Insurance Underwriter salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Insurance Underwriters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $100,130 a year ($48.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,760 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $81,370. Pay here is 1% higher than the Washington statewide median of $99,400. There are 0.58 insurance underwriters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $114,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,660 | $31.09 |
| 25th percentile | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Median | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| 75th percentile | $133,260 | $64.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,760 | $79.21 |
| Average (mean) | $114,200 | $54.91 |
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 | $8,344.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,172.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,851.15 |
| Weekly | $1,925.58 |
| Hourly | $48.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $83,630 | 230 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $79,080 | 340 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $99,370 | $47.78 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $114,540 | $55.07 |
| Loan Officer | $83,720 | $40.25 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $82,920 | $39.87 |
| Budget Analyst | $104,090 | $50.04 |
| Credit Analyst | $94,270 | $45.32 |
| Tax Preparer | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $98,020 | $47.13 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $134,330 | $64.58 |
| Credit Counselor | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Financial Examiner | $122,230 | $58.76 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $101,920 | $49.00 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $100,130 a year, or $48.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $164,760 a year. The top 25% earn $133,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,660 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $79,910 or less.
How many insurance underwriters work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 1,210 insurance underwriters are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.