Business & Finance Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median insurance underwriter salary in Durham, NC is $76,303 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 3.2% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$76,303
vs State Avg
+$2,336
vs National
$-1,557
Cost of Living
95%

Insurance Underwriter Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median insurance underwriter salary of $76,303, which is $2,336 above the North Carolina state average of $73,967. Compared to the national median of $77,860, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% 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 Durham spans from $47,628 at the 10th percentile to $123,872 at the 90th percentile — a $76,244 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $49,000, while senior insurance underwriters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $112,700. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level insurance underwriter earns around $49,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $112,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$49,000
$-1,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$76,440
$-1,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$112,700
$-2,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $47,628
25th Percentile $59,976
Median (50th) $76,303
75th Percentile $98,000
90th Percentile $123,872

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$78,639
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$78,639
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$70,853
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$69,295
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Insurance Underwriter in Durham

Education

Most insurance underwriter positions require a bachelor's degree. Durham and the surrounding North Carolina 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 Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Insurance Underwriter Jobs in Durham

Browse open insurance underwriter positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance Underwriter Salary in Durham

How much does a Insurance Underwriter make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median insurance underwriter salary in Durham, North Carolina is $76,303 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $77,860. Salaries range from $47,628 (10th percentile) to $123,872 (90th percentile).
How much does a Insurance Underwriter make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $76,303, a insurance underwriter in Durham earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for insurance underwriter pay? ▼
Durham's median insurance underwriter salary of $76,303 is 3.2% above the North Carolina state average of $73,967. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a insurance underwriter salary of $76,303 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a insurance underwriter in Durham? ▼
Most insurance underwriter positions in Durham 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.