Insurance Underwriter salary in Knoxville, TN
Insurance Underwriters in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $73,880 a year ($35.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,440 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $81,370. Pay here is 6% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $78,840. There are 0.35 insurance underwriters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $73,690, close to the median.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| 25th percentile | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Median | $73,880 | $35.52 |
| 75th percentile | $80,920 | $38.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,440 | $48.77 |
| Average (mean) | $73,690 | $35.43 |
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 | $6,156.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,078.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,841.54 |
| Weekly | $1,420.77 |
| Hourly | $35.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $102,460 | 110 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $80,160 | 130 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $79,870 | 620 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $75,380 | $36.24 |
| Loan Officer | $63,830 | $30.69 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $85,570 | $41.14 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Credit Analyst | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Budget Analyst | $80,870 | $38.88 |
| Tax Preparer | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Financial Examiner | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Project Management Specialist | $91,690 | $44.08 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,370 | $32.39 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $73,880 a year, or $35.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $101,440 a year. The top 25% earn $80,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,310 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $57,880 or less.
How many insurance underwriters work in Knoxville, TN?
About 150 insurance underwriters are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.