Illinois Median
$89,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.09
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $81,370
State Rank
#13 of 49
state estimate
How much does an Insurance Underwriter make in Illinois?
Insurance Underwriters in Illinois take home a median of $89,620 annually — roughly $43.09 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $81,370.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $59,730 while the top 10% make $161,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,500 and $125,330 a year.
Insurance Underwriter salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,730 | $28.72 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $74,500 | $35.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $89,620 | $43.09 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $125,330 | $60.25 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,410 | $77.60 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 13th out of 49 states and territories for Insurance Underwriter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Insurance Underwriter salary in other states
Massachusetts $106,640New Hampshire $103,940Nevada $101,440Connecticut $100,690Colorado $100,640Washington $99,400New York $97,450Wisconsin $97,370New Jersey $96,220Maine $95,510California $95,320Maryland $92,120Georgia $85,980Rhode Island $84,720South Dakota $83,130Arkansas $82,130District of Columbia $82,070Virginia $81,870Alaska $81,620Minnesota $80,700Missouri $80,040Kentucky $79,830South Carolina $79,570Ohio $79,260Oregon $79,200Pennsylvania $78,950Texas $78,890Tennessee $78,840Florida $78,720Vermont $77,990Arizona $77,740Indiana $77,440Michigan $77,380North Carolina $77,120Kansas $77,070Louisiana $76,540Iowa $75,160Nebraska $75,120North Dakota $74,130Hawaii $73,260Utah $72,730Oklahoma $66,770New Mexico $64,000Montana $63,140Idaho $62,530Wyoming $62,290Alabama $62,220Mississippi $59,250
Working as an Insurance Underwriter in Illinois
Nationally, about 105,000 people work as Insurance Underwriters in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($89,620) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Insurance Underwriter make in Illinois?
The median Insurance Underwriter salary in Illinois is $89,620 per year, or about $43.09 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,730 at the entry level to $161,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Insurance Underwriters about 10% more than the national median of $81,370. Illinois ranks 13th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Insurance Underwriters?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $89,620 a year. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Insurance Underwriter salary report
Related salaries
$78,760
median pay · 900,000 employed
$72,550
median pay · 111,000 employed
$102,320
median pay · 1,067,000 employed
$52,230
median pay · 28,000 employed
$95,420
median pay · 65,000 employed
$78,000
median pay · 324,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.