California ranks 12th of 50 states and D.C. for insurance underwriters pay, trailing top-paying Vermont ($106,790) by $19,590 — a 22% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $63,000 to $162,860 — a $99,860 spread, 16% wider than the national $86,380 range.
Insurance Underwriters are less concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.58 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.72× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $63,000 | $30.29 |
| 25th percentile | $75,770 | $36.43 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $87,200 | $41.92 |
| 75th percentile | $120,100 | $57.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,860 | $78.30 |
| Mean (average) | $101,720 | $48.91 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $87,200 | n/a |
| Vermont | $106,790 | +22% |
| District of Columbia | $100,660 | +15% |
| Colorado | $100,050 | +15% |
| Massachusetts | $100,050 | +15% |
| Maine | $96,600 | +11% |
| New Hampshire | $96,100 | +10% |
| Connecticut | $95,460 | +9% |
| Washington | $95,310 | +9% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $86,590 | 10,030 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $87,940 | 13,640 |
| Credit Analysts | $88,360 | 6,400 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $85,850 | 15,360 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $85,560 | 3,180 |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $89,010 | 34,370 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Insurance Underwriters salary in California?
The mean insurance underwriters salary in California is $101,720 per year. The median (middle) salary is $87,200 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Insurance Underwriters in California?
Entry-level insurance underwriterss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $63,000 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $75,770 per year.
What is the highest Insurance Underwriters salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $162,860 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $120,100 per year.
How does the California Insurance Underwriters salary compare to the national average?
The median insurance underwriters salary in California is $87,200, which is +9% above national average of $79,880.