Underwriter Salaries
How much does an Underwriter make?
Total pay range
$70K - $116K/yr
$90K/yrMedian total pay
Pay breakdown
$58K - $94K/yrBase pay
$12K - $23K/yrAdditional pay
About our data
Confident
The “Most Likely Range” reflects values within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. Glassdoor salaries are powered by our proprietary machine learning model, which utilizes salaries collected from our users and the latest government data to make pay predictions.
How accurate is a total pay range of $70K-$116K/yr?
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Popular companies for Underwriters
3,440 companies
3,440 Popular companies with Underwriter
Viewing 1 - 5 of 3440 Results
See what insiders are saying about pay
Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for an Underwriter in United States are Arts, Entertainment & Recreation with a median total pay of $100,615, Government & Public Administration with a median total pay of $91,440, Management & Consulting with a median total pay of $85,321, Insurance with a median total pay of $85,050, and Construction, Repair & Maintenance Services with a median total pay of $83,597.
Top paying companies in Arts, Entertainment & Recreation for Underwriter are TBD and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Top paying companies in Government & Public Administration for Underwriter are US Navy and US Small Business Administration.
Top paying companies in Management & Consulting for Underwriter are Accenture, Boat US (Boat Owners Association of The United States), and Consolidated Analytics.
Top paying companies in Insurance for Underwriter are Munich Re, Tokio Marine America, and Crum & Forster.
The top paying company in Construction, Repair & Maintenance Services for Underwriter is NVR.
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
$100,615
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Top paying companies in Arts, Entertainment & Recreation for Underwriter are TBD and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Government & Public Administration
$91,440
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Top paying companies in Arts, Entertainment & Recreation for Underwriter are TBD and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Management & Consulting
$85,321
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Top paying companies in Arts, Entertainment & Recreation for Underwriter are TBD and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Insurance
$85,050
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Top paying companies in Arts, Entertainment & Recreation for Underwriter are TBD and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Construction, Repair & Maintenance Services
$83,597
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Top paying companies in Arts, Entertainment & Recreation for Underwriter are TBD and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Recent salaries shared by Underwriter
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Underwriter
1-3 years
$73K/yr
$73K • $0
Cincinnati, OH
submitted on Jun 1, 2026
$73K/yr
$73K • $0
Underwriter
4-6 years
$92K/yr
$92K • $0
Glenmont, NY
submitted on Jun 1, 2026
$92K/yr
$92K • $0
Underwriter
1-3 years
$80K/yr
$66K • $14K
Pontiac, MI
submitted on Jun 1, 2026
$80K/yr
$66K • $14K
Underwriter
4-6 years
$93K/yr
$93K • $0
Columbus, OH
submitted on May 30, 2026
$93K/yr
$93K • $0
Underwriter
7-9 years
$50K/yr
$50K • $0
Atlanta, GA
submitted on May 30, 2026
$50K/yr
$50K • $0
Anonymously share your salary to help the community.
Underwriter
1-3 years
$92K - $107K/yr
Alpharetta, GA
submitted on May 30, 2026
$92K - $107K/yr
Underwriter
1-3 years
$82K/yr
$82K • $0
Boston, MA
submitted on May 29, 2026
$82K/yr
$82K • $0
Underwriter
4-6 years
$111K - $129K/yr
Glastonbury, CT
submitted on May 28, 2026
$111K - $129K/yr
Underwriter
15+ years
$100K - $116K/yr
Saint Louis, MO
submitted on May 28, 2026
$100K - $116K/yr
Underwriter
15+ years
$67K - $77K/yr
Columbus, OH
submitted on May 28, 2026
$67K - $77K/yr
Viewing 1 - 10 of 50
Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview
What is the pay outlook for Finance & Accounting?
Jobs in finance and accounting are expected to see continued demand, with employment growth linked to the health of the broader economy. These jobs will continue to offer above average pay but usually require higher education or certification to enter the field. While automation will replace many common tasks, it is not expected to reduce the need for these employees; it will instead allow them to focus on core soft skills like advising clients and analyzing trends.Show more
Underwriter salary in US
A Underwriter salary range in US can vary based on important factors such as education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. A Underwriter in US can expect to see an entry level salary range of $49,008 to $76,158 per year, based on 170 salary contributions. At the highest seniority level, an experienced Underwriter in US can make a salary range of $42,568 to $99,529 with at least 8 years of experience, based on 6,839 salary contributions. The top 3 companies in US where a Underwriter gets the highest compensation are Ameritas Life Insurance Corp, Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. and The Judge Group, Inc.. Bigger companies typically pay 32.77% more than smaller companies for a Underwriter.Show more
Frequently asked questions about Underwriter salaries
How much does an Underwriter in United States make?
The average salary for an Underwriter is $89,845 per year or $43 per hour in United States, which is in line with the national average. Top earners have reported making up to $146,239 (90th percentile). However, the typical pay range in United States is between $69,968 (25th percentile) and $116,477 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 16851 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Underwriter employees in United States as of June 2026.
What is the highest salary for an Underwriter in United States?
The highest salary for an Underwriter in United States is $116,477 per year, $9,706 per month or $56 per hour.
What is the lowest salary for an Underwriter in United States?
The lowest salary for an Underwriter in United States is $69,968 per year, $5,831 per month or $34 per hour.
What is the salary trajectory of an Underwriter?
The salary trajectory of an Underwriter ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $79,558 per year (estimate) and goes up to $301,245 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
What is the Salary Trend for Underwriters?
Underwriters earn pay similar to other commercial banking roles that require only a bachelor’s degree, including claims adjustors, loan officers, budget analysts, and cost estimators. Their pay is generally higher than that of insurance sales agents and lower than the pay for actuaries. Underwriters are generally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting or a related field. Applicants with three to five years of related experience are in the greatest demand, and will likely command the highest pay.
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Do Underwriters Make Good Money in United States?
Considerable years of experience, certification in an industry specialty, and an advanced degree can help qualify underwriter salaries as good. On Glassdoor, professionals rated their personal salary satisfaction anonymously, and 70% of underwriters consider themselves happy with the salary they bring in.
How Much Does an Underwriter Make Over Time in United States?
As underwriters gain experience in the industry, obtain their professional certifications, and master industry-specific skills, they can progress in seniority and become senior underwriters, followed by directors of underwriting. While higher-level positions correspond with higher underwriter salaries following the average career path, those in standard positions have a salary range between $55,908.09 and $146,239.18, with an average underwriter salary of $73,758.04.
How to Make More Money as an Underwriter
To remain current in the financial industry and make a higher salary as an underwriter, obtain and update professional certifications in an industry specialty or specialties. These generally include insurance, mortgage, equity markets, and debt security trading. Some markets are more profitable than others, so consider switching if you're not making enough from your current role; those with the most risk make the most money. As you progress in your career, use certifications to your advantage; they could help you score a more advanced role and will stand out to potential employers. Completing your master's degree in finance or a related field is also impactful in your profession.
How to Negotiate a Higher Salary as an Underwriter
In your underwriter job, you'll need to prove to employers and investors your value in determining the level of risk associated with every business decision. If you're an experienced professional, fight for a higher salary by showing concrete proof of your results in this area. Business reports go a long way in establishing credibility and could earn you a higher raise in the 15% to 20% range. If you're in an established position and fighting for a raise, ask what you can do to earn it and work toward that goal. Always work your compensation package into the deal by factoring in PTO, vacation time, insurance benefits, and tuition reimbursement.