Insurance Underwriter salary in Columbia, MO
Insurance Underwriters in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $63,540 a year ($30.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,120 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $81,370. Pay here is 21% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $80,040. There are 2.5 insurance underwriters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| 25th percentile | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Median | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| 75th percentile | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Average (mean) | $68,240 | $32.81 |
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 | $5,295 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,647.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,443.85 |
| Weekly | $1,221.92 |
| Hourly | $30.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Insurance Underwriter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $84,800 | 970 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $82,270 | 990 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $75,970 | 60 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,070 | $35.13 |
| Loan Officer | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Credit Analyst | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $63,030 | $30.31 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $71,300 | $34.28 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $85,130 | $40.93 |
| Financial Examiner | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $61,600 | $29.61 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,360 | $30.46 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $64,720 | $31.12 |
| Project Management Specialist | $80,870 | $38.88 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $54,440 | $26.17 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in the Columbia, MO metro area is $63,540 a year, or $30.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $97,120 a year. The top 25% earn $76,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,160 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $59,590 or less.
How many insurance underwriters work in Columbia, MO?
About 270 insurance underwriters are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.