Insurance Underwriter salary in South Carolina
Insurance Underwriters in South Carolina earn a median of $79,570 a year ($38.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 910 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,950 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $81,370. South Carolina ranks 24th of 49 states for insurance underwriters pay. There are 0.40 insurance underwriters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $87,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| 25th percentile | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| Median | $79,570 | $38.26 |
| 75th percentile | $103,500 | $49.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,950 | $64.88 |
| Average (mean) | $87,610 | $42.12 |
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 | $6,630.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,315.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,060.38 |
| Weekly | $1,530.19 |
| Hourly | $38.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Insurance Underwriter salary in cities in South Carolina
| 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 |
| Columbia, SC | $75,290 | 300 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Loan Officer | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $93,670 | $45.03 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $96,330 | $46.31 |
| Tax Preparer | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $59,110 | $28.42 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Credit Analyst | $77,530 | $37.28 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| Financial Examiner | $86,440 | $41.56 |
| Budget Analyst | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Credit Counselor | $53,190 | $25.57 |
| Project Management Specialist | $95,040 | $45.69 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in South Carolina is $79,570 a year, or $38.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in South Carolina earn at least $134,950 a year. The top 25% earn $103,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in South Carolina?
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 South Carolina?
About 910 insurance underwriters are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.