Insurance Underwriters vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn $16,910 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 26.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Insurance Underwriters earns $138,020 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$138,020
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Insurance Underwriters | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,640 | $40,670 | +$10,970 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,070 | $48,860 | +$14,210 |
| Median (50th) | $79,880 | $62,970 | +$16,910 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,820 | $81,900 | +$22,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,020 | $105,150 | +$32,870 |
| Mean (Average) | $90,830 | $69,940 | +$20,890 |
Employment Numbers
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Insurance Underwriters or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $16,910 (26.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Insurance Underwriters and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to Insurance Underwriters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Insurance Underwriters has a median salary of $79,880 while Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. 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