Business & Finance Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median insurance underwriter salary in Des Moines, IA is $71,631 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$71,631
vs State Avg
+$2,336
vs National
$-6,229
Cost of Living
92%

Insurance Underwriter Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median insurance underwriter salary of $71,631, which is $2,336 above the Iowa state average of $69,295. Compared to the national median of $77,860, Des Moines pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Des Moines's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for insurance underwriters in Des Moines spans from $44,712 at the 10th percentile to $116,288 at the 90th percentile — a $71,576 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $46,000, while senior insurance underwriters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $105,800. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level insurance underwriter earns around $46,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $105,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,000
$-4,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$71,760
$-6,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$105,800
$-9,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $44,712
25th Percentile $56,304
Median (50th) $71,631
75th Percentile $92,000
90th Percentile $116,288

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$73,967
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$68,517
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$66,960
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$65,402
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Insurance Underwriter in Des Moines

Education

Most insurance underwriter positions require a bachelor's degree. Des Moines and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Risk AssessmentAnalytical SkillsInsurance RegulationsUnderwriting SoftwareDecision-MakingAttention to Detail

Job Outlook

Nationally, insurance underwriter employment is projected to grow -2% over the next decade (decline). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Insurance Underwriter Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open insurance underwriter positions in Des Moines, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance Underwriter Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Insurance Underwriter make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median insurance underwriter salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $71,631 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $77,860. Salaries range from $44,712 (10th percentile) to $116,288 (90th percentile).
How much does a Insurance Underwriter make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $71,631, a insurance underwriter in Des Moines earns approximately $34 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for insurance underwriter pay? ▼
Des Moines's median insurance underwriter salary of $71,631 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $69,295. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA? ▼
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a insurance underwriter salary of $71,631 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a insurance underwriter in Des Moines? ▼
Most insurance underwriter positions in Des Moines require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Risk Assessment, Analytical Skills, Insurance Regulations, Underwriting Software. The job market is projected to grow -2% nationally over the next decade.