Insurance Underwriter salary in Pennsylvania
Insurance Underwriters in Pennsylvania earn a median of $78,950 a year ($37.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,600 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $81,370. Pennsylvania ranks 27th of 49 states for insurance underwriters pay. There are 0.85 insurance underwriters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $90,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| 25th percentile | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Median | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| 75th percentile | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,600 | $65.19 |
| Average (mean) | $90,490 | $43.51 |
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 | $6,579.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,289.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,036.54 |
| Weekly | $1,518.27 |
| Hourly | $37.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Insurance Underwriter salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $84,580 | 2,590 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $80,690 | 130 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $77,890 | 320 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $77,760 | 500 |
| Lancaster, PA | $75,380 | 160 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $47,840 | 250 |
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 |
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $84,460 | $40.61 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $105,200 | $50.58 |
| Loan Officer | $69,300 | $33.32 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $56,870 | $27.34 |
| Financial Examiner | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $103,040 | $49.54 |
| Tax Preparer | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| Credit Analyst | $80,280 | $38.59 |
| Budget Analyst | $84,240 | $40.50 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $57,920 | $27.85 |
| Credit Counselor | $58,330 | $28.04 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,450 | $33.87 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in Pennsylvania is $78,950 a year, or $37.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in Pennsylvania earn at least $135,600 a year. The top 25% earn $103,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,310 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $63,440 or less.
How many insurance underwriters work in Pennsylvania?
About 5,160 insurance underwriters are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.