Insurance Underwriter salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Insurance Underwriters in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $79,570 a year ($38.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,850 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $81,370. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $79,570. There are 0.26 insurance underwriters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $88,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,270 | $27.53 |
| 25th percentile | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Median | $79,570 | $38.26 |
| 75th percentile | $107,690 | $51.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,850 | $60.51 |
| Average (mean) | $88,160 | $42.38 |
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 | $6,630.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,315.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,060.38 |
| Weekly | $1,530.19 |
| Hourly | $38.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $80,080 | 1,140 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $78,110 | 160 |
| Columbia, SC | $75,290 | 300 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Loan Officer | $65,580 | $31.53 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $93,960 | $45.17 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Tax Preparer | $62,350 | $29.97 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Budget Analyst | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Financial Examiner | $158,960 | $76.43 |
| Credit Analyst | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $96,050 | $46.18 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $76,880 | $36.96 |
| Credit Counselor | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $125,700 | $60.43 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $79,110 | $38.03 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $79,570 a year, or $38.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $125,850 a year. The top 25% earn $107,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,270 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $57,990 or less.
How many insurance underwriters work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 100 insurance underwriters are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.