Financial Analysts vs Insurance Underwriters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $21,470 more per year than Insurance Underwriters professionals — that's 26.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Analysts earns $180,550 compared to $138,020 for Insurance Underwriters.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
$51,640$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Analysts | Insurance Underwriters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,410 | $51,640 | +$10,770 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,300 | $63,070 | +$15,230 |
| Median (50th) | $101,350 | $79,880 | +$21,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,050 | $104,820 | +$27,230 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,550 | $138,020 | +$42,530 |
| Mean (Average) | $116,490 | $90,830 | +$25,660 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Analysts
340,580
employed nationwide
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
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: Financial Analysts or Insurance Underwriters?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $21,470 (26.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
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 Financial Analysts and Insurance Underwriters jobs are there?
There are approximately 340,580 Financial Analysts positions and 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Underwriters to Financial Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Analysts has a median salary of $101,350 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