Insurance Underwriter salary in South Dakota
Insurance Underwriters in South Dakota earn a median of $83,130 a year ($39.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,720 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $81,370. South Dakota ranks 16th of 49 states for insurance underwriters pay. There are 0.47 insurance underwriters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $99,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,980 | $28.36 |
| 25th percentile | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Median | $83,130 | $39.97 |
| 75th percentile | $115,550 | $55.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,720 | $73.42 |
| Average (mean) | $99,910 | $48.04 |
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 | $6,927.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,463.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,197.31 |
| Weekly | $1,598.65 |
| Hourly | $39.97 |
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 South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $77,160 | 150 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $74,130 | 100 |
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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| Loan Officer | $79,920 | $38.42 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $99,150 | $47.67 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $128,720 | $61.89 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $63,350 | $30.46 |
| Credit Analyst | $73,040 | $35.11 |
| Tax Preparer | $52,530 | $25.26 |
| Financial Examiner | $88,690 | $42.64 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Budget Analyst | $79,180 | $38.07 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Credit Counselor | $48,890 | $23.50 |
| Management Analyst | $83,620 | $40.20 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in South Dakota is $83,130 a year, or $39.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in South Dakota earn at least $152,720 a year. The top 25% earn $115,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,980 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $61,050 or less.
How many insurance underwriters work in South Dakota?
About 210 insurance underwriters are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.