Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Medical Underwriter Salary in the United States

How much does a Medical Underwriter make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Medical Underwriter in the United States is $71,310 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,754
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,220 to $75,730
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,675
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Medical Underwriter Salaries

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

How Do Medical Underwriter 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 Medical Underwriters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $78,950.
  • California: $78,650.
  • Massachusetts: $77,600.

Top Paying Cities for Medical Underwriters

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: $89,940
  • San Francisco: $88,950
  • Oakland: $87,080

What Skills Can Increase a Medical Underwriter's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Networking (Mentioned in 14.84% Job Postings): Ability to maintain, build and expand a personal and business contact list to grow one's career and business opportunities.
  • Back Office (Mentioned in 5.18% Job Postings): The back office is the administration and support personnel who are not client-facing. Back-office personnel provide essential functions to the business.
  • Ethernet (Mentioned in 1.19% Job Postings): Ethernet is the traditional technology for connecting devices in a wired local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). It enables devices to communicate with each other via a protocol, which is a set of rules or common network language.
Skills Demand Percentage
Networking 14.84%
Back Office 5.18%
Ethernet 1.19%
See More Skills

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 Medical Underwriter's salary.

  • Ethernet: Can increase your salary by up to 40%.
  • Insurance Products: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Insurance Sales: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Ethernet $99,834
40%
Insurance Products $82,007
15%
Insurance Sales $79,867
12%
Get Latest Data

Medical Underwriter Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Medical Underwriter salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $76,953. While startup companies pay approximate $65,277.

Medical Underwriter Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $65,277
Growth Stage 51~500 $69,004
Established 501~5000 $74,326
Enterprise 5000+ $76,953

Medical Underwriter Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Medical Underwriter roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Business Services and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Medical Underwriter positions in Healthcare or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Medical Underwriter as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Medical Underwriter

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services$89,138$43.025%
Financial Services$74,876$36.05%

Medical Underwriter Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Medical Underwriter'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 October 01, 2026
$65,220
Average $71,310/year
$75,730
$5,435
Average $5,943/month
$6,311
$1,254
Average $1,371/week
$1,456
$31
Average $34/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,730 $6,311 $1,456 $36
Average $71,310 $5,943 $1,371 $34
25th Percentile $65,220 $5,435 $1,254 $31

Most common benefits for Medical Underwriter

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

Common company salaries for Medical Underwriter

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

Find Your Next Medical Underwriter Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Medical Underwriter

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Medical Underwriter?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Medical Underwriter roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Is there a demand for underwriters?

Yes, there is still demand for underwriters despite a projected 4% decline in employment from 2023 to 2033. On average, about 7,800 openings for insurance underwriters are expected each year. The salary for medical underwriters ranges from $61,190 to $74,070, with a median salary of $68,610, reflecting the ongoing need for skilled professionals in this field.

3. What skills do underwriters need?

In addition to formal education, medical underwriters need a range of skills to perform their work effectively. These include advanced computer knowledge, analytical thinking, strong communication and decision-making abilities, and keen attention to detail. The salary for medical underwriters typically ranges from $61,190 to $74,070, with a median salary of $68,610.

4. Do I need a license to be an underwriter?

While certifications aren't required to become an underwriter, they can enhance your appeal to employers as you pursue opportunities in the field. As a Medical Underwriter, you can expect a salary range from $61,190 to $74,070, with a median salary of $68,610, reflecting the value of expertise and credentials in this profession.

5. Which insurance makes the most money in the USA?

The salary for a Medical Underwriter in the USA ranges from $61,190 to $74,070, with a mid-salary of $68,610. While the most profitable insurance companies include Berkshire Hathaway and MetLife, the earnings for Medical Underwriters reflect the industry's overall financial health, contributing to the profitability of these firms.

6. What is the average age of an underwriter?

The workforce of Insurance underwriters in 2022 was 122,018 people, with 62.4% women and 37.6% men. The average age of male Insurance underwriters is 40.8, while for females, it is 44.9. In terms of salary, Medical Underwriters earn between $61,190 and $74,070, with a median salary of $68,610. The most common race/ethnicity for Insurance underwriters is White.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst