Business & Finance

Insurance Underwriter Salary

Insurance underwriters evaluate insurance applications, assess risk factors, and determine coverage terms and premium rates for property, health, and life insurance policies.

Median Salary
$77,860
Mean Salary
$82,800
Total Employed
114,200
Job Growth
-2%

Insurance Underwriter Salary by Experience Level

Entry-level insurance underwriters earn around $50,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $78,000. Senior-level insurance underwriters can earn $115,000 or more.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$50,000
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$78,000
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$115,000

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Salary Percentile Breakdown

The salary range for insurance underwriters varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $48,600, while the top 10% earn $126,400.

Percentile Annual Salary
10th Percentile $48,600
25th Percentile $61,200
50th Percentile (Median) $77,860
75th Percentile $100,000
90th Percentile $126,400

Insurance Underwriter Salary by State

Insurance Underwriter salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $132,362, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $64,624.

State Median
#1 Hawaii $132,362 Details →
#2 Massachusetts $110,561 Details →
#3 California $107,447 Details →
#4 New York $104,332 Details →
#5 Alaska $96,546 Details →
#6 New Jersey $95,768 Details →
#7 Connecticut $93,432 Details →
#8 Maryland $89,539 Details →
#9 Washington $89,539 Details →
#10 Oregon $85,646 Details →
#11 Virginia $84,867 Details →
#12 New Hampshire $83,310 Details →
#13 Rhode Island $83,310 Details →
#14 Delaware $82,532 Details →
#15 Colorado $81,753 Details →
#16 Illinois $78,639 Details →
#17 Vermont $78,639 Details →
#18 Pennsylvania $77,860 Details →
#19 Minnesota $77,081 Details →
#20 Florida $76,303 Details →
#21 Maine $76,303 Details →
#22 Arizona $75,524 Details →
#23 Nevada $75,524 Details →
#24 Utah $75,524 Details →
#25 Georgia $73,967 Details →
#26 Montana $73,967 Details →
#27 North Carolina $73,967 Details →
#28 Idaho $73,188 Details →
#29 New Mexico $72,410 Details →
#30 Nebraska $71,631 Details →
#31 Texas $71,631 Details →
#32 Wisconsin $71,631 Details →
#33 Wyoming $71,631 Details →
#34 Louisiana $70,853 Details →
#35 Indiana $70,074 Details →
#36 Michigan $70,074 Details →
#37 North Dakota $70,074 Details →
#38 Ohio $70,074 Details →
#39 Iowa $69,295 Details →
#40 South Carolina $69,295 Details →
#41 Tennessee $69,295 Details →
#42 Missouri $68,517 Details →
#43 South Dakota $68,517 Details →
#44 Alabama $67,738 Details →
#45 Kansas $67,738 Details →
#46 Kentucky $67,738 Details →
#47 Oklahoma $66,960 Details →
#48 Arkansas $65,402 Details →
#49 West Virginia $65,402 Details →
#50 Mississippi $64,624 Details →

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Key Responsibilities

  • ● Evaluate insurance applications and assess risk factors
  • ● Determine appropriate coverage amounts and premium rates
  • ● Review policy terms, conditions, and exclusions
  • ● Analyze actuarial data and loss statistics
  • ● Negotiate terms with brokers and agents

Top Skills

Risk Assessment Analytical Skills Insurance Regulations Underwriting Software Decision-Making Attention to Detail

Education Required

Bachelor's degree

Job Outlook

Decline — projected -2% growth over the next decade

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Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Underwriter Salaries

How much does a Insurance Underwriter make per year? ▼
The median insurance underwriter salary in the United States is $77,860 per year. Entry-level positions start around $50,000, while senior-level professionals earn up to $115,000 annually. The mean (average) salary is $82,800.
How much does a Insurance Underwriter make per hour? ▼
Based on the national median salary of $77,860 per year, a insurance underwriter earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by experience, location, and employer.
What is the highest paying state for insurance underwriters? ▼
Hawaii is the highest paying state for insurance underwriters, with a median salary of $132,362. Other top-paying states include Massachusetts ($110,561) and California ($107,447).
What education do you need to become a insurance underwriter? ▼
Most insurance underwriter positions require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Risk Assessment, Analytical Skills, Insurance Regulations, Underwriting Software. Relevant certifications and hands-on experience can also strengthen your qualifications.
What is the job outlook for insurance underwriters? ▼
Employment for insurance underwriters is projected to grow -2% over the next decade, which is decline. There are currently 114,200 insurance underwriters employed in the United States.
How much does an entry-level insurance underwriter make? ▼
An entry-level insurance underwriter with 0-2 years of experience earns around $50,000 per year. With 3-7 years of experience, pay increases to approximately $78,000. The bottom 10% of earners make $48,600, while the top 10% earn $126,400.