Business & Finance Wheeling, WV Pop. 26,711

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Wheeling, West Virginia

The median insurance underwriter salary in Wheeling, WV is $60,731 per year, which is 22% below the national median and 7.1% below the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$60,731
vs State Avg
$-4,671
vs National
$-17,129
Cost of Living
78%

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

Wheeling offers a median insurance underwriter salary of $60,731, which is $4,671 below the West Virginia state average of $65,402. Compared to the national median of $77,860, Wheeling pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Wheeling's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 78% of the national average. This means the $60,731 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $77,860 in an average-cost city. This makes Wheeling an attractive option for insurance underwriters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for insurance underwriters in Wheeling spans from $37,908 at the 10th percentile to $98,592 at the 90th percentile — a $60,684 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $39,000, while senior insurance underwriters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $89,700. Wheeling is a smaller market (pop. 26,711), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Wheeling by Experience

In Wheeling, an entry-level insurance underwriter earns around $39,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $89,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 78% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$39,000
$-11,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$60,840
$-17,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$89,700
$-25,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Wheeling, WV

Percentile Wheeling
10th Percentile $37,908
25th Percentile $47,736
Median (50th) $60,731
75th Percentile $78,000
90th Percentile $98,592

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

Morgantown, WV
$70,074
Pop. 30,955
Charleston, WV
$68,517
Pop. 48,006
Huntington, WV
$63,845
Pop. 46,842
Parkersburg, WV
$62,288
Pop. 29,675

How to Become a Insurance Underwriter in Wheeling

Education

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

Find Insurance Underwriter Jobs in Wheeling

Browse open insurance underwriter positions in Wheeling, WV:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance Underwriter Salary in Wheeling

How much does a Insurance Underwriter make in Wheeling, WV? ▼
The median insurance underwriter salary in Wheeling, West Virginia is $60,731 per year, which is 22% below the national median of $77,860. Salaries range from $37,908 (10th percentile) to $98,592 (90th percentile).
How much does a Insurance Underwriter make per hour in Wheeling? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $60,731, a insurance underwriter in Wheeling earns approximately $29 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Wheeling compare to the West Virginia state average for insurance underwriter pay? ▼
Wheeling's median insurance underwriter salary of $60,731 is 7.1% below the West Virginia state average of $65,402. The local cost of living index is 78% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Wheeling, WV? ▼
Wheeling has a cost of living index of 78% compared to the national average. This means a insurance underwriter salary of $60,731 in Wheeling has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a insurance underwriter in Wheeling? ▼
Most insurance underwriter positions in Wheeling 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.