upper level job

Underwriter II - Life Salary in the United States

How much does an Underwriter II - Life make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Underwriter II - Life in the United States is $71,304 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,750
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,215 to $75,725
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,671
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
AI Onboarding
View as table View as graph 25% $65,215 10% $59,671 90% $79,750 75% $75,725 $71,304 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Underwriter II - Life Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $75,725 $6,310 $1,456 $36
Average $71,304 $5,942 $1,371 $34
25th Percentile $65,215 $5,435 $1,254 $31
Check out Underwriter II - Life Job Openings in the United States
Life Underwriter

Pyramid Consulting - Columbus, OH

Senior Life Insurance Underwriter

Western & Southern Financial Group - Cincinnati, OH

Senior Life and Disability Underwriter

Protective - Toledo, OH

CV Sonographer II

Hendrick Health - ABILENE, TX

Search More Underwriter II - Life Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Underwriter II - Life Salaries

An Underwriter II - 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 Underwriter II - Life Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Underwriter II - 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:

  • Underwriter (Life) I (0-2 years): $60,518
  • Underwriter II - Life (2-4 years): $71,304
  • Underwriter (Life) III (4-7 years): $92,697
  • Life Underwriting Supervisor (7+ years): $117,248
  • Life Underwriting Manager (7+ years): $137,196
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Underwriter (Life) I0-2 years$60,518
Underwriter II - Life2-4 years$71,304
Underwriter (Life) III4-7 years$92,697
Life Underwriting Supervisor7+ years$117,248
Life Underwriting Manager7+ years$137,196
$60,518 Underwrit...
$71,304 Underwrit...
$92,697 Underwrit...
$117,248 Life Unde...
$137,196 Life Unde...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Underwriter II - Lives

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: $89,936
  • San Francisco: $88,951
  • Oakland: $87,076

What Skills Can Increase an Underwriter II - 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.74%
Knowledge of Underwriting 1.41%
Financial Analysis 1.1%
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 Underwriter II - 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
$96,260
35%
Analysis
$88,417
24%
Risk Management
$86,278
21%
Knowledge of Underwriting
$85,565
20%
Financial Statements
$84,139
18%
Tax Return
$81,287
14%
Get Latest Data

Underwriter II - Life Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Underwriter II - Life salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $77,064. While startup companies pay approximate $65,311.

Underwriter II - Life Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$65,311
Growth Stage51~500$69,047
Established501~5000$74,456
Enterprise5000+$77,064

Underwriter II - Life Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Underwriter II - 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, Underwriter II - Life positions in Insurance or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Underwriter II - Life as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Underwriter II - Life

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$96,260$46.035%
Healthcare$89,130$43.025%

How Education impacts an Underwriter II - Life's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Underwriter II - Lives 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 Underwriter II - Life with a Associate's Degree is between $68,675 and $73,207).

Underwriter II - Life Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Underwriter II - 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

Underwriter II - Life Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Underwriter II - 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 July 01, 2026

Underwriter II - Life Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Underwriter II - Life, 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.

Underwriter II - Life Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Health Underwriting Senior Cost Analyst $101,333 42%
Underwriter III - Life $92,697 30%
Senior Underwriter - Complex Medical $92,697 30%
Underwriter III - P&C $92,694 30%

Salary Trends for Underwriter II - Life

Salaries for an Underwriter II - Life can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $78,379 in 2023 to around $74,033 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Underwriter II - Life salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Underwriter II - Life Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$78,379
2024
$75,848
2025
$74,033
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $78,379
2024 $75,848
2025 $74,033
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Underwriter II - Life

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

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Underwriter II - Life

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

Find Your Next Underwriter II - Life Job

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

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

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

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

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

Price My Industry Jobs

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

FAQ about Underwriter II - Life

1. Where can an Underwriter II - Life earn the most?

An Underwriter II - Life's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Underwriter II - Life earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Underwriter II - Life is $89,936.

2. What is the highest pay for Underwriter II - Life?

The highest pay for Underwriter II - Life is $79,750.

3. What is the lowest pay for Underwriter II - Life?

The lowest pay for Underwriter II - Life is $59,671.

4. What are the responsibilities of Underwriter II - Life?

Responsible for reviewing and analyzing life insurance applications. Evaluates an applicant's medical history, physical condition, occupational hazards, and other information to accept, modify, or decline an application. Utilizes underwriting guidelines, rules, and standards to accept, reject, or mitigate risk for applications. Calculates rates and premiums from approved decrement tables. Ensures compliance with all industry and governmental regulations. Requires a bachelor's degree. May require Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) certification. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Underwriter II - Life?

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

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
lower level job