Computer Programmers vs Insurance Underwriters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $18,790 more per year than Insurance Underwriters professionals — that's 23.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $138,020 for Insurance Underwriters.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
$51,640$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Insurance Underwriters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $51,640 | +$550 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $63,070 | +$8,790 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $79,880 | +$18,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $104,820 | +$24,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $138,020 | +$24,070 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $90,830 | +$12,810 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
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: Computer Programmers or Insurance Underwriters?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $18,790 (23.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
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 Computer Programmers and Insurance Underwriters jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Underwriters to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 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