How much does an insurance underwriter make?
a year · about $39 an hour
A typical insurance underwriter in the United States makes $81,370 a year, about $39 an hour, about 1.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They review insurance applications and computer risk recommendations at a desk. For tricky cases, they may check medical records or credit information, then decide whether to offer coverage and set the premium.
Did you know? For common car insurance, underwriters often rely on software recommendations—so a computer may make the first risk check!
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $55,530 and $145,160How do you become one?
Most U.S. firms prefer a bachelor’s degree; business, finance, economics, or math studies help. New hires train with a senior underwriter for up to a year, and certificates can help them advance.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, since underwriters may advance to senior or manager roles, and with certifications that help them advance. The employer’s industry, the kind of insurance they specialize in, and where they work also matter.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($106,640), lowest in Mississippi ($59,250).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $55,530 | $81,370 | $145,160 | about 105,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $106,640 | about 3,000 |
| Connecticut | $100,690 | about 2,000 |
| Colorado | $100,640 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $99,400 | about 2,000 |
| New York | $97,450 | about 7,000 |
Official definition: Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Insurance-underwriters.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2053.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2022/may/oes132053.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY