Data Scientists vs Insurance Underwriters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $32,710 more per year than Insurance Underwriters professionals — that's 40.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $138,020 for Insurance Underwriters.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
$51,640$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Insurance Underwriters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $51,640 | +$12,010 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $63,070 | +$19,560 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $79,880 | +$32,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $104,820 | +$50,990 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $138,020 | +$56,390 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $90,830 | +$33,760 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Insurance Underwriters?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $32,710 (40.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Insurance Underwriters jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Underwriters to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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