Insurance Underwriter Salary in 2026
How Much Do Insurance Underwriters Make?
Insurance Underwriters earn a median annual salary of $79,880 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $51,640 at the 10th percentile to $138,020 at the 90th percentile — a range of $86,380. The highest-paying state is Vermont at $106,790.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,640 |
| 25th percentile | $63,070 |
| Median (50th) | $79,880 |
| 75th percentile | $104,820 |
| 90th percentile | $138,020 |
Insurance Underwriter Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Vermonttop | $106,790 |
| District of Columbia | $100,660 |
| Massachusetts | $100,050 |
| Colorado | $100,050 |
| Maine | $96,600 |
| New Hampshire | $96,100 |
| Connecticut | $95,460 |
| Washington | $95,310 |
| New Jersey | $93,500 |
| Maryland | $88,820 |
| Nevada | $87,290 |
| California | $87,200 |
| Illinois | $84,580 |
| New York | $83,970 |
| South Dakota | $83,370 |
| Kansas | $81,920 |
| Kentucky | $81,760 |
| South Carolina | $81,080 |
| Rhode Island | $80,960 |
| Florida | $80,000 |
| Ohio | $79,820 |
| Oregon | $79,290 |
| Idaho | $79,250 |
| Tennessee | $79,190 |
| Minnesota | $78,950 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,220 |
| Missouri | $78,100 |
| Georgia | $78,000 |
| Wisconsin | $77,940 |
| Iowa | $77,660 |
| Virginia | $77,110 |
| Michigan | $77,060 |
| Hawaii | $76,810 |
| Texas | $76,760 |
| Nebraska | $75,280 |
| Arizona | $73,740 |
| North Carolina | $72,180 |
| Indiana | $71,490 |
| Oklahoma | $68,290 |
| North Dakota | $67,690 |
| Delaware | $66,960 |
| Alabama | $63,760 |
| Arkansas | $63,690 |
| Louisiana | $63,480 |
| Utah | $63,410 |
| New Mexico | $62,390 |
| Alaska | $60,860 |
| Montana | $60,350 |
| Mississippi | $58,760 |
| West Virginia | $56,740 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Insurance Underwriters
Insurance Underwriter Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$51,640 – $63,070 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$79,880 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$104,820 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $138,020+ |
How to Earn More as an Insurance Underwriter
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Insurance Underwriters in Vermont earn $106,790 — $26,910 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($104,820) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Insurance Underwriter Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Insurance Underwriterthis career | $79,880 |
| Financial Manager | $161,700 |
| Investment Fund Manager | $161,700 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigator | $76,790 |
| Accountants and Auditor | $81,680 |
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SOC: 13-2053.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.