Compliance Officers vs Insurance Underwriters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn $1,460 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 1.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $138,020 for Insurance Underwriters.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
$46,230$138,020
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Insurance Underwriters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $51,640 | $-5,410 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $63,070 | $-3,940 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $79,880 | $-1,460 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $104,820 | $-20 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $138,020 | $-7,990 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $90,830 | $-5,850 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Compliance Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $118,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $104,000 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,500 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $96,280 |
Best Cities for Insurance Underwriters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $106,380 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $103,270 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,860 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $98,500 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $98,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Insurance Underwriters?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,460 (1.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Compliance Officers?
Compliance Officers salaries range from $46,230 (10th percentile) to $130,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,420.
What is the salary range for Insurance Underwriters?
Insurance Underwriters salaries range from $51,640 (10th percentile) to $138,020 (90th percentile), with a median of $79,880.
How many Compliance Officers and Insurance Underwriters jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Underwriters to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Insurance Underwriters earns $79,880. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS