Insurance Underwriter Salary in 2026
Insurance underwriters evaluate insurance applications, determining coverage terms and premiums based on risk assessment. They analyze financial data, inspect properties, and make acceptance decisions.
Median Salary
$81,370
$6,781/mo
Entry Level
$55,400
starting pay
Senior Level
$113,200
experienced
Job Growth
+2%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Insurance Underwriters (SOC 13-2053) at a national median of $81,370 per year (mean $93,700), or $39.12 per hour, with 105,420 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Insurance Underwriter Overview
Insurance underwriters evaluate insurance applications, determining coverage terms and premiums based on risk assessment. They analyze financial data, inspect properties, and make acceptance decisions.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
105K
5-Year Growth
+13%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$39.12/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,781
Insurance Underwriter Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Insurance Underwriter salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Insurance Underwriter Salary
$94,000
$7,833/month · $3,615/biweekly · $45.19/hr
Insurance Underwriter Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Insurance Underwriter field.
Entry-level Insurance Underwriters earn around $55,400, while the top 10% earn $126,200 or more.
Top Paying States for Insurance Underwriters
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $96,000 | +$14,630 |
| New York | $94,000 | +$12,630 |
| Connecticut | $90,000 | +$8,630 |
| Illinois | $85,000 | +$3,630 |
| Texas | $80,000 | $-1,370 |
Top Paying Cities for Insurance Underwriters
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $102,000 | +$20,630 |
| New York | $96,000 | +$14,630 |
| Hartford | $86,000 | +$4,630 |
| Chicago | $85,000 | +$3,630 |
| Dallas | $81,000 | $-370 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Insurance Underwriter Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Insurance Underwriter from entry level to expert.
$55,400
0-2 years
$84,000
3-7 years
$113,200
8-14 years
$139,200
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Insurance Underwriter Salary FAQ
How much does a Insurance Underwriter make in 2026?
The median salary for a Insurance Underwriter in the United States is $81,370 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Insurance Underwriters (SOC 13-2053); the mean is $93,700. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $55,400, senior professionals around $113,200, and top earners at $139,200 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Insurance Underwriter?
A Insurance Underwriter typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Risk Assessment, Policy Analysis, Actuarial Tables. Relevant certifications such as CPCU or ARM can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Insurance Underwriters?
The job market for Insurance Underwriters is projected to grow by 2% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 105K Insurance Underwriter positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 13%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Insurance Underwriters the most?
The highest-paying states for Insurance Underwriters include Connecticut, New York, Illinois. In Connecticut, the median salary is approximately $90,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Insurance Underwriter salary?
To increase your Insurance Underwriter salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Risk Assessment and Policy Analysis. Pursue certifications such as CPCU. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Hartford. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $55,400 to $113,200 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Insurance Underwriter Salary
How we calculate Insurance Underwriter salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Insurance Underwriters (SOC 13-2053), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $81,370, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Insurance Underwriters; BLS mean $93,700; BLS hourly median $39.12.
- Entry-level ($55,400) and senior-level ($113,200) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +2% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 105,420 Insurance Underwriters jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 13% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Finance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $81,370; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Insurance Underwriter compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Insurance Underwriter job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Insurance Underwriter salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Risk Assessment, Policy Analysis, Actuarial Tables), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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