Insurance Underwriter salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Insurance Underwriters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $79,230 a year ($38.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,200 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $81,370. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $75,160. There are 2.0 insurance underwriters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| 25th percentile | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| Median | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| 75th percentile | $101,960 | $49.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,200 | $85.19 |
| Average (mean) | $91,160 | $43.83 |
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 | $6,602.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,301.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,047.31 |
| Weekly | $1,523.65 |
| Hourly | $38.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $80,070 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77,440 | 100 |
| Dubuque, IA | $74,390 | 50 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $74,130 | 100 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $70,160 | 760 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,340 | $38.63 |
| Loan Officer | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $94,270 | $45.32 |
| Financial Examiner | $85,450 | $41.08 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $108,110 | $51.98 |
| Tax Preparer | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Budget Analyst | $91,920 | $44.19 |
| Credit Analyst | $80,190 | $38.55 |
| Credit Counselor | $49,160 | $23.63 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $86,540 | $41.61 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $79,230 a year, or $38.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $177,200 a year. The top 25% earn $101,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,970 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $64,640 or less.
How many insurance underwriters work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 790 insurance underwriters are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.