What is an underwriter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Robert Hoyt, Ph.D.
introduction image

An underwriter assesses and evaluates the risks involved in insuring a person or organization. They work for insurance companies, banks, and investment firms to determine insurance policies, loans, or investments. Underwriters review financial information and other relevant data to determine the risk level of applicants. The job requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of industry regulations. Underwriters play a critical role in managing risk for their employers and ensuring profitability.

What's a day at work look like for an Underwriter?

R

Robert Hoyt, Ph.D.Robert Hoyt, Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Department Head and Dudley L. Moore Jr. Chair of Insurance, University of Georgia

They are training for it now. Due to pandemic restrictions, they are taking classes in a hybrid environment with less face-to-face class time integrated with virtual interaction. Some of their classmates are restricted to their home countries and are joining virtually throughout the class. Group work in our courses is always important, but now they are having to working in teams through virtual platforms. This is how business will be done and it will be increasingly global given the convenience of engaging virtually without the cost of travel. In my opinion, the future work environment in insurance is going to look a lot like how we are educating students currently. However, thankfully, without the masks and with more opportunities for face-to-face socializing with clients and colleagues. As I note in more detail below, I think geographic limits will be much less important going forward due to the ability to be effective through virtual platforms and much more flexibility around where and when we work with be the norm.
ScoreUnderwriterUS Average
Salary
4.8

Avg. Salary $61,751

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.6

Growth Rate -4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 5.64%

Black or African American 9.16%

Hispanic or Latino 9.63%

Unknown 2.47%

White 72.73%

Gender

female 61.59%

male 38.41%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress Level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.6

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.5

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Underwriter?

Pros

  • Job stability

  • Opportunities for career advancement

  • Opportunity to develop risk management skills

  • Opportunity to work in a team-oriented environment

  • Potential to work remotely

Cons

  • Heavy workload during peak periods

  • Exposure to liability risks if errors are made

  • Limited interpersonal interaction with clients

  • Risk of the job becoming repetitive and monotonous

  • Potential for rejection or disappointment when applications are declined.

Underwriter career paths

Key steps to become an underwriter

  1. Explore underwriter education requirements

    Most common underwriter degrees

    Bachelor's

    65.9 %

    Associate

    15.4 %

    High School Diploma

    7.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific underwriter skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Customer Service10.78%
    Investor Guidelines5.70%
    Mortgage Loans5.47%
    Underwriting Guidelines5.11%
    Financial Statements3.54%
  3. Complete relevant underwriter training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New underwriters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an underwriter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real underwriter resumes.
  4. Research underwriter duties and responsibilities

    • Attain Jr. underwriter status and AUS underwriting authority.
    • Manage AUS findings and analyze approvals and results accordingly.
    • Complete initial review of appraisals, borrower credit documents, and DU/LP findings according to Fannie Mae and investor guidelines.
    • Research and develop SBA program.
  5. Prepare your underwriter resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your underwriter resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an underwriter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Underwriter Resume templates

    Build a professional Underwriter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Underwriter resume.
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  6. Apply for underwriter jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an underwriter job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Underwriter Job

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Are you an Underwriter?

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Average underwriter salary

The average Underwriter salary in the United States is $61,751 per year or $30 per hour. Underwriter salaries range between $39,000 and $96,000 per year.

Average Underwriter Salary
$61,751 Yearly
$29.69 hourly

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How do underwriters rate their job?

3/5

Out of 2 Underwriter reviews, 0% were positive.

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Based On 2 Ratings

Career Growth
1.0
Overall Rating
3.0
Work/Life Balance
3.5
Pay / Salary
3.5

Underwriter reviews

profile
3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2024
Pros

Remote work, banking hours and benefits

Cons

High pressure, Toxic work environment when rates increase & people become defensive & scared of layoffs


profile
3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023
Pros

Remote work opportunity

Cons

High pressure environment, constant scrutiny of job performance


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

I was fortunate to start via an underwriting training program with a large insurance company. These are difficult to get into now and companies aren't as committed to training. The training offered me a great overview of the industry & various product lines. This offered me flexibility as I learned new products and specialty programs. I enjoy a 9-5 role, great benefits, good bonuses and travel. You also meet many people with variety of education and professional backgrounds and interests and make great long term friendships. The industry welcomes and needs people with many talents. I've enjoyed working remote and with small teams in the office.

Cons

Industry goes through high & low pricing cycles with, making lots of money or struggling to make budget. This puts direct pressure on underwriters to produce new business in a crowded space promoting the same basic products. I see younger underwriters now with business degrees, advanced degrees & industry certifications promoted quickly with little experience. Underwriting/computer systems are often dated and inefficient. We spend too much time sitting and looking at double monitors with lots of eye strain.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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