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Insurance Underwriter I Salary in the United States

How much does a Insurance Underwriter I make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Insurance Underwriter I in the United States is $60,530 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a Insurance Underwriter I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,776
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,580 to $66,940
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,252
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View as table View as graph 25% $53,580 10% $47,252 90% $72,776 75% $66,940 $60,530 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Insurance Underwriter I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $66,940 $5,578 $1,287 $32
Average $60,530 $5,044 $1,164 $29
25th Percentile $53,580 $4,465 $1,030 $26
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Key Factors That Influence Insurance Underwriter I Salaries

A Insurance Underwriter I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Insurance Underwriter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Insurance Underwriter I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Insurance Underwriter I (0-2 years): $60,522
  • Insurance Underwriter II (2-4 years): $71,308
  • Insurance Underwriter III (4-7 years): $92,692
  • Insurance Underwriter IV (7+ years): $108,290
  • Insurance Underwriter V (7-10 years): $133,449
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Insurance Underwriter I0-2 years$60,522
Insurance Underwriter II2-4 years$71,308
Insurance Underwriter III4-7 years$92,692
Insurance Underwriter IV7+ years$108,290
Insurance Underwriter V7-10 years$133,449
$60,522 Insurance...
$71,308 Insurance...
$92,692 Insurance...
$108,290 Insurance...
$133,449 Insurance...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Insurance Underwriter Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $76,340
  • San Francisco: $75,590
  • Oakland: $73,910

What Skills Can Increase a Insurance Underwriter I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.06% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Financial Services (Mentioned in 1.53% Job Postings): A services provided by the finance industry, which encompasses a broad range of businesses that manage money. These services involve banking, brokerage, mortgages, credit cards, payment services, real estate, investment funds, taxes and accounting.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.23% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.06%
Financial Services 1.53%
Microsoft Office 1.23%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Insurance Underwriter I's salary.
  • Credit Administration: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Team Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Due Diligence: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Credit Administration
$78,084
29%
Team Operations
$69,004
14%
Due Diligence
$68,399
13%
Self Motivation
$67,794
12%
Accountability
$67,188
11%
Financial Accounting
$65,978
9%
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How Education impacts a Insurance Underwriter I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Insurance Underwriter Is enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Insurance Underwriter I with a Associate's Degree is between $57,607 and $61,443).

Insurance Underwriter I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Insurance Underwriter I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 17.6%
High School 17.6%
Associates 6.5%
Bachelors 61.1%
Masters 14.8%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Insurance Underwriter I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Insurance Underwriter I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on March 01, 2026

Insurance Underwriter I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Insurance Underwriter I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Insurance Underwriter I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Health Insurance Underwriter $71,400 18%
Intermediate Underwriter (Life) $71,400 18%
Property Casualty Insurance Underwriter II $71,310 18%
Insurance Underwriter II $71,400 18%

Salary Trends for Insurance Underwriter I

Salaries for a Insurance Underwriter I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $66,032 in 2023 to around $63,037 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Insurance Underwriter I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Insurance Underwriter I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$66,032
2024
$64,558
2025
$63,037
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $66,032
2024 $64,558
2025 $63,037
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Insurance Underwriter I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Insurance Underwriter I

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Insurance Underwriter I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Insurance Underwriter I

1. How much do American Income underwriters make?

The salary range for Insurance Underwriters typically falls between $55,730 and $70,810 per year, with a median salary of around $62,400. This reflects the base salary without including additional compensation.

2. What type of insurance agents make the most money?

Insurance underwriters typically earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $55,730, a mid-range salary of $62,400, and a maximum of $70,810. Those specializing in high-demand areas or complex policies often command higher earnings, making them some of the top earners in the insurance industry.

3. Is it hard to become an insurance underwriter?

Becoming an Entry Level Insurance Underwriter can be challenging due to the complexity of the job, the need for specialized knowledge, and the responsibility of assessing and mitigating risks. However, with dedication and training, many find success in this role, which offers a salary range from $55,730 to $70,810, with a median salary of $62,400.

4. Can insurance underwriters make a lot of money?

Insurance underwriters can earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $55,730, a mid-range salary of $62,400, and a maximum of $70,810. While some industries may offer higher salaries, these figures reflect a solid earning potential within the profession.

5. Do insurance underwriters get bonuses?

Insurance underwriters may receive annual or quarterly bonuses based on performance metrics set by their employer. Common bonus structures are tied to loss ratios, which reflect the percentage of premiums paid out in claims. With a salary range of $55,730 to $70,810, bonuses can significantly enhance overall compensation, especially for those achieving lower loss ratios.

6. How much does a title insurance underwriter make?

A title insurance underwriter typically earns between $55,730 and $70,810 annually, with a median salary of around $62,400. While some cities like San Francisco and Santa Clara offer higher salaries, the general pay range reflects the industry's standards.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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