Class Code 5485
Plastering Or Stucco Work – High Wage
Class code 5485 covers plastering and stucco work (high wage) in California, including skilled applicators, foremen and crews who install or finish cementitious and gypsum-based plaster and exterior stucco. The WCIRB-approved pure premium rate for California effective September 1, 2026 is $6.452 per $100 of payroll, which is the baseline loss cost used to calculate workers' comp premiums.
What Class Code 5485 Covers
This classification applies to work that involves applying, finishing, patching or repairing plaster and stucco materials on interior or exterior surfaces: cement, lime, gypsum and similar mixes. Typical operations include hand-troweled or sprayed stucco systems, base-coat and finish-coat application, installation of metal lath or other backing systems, ornamental plaster work, and touch-up/repair of existing plaster or stucco facades. Tasks performed on scaffolds, staging, ladders, roofs or elevated platforms are included, as are use of mortar mixers, sprayers/pumps, grinders and hand tools. This “High Wage” label identifies the WCIRB payroll grouping for higher-paid plaster/stucco workers (supervisors, lead applicators) rather than a different set of duties — employers should confirm payroll grouping with their auditor or carrier.
Who It Applies To
- Commercial and residential stucco and plaster contractors
- Skilled plaster applicators and finishers (including ornamental plasterers)
- Lath and metal mesh installers who work with stucco systems
- Foremen, crew leaders and higher-paid applicators (High Wage payroll grouping)
- Repair and restoration crews performing patching, resurfacing and façade work
Common Job Duties
- Mixing cementitious, lime or gypsum plaster and mortars in portable mixers
- Installing metal lath, mesh or other backing and tying in to substrates
- Applying scratch, brown (base) and finish coats by hand trowel or spray
- Operating plaster pumps/sprayers and hand finishing tools
- Sanding, grinding and surface preparation for bonding and texture
- Working from ladders, mobile scaffolds or suspended platforms and performing cleanup
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $6.452 Rate
The pure premium rate of $6.452 per $100 of payroll represents the WCIRB's estimated cost of losses for this class and is the starting point for premium calculation. An employer's final premium equals payroll divided by 100, multiplied by this rate, then adjusted by the carrier for experience modification, policy-level adjustments, state assessments and other loads. Factors that change the amount you pay include your company’s loss history (experience modifier), payroll classification accuracy, deductible or retrospective programs, and employer-specific safety controls.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Plastering and stucco work is covered by multiple Cal/OSHA requirements: an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), fall protection and scaffold safety when working at elevation, controls for respirable crystalline silica (exposure assessment, engineering controls, work practices and, when required, medical surveillance and respirator programs), and hazard communication for cementitious materials and additives. Employers must provide training, competent-person inspections of scaffolds, appropriate PPE (gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection) and written procedures where the work generates dust or uses hazardous chemicals.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 5485
A PEO like Key HR helps employers in class code 5485 by ensuring accurate payroll classification and reporting, implementing required Cal/OSHA programs (IIPP, silica control, scaffold safety), and delivering site-specific safety training for plaster and stucco tasks. We also coordinate claims management, return-to-work programs and loss-control consulting to reduce experience-modifier impact and overall workers' comp expense.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Class Code 5485 apply to small repair or patching jobs?
Yes — any job where employees perform plastering or stucco application, finishing or repair is generally classified to 5485, regardless of job size, so long as the work duties match the code description. If the work is incidental to another trade (for example, a general contractor whose workers only do occasional touch-up), payroll should be reported to the primary trade code unless the plastering work is substantial.
What does the “High Wage” label mean for this class code?
“High Wage” is a WCIRB payroll grouping used to separate higher-paid employees (such as foremen, lead applicators or highly skilled ornamental plasterers) for audit purposes. It does not change the nature of the work covered; employers should review payroll allocation with their insurer or Key HR to ensure employees are assigned to the correct wage grouping during audits.
How can I reduce workers’ comp costs for plastering and stucco crews?
Focus on controls that address the biggest risks: implement a silica control plan (wet methods, local exhaust, HEPA vacuums), enforce scaffold and ladder safety with competent-person inspections, provide skin protection and training on cement hazards, and run a restrictive duty/return-to-work program. Accurate job descriptions and proper classification at audit time also prevent overpayment. Key HR can help design and document these measures and manage claims to lower your mod and premiums.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 5485
- Classification
- Plastering Or Stucco Work – High Wage
- Pure Premium Rate
- $6.452 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
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