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Insurance Underwriters

Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $81,370/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$55,530$145,160

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: -2.6% projected growth, 20242034 — declining.

About 8,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
WritingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningCoordinationMonitoring
Top knowledge areas
English LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsSales and MarketingAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingLaw and GovernmentComputers and Electronics
Core tasks

Examine documents to determine degree of risk from factors such as applicant health, financial standing and value, and condition of property.

Decline excessive risks.

Write to field representatives, medical personnel, or others to obtain further information, quote rates, or explain company underwriting policies.

Evaluate possibility of losses due to catastrophe or excessive insurance.

Review company records to determine amount of insurance in force on single risk or group of closely related risks.

Decrease value of policy when risk is substandard and specify applicable endorsements or apply rating to ensure safe, profitable distribution of risks, using reference materials.

Authorize reinsurance of policy when risk is high.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Insurance Underwriters?

The median pay for Insurance Underwriters is $81,370 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Insurance Underwriters?

Employment for Insurance Underwriters is projected to change -2.6% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Insurance Underwriters?

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Insurance Underwriters?

About 8,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.