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Insurance Underwriter II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Insurance Underwriter II in the United States is $71,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,806
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,300 to $75,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,746

Key Factors That Influence Insurance Underwriter II Salaries

A Insurance Underwriter II'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 II'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): $60,516
  • Insurance Underwriter II (2-4 years): $71,302
  • Insurance Underwriter III (4-7 years): $92,694
  • Insurance Underwriter IV (7+ years): $108,278
  • Insurance Underwriter V (7-10 years): $133,425
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Insurance Underwriter I0-2 years$60,516
Insurance Underwriter II2-4 years$71,302
Insurance Underwriter III4-7 years$92,694
Insurance Underwriter IV7+ years$108,278
Insurance Underwriter V7-10 years$133,425

Top Paying Cities for Insurance Underwriter IIs

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: $90,000
  • San Francisco: $89,000
  • Oakland: $87,100

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.62% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 1.27% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
  • Cash Flow Analysis (Mentioned in 0.95% Job Postings): Cash flow analysis is an integral part of financial reporting. Regular monitoring and analysis of cash flow can ensure that businesses are operating in the most fiscally prudent way, and can plan growth and expansion more strategically.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.62%
Accounting 1.27%
Cash Flow Analysis 0.95%

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 II's salary.

  • Credit Administration: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Bank Secrecy Act: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Collective Bargaining: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Credit Administration $80,682
13%
Bank Secrecy Act $78,540
10%
Collective Bargaining $78,540
10%

Insurance Underwriter II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Insurance Underwriter II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $77,258. While startup companies pay approximate $65,432.

Insurance Underwriter II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $65,432
Growth Stage 51~500 $69,190
Established 501~5000 $74,615
Enterprise 5000+ $77,258

Insurance Underwriter II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Insurance Underwriter II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Insurance Underwriter positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Insurance Underwriter II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Insurance Underwriter II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$92,820$45.030%
Financial Services$85,680$41.020%
Healthcare$78,540$38.010%

How Education impacts a Insurance Underwriter II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Insurance Underwriter IIs 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 II with a Associate's Degree is between $70,152 and $74,781).

Insurance Underwriter II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Insurance Underwriter II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.8%
High School 4.8%
Associates 3.2%
Bachelors 72.6%
Masters 19.4%
Doctorate 0.0%

Insurance Underwriter II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Insurance Underwriter II'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 September 01, 2026
$65,300
Average $71,400/year
$75,800
$5,442
Average $5,950/month
$6,317
$1,256
Average $1,373/week
$1,458
$31
Average $34/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,800 $6,317 $1,458 $36
Average $71,400 $5,950 $1,373 $34
25th Percentile $65,300 $5,442 $1,256 $31

Most common benefits for Insurance Underwriter II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Insurance Underwriter II

Here are companies hiring for Insurance Underwriter II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Insurance Underwriter II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Insurance Underwriter II?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Insurance Underwriter II roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. How many hours do insurance underwriters work?

Insurance underwriters typically work a standard 40-hour week, though they may occasionally work longer hours. Their salary ranges from $66,700 to $86,000, with a median salary of $74,500. Some positions may require travel for out-of-town company meetings.

3. Can you make 6 figures as an underwriter?

While being an underwriter offers competitive salaries, it is unlikely to reach six figures based on current data. Insurance underwriters earn between $66,700 and $86,000 annually, with a mid-salary of $74,500. This range indicates a solid income, but not typically in the six-figure bracket.

4. Which states pay the most for underwriters?

Insurance underwriters can expect a salary range between $66,700 and $86,000, with a median salary of $74,500. States like California and Pennsylvania typically offer higher pay, with California's hourly rate around $34 and Pennsylvania's at approximately $31.48, reflecting the demand for skilled underwriters in these regions.

5. What is second level underwriting?

Second-level underwriting involves a human underwriter reviewing loans that automated systems cannot approve. This process ensures that deserving applicants are not denied. However, the guidelines for debt-to-income ratios are stricter for these manually underwritten loans, resulting in a lower approval rate. Insurance underwriters typically earn between $66,700 and $86,000, with a median salary of $74,500.

6. Can insurance underwriters make a lot of money?

Insurance underwriters can earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $66,700, a mid-range salary of $74,500, and a maximum of $86,000 annually. While some industries may offer higher salaries, these figures reflect a solid earning potential in the field.

7. How much do top insurance underwriters make?

Top insurance underwriters can earn between $66,700 and $86,000 annually, with a median salary of $74,500. While entry-level positions may start lower, experienced underwriters can command higher salaries, especially in senior roles.

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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