Business & Finance Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median insurance underwriter salary in Columbia, SC is $70,074 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$70,074
vs State Avg
+$779
vs National
$-7,786
Cost of Living
90%

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

Columbia offers a median insurance underwriter salary of $70,074, which is $779 above the South Carolina state average of $69,295. Compared to the national median of $77,860, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbia's cost of living is 90% 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 Columbia spans from $43,740 at the 10th percentile to $113,760 at the 90th percentile — a $70,020 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $45,000, while senior insurance underwriters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,500. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level insurance underwriter earns around $45,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$45,000
$-5,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$70,200
$-7,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$103,500
$-11,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $43,740
25th Percentile $55,080
Median (50th) $70,074
75th Percentile $90,000
90th Percentile $113,760

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$81,753
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$77,860
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$73,967
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$71,631
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Insurance Underwriter in Columbia

Education

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

Find Insurance Underwriter Jobs in Columbia

Browse open insurance underwriter positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance Underwriter Salary in Columbia

How much does a Insurance Underwriter make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median insurance underwriter salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $70,074 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $77,860. Salaries range from $43,740 (10th percentile) to $113,760 (90th percentile).
How much does a Insurance Underwriter make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $70,074, a insurance underwriter in Columbia earns approximately $34 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for insurance underwriter pay? ▼
Columbia's median insurance underwriter salary of $70,074 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $69,295. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a insurance underwriter salary of $70,074 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a insurance underwriter in Columbia? ▼
Most insurance underwriter positions in Columbia 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.