Insurance Underwriters
Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.
Also called: Account Manager Underwriter, Account Underwriter, Automobile and Property Underwriter, Bond Underwriter, Casualty Underwriter, Commercial Credit Underwriter
Median pay
$81,370
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$55,530 – $145,160
People employed
105,420
Holland code
CEI
Conventional · Enterprising · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 2.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 5.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 6.Do you prefer working indoors?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
Insurance Underwriters pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What insurance underwriters do
- 01Examine documents to determine degree of risk from factors such as applicant health, financial standing and value, and condition of property.
- 02Decline excessive risks.
- 03Write to field representatives, medical personnel, or others to obtain further information, quote rates, or explain company underwriting policies.
- 04Evaluate possibility of losses due to catastrophe or excessive insurance.
- 05Review company records to determine amount of insurance in force on single risk or group of closely related risks.
- 06Decrease value of policy when risk is substandard and specify applicable endorsements or apply rating to ensure safe, profitable distribution of risks, using reference materials.
Skills that matter most
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Sales and Marketing
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from insurance underwriters
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators93% · −4%
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents91% · −3%
- Financial Managers83% · +105%
- Actuaries83% · +60%
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists82% · −4%
Change into insurance underwriters
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators93% · $78,000
- Insurance Sales Agents86% · $62,280
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents84% · $78,660
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists82% · $78,210
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks82% · $50,020
Majors that lead here
- Risk Management
- Financial Risk Management
- Actuarial Science
- Insurance
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.