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Intermediate Underwriter (Life) Salary in the United States

How much does an Intermediate Underwriter (Life) make in the United States?

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

However, an Intermediate Underwriter (Life)'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
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Intermediate Underwriter (Life) Salaries

An Intermediate Underwriter (Life)'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 Intermediate Underwriter (Life) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate Underwriter (Life)'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:

  • Entry Underwriter (Life) (0-2 years): $60,516
  • Intermediate Underwriter (Life) (2-4 years): $71,302
  • Life Insurance Underwriter III (4-7 years): $92,697
  • Life Insurance Underwriting Supervisor (7+ years): $117,292
  • Life Insurance Underwriting Manager (7+ years): $131,295
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Underwriter (Life)0-2 years$60,516
Intermediate Underwriter (Life)2-4 years$71,302
Life Insurance Underwriter III4-7 years$92,697
Life Insurance Underwriting Supervisor7+ years$117,292
Life Insurance Underwriting Manager7+ years$131,295
View as Graph

How Do Intermediate Underwriter (Life) Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Intermediate Underwriter (Life)s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $79,000.
  • California: $78,700.
  • Massachusetts: $77,600.

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate Underwriter (Life)s

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 an Intermediate Underwriter (Life)'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.74% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Knowledge of Underwriting (Mentioned in 1.41% Job Postings): Underwriting simply means that your lender verifies your income, assets, debt and property details in order to issue final approval for your loan.
  • Financial Analysis (Mentioned in 1.1% Job Postings): Financial statement analysis (or financial analysis) is the process of reviewing and analyzing a company's financial statements to make better economic decisions to earn income in future. These statements include the income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows, notes to accounts and a statement of changes in equity (if applicable). Financial statement analysis is a method or process involving specific techniques for evaluating risks, performance, financial health, and future prospects of an organization. It is used by a variety of stakeholders, such as credit and equity investors, the government, the public, and decision-makers within the organization. These stakeholders have different interests and apply a variety of different techniques to meet their needs. For example, equity investors are interested in the long-term earnings power of the organization and perhaps the sustainability and growth of dividend payments. Creditors want to ensure the interest and principal is paid on the organizations debt securities (e.g., bonds) when due.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.74%
Knowledge of Underwriting 1.41%
Financial Analysis 1.1%
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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 an Intermediate Underwriter (Life)'s salary.

  • Economics: Can increase your salary by up to 35%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Economics $96,390
35%
Analysis $88,536
24%
Risk Management $86,394
21%
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Intermediate Underwriter (Life) Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intermediate Underwriter (Life) salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $77,106. While startup companies pay approximate $65,348.

Intermediate Underwriter (Life) Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $65,348
Growth Stage 51~500 $69,093
Established 501~5000 $74,478
Enterprise 5000+ $77,106

Intermediate Underwriter (Life) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intermediate Underwriter (Life) roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Underwriter (Life) positions in Insurance or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Underwriter (Life) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intermediate Underwriter (Life)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$96,390$46.035%
Healthcare$89,250$43.025%

How Education impacts an Intermediate Underwriter (Life)'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Underwriter (Life)s 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 an Intermediate Underwriter (Life) with a Associate's Degree is between $68,407 and $72,924).

Intermediate Underwriter (Life) Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intermediate Underwriter (Life)
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.5%
High School 4.5%
Associates 9.1%
Bachelors 72.7%
Masters 13.6%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Intermediate Underwriter (Life) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Intermediate Underwriter (Life)'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 Intermediate Underwriter (Life)

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

Common company salaries for Intermediate Underwriter (Life)

Here are companies hiring for Intermediate Underwriter (Life) and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Intermediate Underwriter (Life)

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Intermediate Underwriter (Life)?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Underwriter (Life) roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

2. How much do state farm underwriters make?

State Farm underwriters, specifically Intermediate Underwriters in the Life sector, typically earn between $64,800 and $82,600 annually, with a median salary of $72,700. This range reflects competitive compensation in the industry, ensuring a solid financial foundation for professionals in this role.

3. How much does an underwriting assistant earn in USA?

An Intermediate Underwriter (Life) in the USA earns an annual salary ranging from $64,800 to $82,600, with a median salary of $72,700. This translates to an hourly wage of approximately $31.13 to $39.69, and a monthly salary between $5,400 and $6,883.

4. Which states pay the most for underwriters?

The average salary for an Intermediate Underwriter (Life) ranges from $64,800 to $82,600, with a midpoint of $72,700. States like California and Pennsylvania typically offer competitive salaries, with California averaging around $34 per hour, which aligns with the higher end of the salary range for underwriters.

5. How much does a mortgage underwriter earn in the US?

How much does a Mortgage Underwriter make in the USA? The salary for an Intermediate Underwriter (Life) ranges from $64,800 to $82,600 per year, with a mid-salary of $72,700. Entry-level positions typically start at $64,800, while experienced professionals can earn up to $82,600 annually.

6. Can you make a lot of money as an underwriter?

As an Intermediate Underwriter in the Life insurance sector, you can expect to earn a salary ranging from $64,800 to $82,600, with a mid-level salary of approximately $72,700. While entry-level positions may start lower, experienced underwriters can achieve competitive earnings, especially in high-demand areas.

7. Is underwriting stressful?

Being an insurance underwriter can be stressful due to tight deadlines and the need for meticulous attention to detail. However, the work hours are generally manageable. With a salary range for Intermediate Underwriters between $64,800 and $82,600, the compensation reflects the responsibilities involved in the role.

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.)

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