Insurance Underwriter salary in Tennessee
Insurance Underwriters in Tennessee earn a median of $78,840 a year ($37.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,150 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $81,370. Tennessee ranks 29th of 49 states for insurance underwriters pay. There are 0.38 insurance underwriters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $82,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance underwriters in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,200 | $24.13 |
| 25th percentile | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Median | $78,840 | $37.91 |
| 75th percentile | $100,640 | $48.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,150 | $59.21 |
| Average (mean) | $82,570 | $39.70 |
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 | $6,570 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,285 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,032.31 |
| Weekly | $1,516.15 |
| Hourly | $37.91 |
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 Tennessee
| 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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $73,880 | 150 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Loan Officer | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $92,990 | $44.71 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $84,160 | $40.46 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Credit Analyst | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| Tax Preparer | $36,600 | $17.59 |
| Budget Analyst | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Credit Counselor | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $90,950 | $43.73 |
| Financial Examiner | $87,110 | $41.88 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,370 | $32.39 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for insurance underwriters in Tennessee is $78,840 a year, or $37.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance underwriters make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of insurance underwriters in Tennessee earn at least $123,150 a year. The top 25% earn $100,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance underwriters in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,200 a year, and a quarter of insurance underwriters earn $60,540 or less.
How many insurance underwriters work in Tennessee?
About 1,250 insurance underwriters are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.