codes 9102 and 0042 are commonly used in the landscaping industry, with rates ranging from $4.54 to $13.21 per $100 of payroll, depending on the specific job duties and other factors. Our team is well-versed in the enforcement details of the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation, and we help our clients understand the different types of claims that can arise, such as medical-only claims, temporary total disability claims, and permanent partial disability claims. By working with us, our clients can rest assured that they're in compliance with all relevant regulations and that their employees are protected in the event of a work-related injury.

Equipment injuries - mowers, edgers, chainsaws, and chippers are responsible for a significant share of landscaping claims
Heat illness - Florida's heat and humidity put outdoor workers at serious risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, particularly in summer months
Vehicle accidents - landscaping crews spend significant time on Florida roads between job sites, often towing trailers
Slip and fall - wet grass, uneven terrain, and working on slopes create constant slip hazards
Struck-by injuries - from thrown debris, falling branches, and objects ejected by mowers

Seasonal Crews and the 1099 Problem

At our agency, we've seen numerous Florida landscaping businesses fall into a costly trap by misclassifying their seasonal or part-time workers as 1099 contractors in an effort to sidestep payroll taxes and workers' comp obligations. We advise our clients to exercise caution, as Florida's enforcement measures are stringent. If the 1099 workers on your payroll don't have their own coverage or a valid exemption certificate, your carrier can add their wages to your audit retroactively, which can lead to unexpected and significant expenses for your business.

At our agency, we find that PEO programs are a particularly good fit for our clients in the landscaping industry, as they often experience fluctuations in crew sizes. This is because premium payments are made on a per-payroll-cycle basis, calculated based on actual wages paid, allowing for greater flexibility and accuracy. Unlike traditional workers' comp policies, which may require an annual estimate that can be difficult to predict, our PEO programs enable our clients to pay premiums that are closely tied to their real-time payroll, helping to eliminate potential discrepancies and ensure a more precise alignment with their actual wage expenditures.

Frequently Asked Questions - Florida Landscapers

In Florida, most non-construction businesses must carry workers' comp when they have four or more employees (including part-time). However, if your landscaping business is classified under a construction NCCI code - which some landscaping work can be - the threshold drops to one employee. When in doubt, err on the side of coverage: the fines for non-compliance are steep, and a stop-work order can shut down your operation on the spot.

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Yes, if the coverage threshold applies. Florida's workers' comp law covers part-time and seasonal employees the same as full-time employees. If a part-time crew member is injured, they're entitled to the same benefits. Pay-as-you-go PEO programs handle this naturally - you only pay premium on wages actually paid that cycle, so slow winter months cost less automatically.

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Officers of a landscaping company that is not classified as a construction employer may qualify for an exemption, but landscaping is sometimes treated as construction depending on the work performed. The exemption covers only the officer personally - employees cannot be exempted. We recommend confirming the classification with the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation before relying on an exemption.

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Code 0042 covers general landscaping - mowing, planting, mulching, irrigation, and maintenance. Code 0106 (Tree Pruning) covers tree trimming and pruning at height. If your crew does both, the payroll should be separated by classification. Tree service work generally carries a higher rate than standard landscaping. If you do significant tree work, see our dedicated tree service workers' comp page.

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A PEO pools your workforce with hundreds of other businesses, giving you access to group workers' comp rates that individual carriers won't offer standalone. For landscaping companies - especially those with any claims history - this can translate to 10–30% or more in savings compared to a standard market policy. Add the elimination of the year-end audit and pay-as-you-go billing, and the total cost advantage is often significant.

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