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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Underwriting Specialist in California is $101,160 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.
However, an Underwriting Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Underwriting Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $108,141 | $9,012 | $2,080 | $52 |
| Average | $101,160 | $8,430 | $1,945 | $49 |
| 25th Percentile | $92,349 | $7,696 | $1,776 | $44 |
State Of California - Sacramento, CA
Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions - San Francisco, CA
Intact Services USA LLC - Anaheim, CA
American International Group - Los Angeles, CA
An Underwriting Specialist'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Underwriting Specialist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Underwrit... Level Underwriting Specialist | $65,709 |
| Underwrit... Level Underwriting Specialist | $77,420 |
| Underwrit... Level Underwriting Specialist | $100,647 |
| Underwrit... Level Underwriting Specialist | $117,586 |
| Property ... Level Underwriting Specialist | $125,152 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Underwriting Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Underwriting Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Underwriting Specialist positions in Business Services or Insurance typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Underwriting Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $121,392 | $58.0 | 20% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $111,276 | $53.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Underwriting Specialist'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $108,141 | $9,012 | $2,080 | $52 |
| Average | $101,160 | $8,430 | $1,945 | $49 |
| 25th Percentile | $92,349 | $7,696 | $1,776 | $44 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Underwriting Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Argonaut Management Services, Inc
Los Angeles, CA
Argonaut Management Services, Inc | Los Angeles, CA
Argo Group International Holdings, Inc.and American National, US based specialty P&C companies, (together known as BP&C, Inc.) are wholly owned subsidiarie... more
9 Days Ago
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.
Bolinas, CA
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd. | Bolinas, CA
Zurich is seeking an Underwriting Specialist OR Executive Underwriter, Large Property for our National Accounts Large Property Underwriting team in our San... more
7 Days Ago
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.
Los Angeles, CA
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd. | Los Angeles, CA
Zurich North America is looking for a Cyber and Technology E&O Underwriter for our Middle Market segment. This position reports to the Head of Middle Marke... more
7 Days Ago
AIG
Los Angeles, CA
AIG | Los Angeles, CA
Senior Underwriting Specialist, Excess CasualtyJoin us as a Senior Underwriting Specialist, Excess Casualty to step up to a key team leadership role that w... more
9 Days Ago
AIG
San Francisco, CA
AIG | San Francisco, CA
Join us as a Senior Underwriting Specialist to step up to a key team leadership role that will drive business growth.Make your mark in UnderwritingWe are r... more
9 Days Ago
The Mutual Group
San Francisco, CA
The Mutual Group | San Francisco, CA
Join to apply for the Nonprofit Human Services Underwriting Specialist - Remote Opportunity role at The Mutual Group2 days ago Be among the first 25 applic... more
9 Days Ago
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