Insurance Underwriter salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Insurance Underwriters in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $95,370 a year ($45.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,980 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $81,370. Pay here is 2% lower than the New York statewide median of $97,450. There are 0.38 insurance underwriters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $98,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,340 | $29.01 |
| 25th percentile | $74,650 | $35.89 |
| Median | $95,370 | $45.85 |
| 75th percentile | $122,650 | $58.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,980 | $64.89 |
| Average (mean) | $98,050 | $47.14 |
Half of insurance underwriters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,947.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,973.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,668.08 |
| Weekly | $1,834.04 |
| Hourly | $45.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,370 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Insurance Underwriter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $98,410 | 6,740 |
| Rochester, NY | $94,310 | 260 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $92,830 | 370 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $90,380 | 80 |
| Syracuse, NY | $81,160 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for insurance underwriters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $106,640 |
| New Hampshire | $103,940 |
| Nevada | $101,440 |
| Connecticut | $100,690 |
| Colorado | $100,640 |
| Washington | $99,400 |
| New York | $97,450 |
| Wisconsin | $97,370 |
| New Jersey | $96,220 |
| Maine | $95,510 |
See Insurance Underwriter pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $82,120 | $39.48 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $96,490 | $46.39 |
| Loan Officer | $76,170 | $36.62 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $103,650 | $49.83 |
| Financial Examiner | $77,100 | $37.07 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $96,980 | $46.62 |
| Credit Analyst | $99,640 | $47.91 |
| Tax Preparer | $60,040 | $28.87 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $76,170 | $36.62 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $79,030 | $38.00 |
| Credit Counselor | $57,240 | $27.52 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $95,740 | $46.03 |
| Budget Analyst | $88,690 | $42.64 |
| Project Management Specialist | $101,180 | $48.64 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2053. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a insurance underwriter make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $95,370 a year, or $45.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $134,980 a year. The top 25% earn $122,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,340 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $74,650 or less.
How many insurance underwriters work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 200 insurance underwriters are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.