Insurance Underwriter salary in Columbia, SC
Insurance Underwriters in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $75,290 a year ($36.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,590 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $81,370. Pay here is 5% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $79,570. There are 0.76 insurance underwriters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| 25th percentile | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| Median | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| 75th percentile | $99,370 | $47.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,590 | $60.38 |
| Average (mean) | $82,770 | $39.79 |
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 | $6,274.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,137.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,895.77 |
| Weekly | $1,447.88 |
| Hourly | $36.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $80,080 | 1,140 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $79,570 | 100 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $78,110 | 160 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $69,210 | $33.27 |
| Loan Officer | $64,660 | $31.09 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $87,630 | $42.13 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $94,130 | $45.26 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Tax Preparer | $36,150 | $17.38 |
| Budget Analyst | $82,980 | $39.89 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $59,110 | $28.42 |
| Credit Analyst | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $94,620 | $45.49 |
| Financial Examiner | $90,260 | $43.40 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| Management Analyst | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,260 | $40.99 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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, SC?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in the Columbia, SC metro area is $75,290 a year, or $36.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $125,590 a year. The top 25% earn $99,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,020 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $59,740 or less.
How many insurance underwriters work in Columbia, SC?
About 300 insurance underwriters are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.