South Dakota Median
$83,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.97
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $81,370
State Rank
#16 of 49
210 employed here
How much does an Insurance Underwriter make in South Dakota?
An Insurance Underwriter working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $83,130 per year, or about $39.97 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $81,370 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $58,980 while the top 10% make $152,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,050 and $115,550 a year.
Insurance Underwriter salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,980 | $28.36 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,050 | $29.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $83,130 | $39.97 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $115,550 | $55.55 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,720 | $73.42 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 16th 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 $92,120Illinois $89,620Georgia $85,980Rhode Island $84,720Arkansas $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 South Dakota
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 South Dakota pay ($83,130) 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 South Dakota?
The median Insurance Underwriter salary in South Dakota is $83,130 per year, or about $39.97 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,980 at the entry level to $152,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Insurance Underwriters about 2% more than the national median of $81,370. South Dakota ranks 16th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Insurance Underwriters?
Yes on pay — South Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $83,130 a year. About 210 Insurance Underwriters are employed in South Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Insurance Underwriter salary report
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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.