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The Global Insight

How do I start an insurance underwriting career?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 25, 2026

These are the steps to becoming an underwriter:

  1. Earn a degree. The most desirable degrees are in finance-related fields.
  2. Apply for an entry-level job. Most underwriters start out working for a bank or other such financial services company in an entry-level position.
  3. Take a certification course.

Do insurance underwriters make good money?

Currently, the national mean salary for insurance underwriters is $76,880, which is noticeably higher than the U.S. average salary for all occupations, $51,960. But the salaries for insurance underwriters vary depending on where you work, so find out which states pay the most and which pay the least.

Is insurance underwriting a dying career?

Insurance underwriter was listed as one of the “10 most endangered jobs in 2015,” according to Forbes, citing data from the BLS that forecasts employment in the role is expected to fall by 6 percent between 2012 and 2022 , from 106,300 insurance underwriters in 2012 to fewer than 99,800 in 2022.

Is underwriting a stressful job?

The job itself is pretty much thankless and stressful. It normally pays well though, so that can be an offset to the stress level. As a P&C underwriter, you always need to be prepared for the day when a large loss will appear on a risk written by you.

Do you need to be good at maths to be an underwriter?

Although you don’t need a specific degree subject to become an insurance underwriter, a degree in business, finance or management, economics, law or mathematics may be useful. Many of the large insurance companies offer structured graduate training schemes in underwriting.

Are underwriters in demand?

Despite the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and job market, underwriters are still in high demand. In particular, there’s a strong need for underwriters who work with mortgage providers as the housing market experiences unique trends amid the pandemic.

Is being an underwriter stressful?

Is an underwriter a stable job?

The underwriter uses computer models that assess various risk factors associated with a client to make a coverage decision, and to set premium rates. The median annual income was $59,290, as of 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the income potential, job stability is modest for underwriters.

What kind of degree do you need to be an insurance underwriter?

Many insurance underwriters have bachelor’s degrees in business, finance, economics, or mathematics. You can take insurance underwriting courses and classes at any accredited college that offers related undergraduate programs. Some colleges offer master’s degrees in insurance risk management.

What kind of job can you get as an underwriter?

Among the career paths in insurance, insurance underwriters analyze insurance applications to determine whether they should be accepted or rejected. Insurance underwriters may be employed by insurance companies or by independent insurance brokerage firms.

What do underwriters look for in auto insurance?

For health, the main criteria are medical history and age. For auto insurance, which is a form of property and casualty insurance, underwriters look at driving record, age, and, sometimes, type of vehicle. In everything they do, insurance underwriters must strike a balance between risk and caution.

How does underwriting work for an insurance company?

How Insurance Underwriting Works. Insurance underwriters enter specific information about a client or applicant into a software program. The program recommends coverage and premiums based on the data, and it’s up to the underwriter to decide to approve or reject the application after an evaluation of the software results.