Insurance Underwriter salary in Illinois
Insurance Underwriters in Illinois earn a median of $89,620 a year ($43.09 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $59,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,410 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $81,370. Illinois ranks 13th of 49 states for insurance underwriters pay. The average (mean) salary is $99,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,730 | $28.72 |
| 25th percentile | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Median | $89,620 | $43.09 |
| 75th percentile | $125,330 | $60.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,410 | $77.60 |
| Average (mean) | $99,120 | $47.66 |
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 | $7,468.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,734.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,446.92 |
| Weekly | $1,723.46 |
| Hourly | $43.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Insurance Underwriter salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $99,840 | 4,060 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $82,270 | 990 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $80,070 | 80 |
| Peoria, IL | $75,910 | 250 |
| Springfield, IL | $74,680 | 70 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $101,180 | $48.65 |
| Loan Officer | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $120,130 | $57.75 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Financial Examiner | $93,150 | $44.78 |
| Credit Analyst | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $104,300 | $50.14 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| Tax Preparer | $54,480 | $26.19 |
| Credit Counselor | $51,930 | $24.96 |
| Budget Analyst | $94,880 | $45.61 |
| Management Analyst | $104,270 | $50.13 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in Illinois is $89,620 a year, or $43.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in Illinois?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in Illinois earn at least $161,410 a year. The top 25% earn $125,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,730 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $74,500 or less.