Insurance Underwriter salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Insurance Underwriters in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $95,830 a year ($46.07 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $77,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,150 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $81,370. Pay here is 1% higher than the California statewide median of $95,320. The average (mean) salary is $94,220, close to the median.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| 25th percentile | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Median | $95,830 | $46.07 |
| 75th percentile | $95,830 | $46.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,150 | $58.24 |
| Average (mean) | $94,220 | $45.30 |
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 | $7,985.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,992.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,685.77 |
| Weekly | $1,842.88 |
| Hourly | $46.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,830 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,210 | 520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $97,870 | 2,090 |
| Fresno, CA | $95,880 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $91,340 | 660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,520 | 1,350 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $83,240 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $79,590 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $121,700 | $58.51 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $144,910 | $69.67 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $136,820 | $65.78 |
| Loan Officer | $95,090 | $45.71 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $100,950 | $48.54 |
| Tax Preparer | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $166,240 | $79.93 |
| Budget Analyst | $131,730 | $63.33 |
| Credit Analyst | $129,240 | $62.13 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $99,300 | $47.74 |
| Financial Examiner | $123,750 | $59.50 |
| Credit Counselor | $80,680 | $38.79 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $141,960 | $68.25 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $95,830 a year, or $46.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $121,150 a year. The top 25% earn $95,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,770 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $77,770 or less.