Insurance Underwriters vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $53,200 more per year than Insurance Underwriters professionals — that's 66.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Insurance Underwriters earns $138,020 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$51,640$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Insurance Underwriters | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,640 | $79,850 | $-28,210 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,070 | $103,050 | $-39,980 |
| Median (50th) | $79,880 | $133,080 | $-53,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,820 | $169,000 | $-64,180 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,020 | $211,450 | $-73,430 |
| Mean (Average) | $90,830 | $144,570 | $-53,740 |
Employment Numbers
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Insurance Underwriters or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $53,200 (66.6% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Insurance Underwriters and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Insurance Underwriters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Insurance Underwriters has a median salary of $79,880 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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