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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Underwriting Specialist in Illinois is $93,483 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.
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 | $99,935 | $8,328 | $1,922 | $48 |
| Average | $93,483 | $7,790 | $1,798 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,341 | $7,112 | $1,641 | $41 |
Zurich NA - Chicago, IL
Warrior Insurance Network - Chicago, IL
CNA - Chicago, IL
American International Group - Chicago, IL
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 | $60,723 |
| Underwrit... Level Underwriting Specialist | $71,545 |
| Underwrit... Level Underwriting Specialist | $93,009 |
| Underwrit... Level Underwriting Specialist | $108,663 |
| Property ... Level Underwriting Specialist | $115,655 |
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 | $112,180 | $54.0 | 20% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $102,832 | $49.0 | 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 | $99,935 | $8,328 | $1,922 | $48 |
| Average | $93,483 | $7,790 | $1,798 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,341 | $7,112 | $1,641 | $41 |
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.
Arch Capital Group Ltd.
Chicago, IL
Arch Capital Group Ltd. | Chicago, IL
With a company culture rooted in collaboration, expertise and innovation, we aim to promote progress and inspire our clients, employees, investors and comm... more
9 Days Ago
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.
Schiller Park, IL
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd. | Schiller Park, IL
Zurich is currently looking to hire an Underwriting Specialist or Executive Underwriter – E&S Property to join our team. We are open to candidates working ... more
7 Days Ago
AIG
Chicago, IL
AIG | Chicago, IL
Senior Underwriting Specialist, Retail PropertyJoin us to play a highly influential role in protecting our clients and growing our business.Make your mark ... more
9 Days Ago
American International Group
Chicago, IL
American International Group | Chicago, IL
Join us as a Senior Underwriting Specialist, Retail Property to play a highly influential role in protecting our clients and growing our business.Make your... more
9 Days Ago
The Hanover Insurance Group
Omaha, IL
The Hanover Insurance Group | Omaha, IL
Employer Industry:InsuranceWhy consider this job opportunity:Opportunity for career advancement and growth within the organizationComprehensive benefits pa... more
9 Days Ago
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.
Schiller Park, IL
Zurich Insurance Company Ltd. | Schiller Park, IL
Zurich is seeking an Underwriting Specialist OR Executive Underwriter, Umbrella Excess Casualty for our National Accounts Large Property Underwriting team ... more
7 Days Ago
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