US
Los Angeles, CA
California salary market
$97.3K
Avg / Year
+22% vs U.S.
vs National
2,460
Employment
$8.1K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Los Angeles, CA (2026)

The Insurance Underwriter salary in Los Angeles, CA for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Los Angeles, CA market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Los Angeles, CA city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$97.3K
per year
Entry Level
$64.4K
starting range
Senior Level
$135K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$99.2K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$8.1K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$45
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Insurance Underwriter Salary Overview in Los Angeles, CA

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Insurance Underwriter pay in Los Angeles, CA at about $97,281.0 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $62,040.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $165,390.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Long Beach, and Anaheim.

If you’re comparing Insurance Underwriter salaries in Los Angeles, CA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Los Angeles, CA vs. U.S. National Average

Los Angeles, CA pays +22% vs u.s. for Insurance Underwriter roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$79.9K
all U.S. markets combined
+22%
Los Angeles, CA Premium
Los Angeles, CA City Average
$97.3K
Insurance Underwriter
MarketProjected Salaryvs Los Angeles, CAMarket Maturity
Los Angeles, CA (this guide)$97,281.0BaselineLocal market
United States$79,880.0-18% vs U.S.National baseline
San Francisco, CA$94,210.0-3% vs U.S.Comparable city
San Diego, CA$84,950.0-13% vs U.S.Comparable city
Sacramento, CA$84,020.0-14% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Los Angeles, CA pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Insurance Underwriter Salary by Experience Level in Los Angeles, CA

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Los Angeles, CA, this breakdown shows how aInsurance Underwriter can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$78.3K
$47/hr median equivalent
$64.4K - $97.3K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$97.3K
$47/hr median equivalent
$78.3K - $135K
Senior
6-10 years
$135K
$47/hr median equivalent
$97.3K - $172K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$172K
$47/hr median equivalent
$135K - $209K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Insurance Underwriter0-2 years$78,315.0$64,370.0 - $97,281.0-2% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Insurance Underwriter3-5 years$97,281.0$78,315.0 - $134,571+22% vs U.S.
Senior Insurance Underwriter6-10 years$134,571$97,281.0 - $171,601+68% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Insurance Underwriter10+ years$171,601$134,571 - $209,353+115% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Los Angeles, CA

Nearby metro areas help show how Insurance Underwriter pay changes around Los Angeles, CA. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Los Angeles, CA
$97.3K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Long Beach, and Anaheim.
This guide
#2
San Francisco, CA
$94.2K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Insurance Underwriter salaries around Los Angeles, CA.
-3% vs U.S.
#3
San Diego, CA
$85.0K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Insurance Underwriter salaries around Los Angeles, CA.
-13% vs U.S.
#4
Sacramento, CA
$84.0K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Insurance Underwriter salaries around Los Angeles, CA.
-14% vs U.S.
#5
Riverside, CA
$80.0K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Insurance Underwriter salaries around Los Angeles, CA.
-18% vs U.S.

Insurance Underwriter Salary by Industry in Los Angeles, CA

Industry premiums in Los Angeles, CA usually come from employers that place the Insurance Underwriter role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Health Care and Social Assistance$99,940.0$49,940.0 - $114,200Stronger salary
Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing$82,980.0$81,360.0 - $108,960Stronger salary
Finance and Insurance$79,960.0$51,870.0 - $139,510Stronger salary
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$78,970.0$46,650.0 - $127,370Competitive
Other Services Except Public Administration$78,870.0$49,520.0 - $115,860Competitive
Management of Companies and Enterprises$78,490.0$53,540.0 - $125,230Competitive
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services$75,000.0$47,490.0 - $126,570Competitive
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$73,930.0$50,000.0 - $107,350Competitive

Entry-Level Insurance Underwriter Salary in Los Angeles, CA

Entry-level Insurance Underwriter jobs in Los Angeles, CA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Insurance Underwriter salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Insurance Underwriter roles in Los Angeles, CA is about $78,315.0.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Insurance Underwriter Pay in Los Angeles, CA

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Insurance Underwriter candidates in Los Angeles, CA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$97,281.0
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$99,226.6
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$95,335.4Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$99,226.6Metro dependentLos Angeles, CA employersMedium
Onsite$97,281.0Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Los Angeles, CA

A salary in Los Angeles, CA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.3K
$1.8K
$2.3K
Transport / commute
$283.7
$324.3
$364.8
Food and groceries
$608.0
$648.5
$729.6
Utilities and internet
$283.7
$324.3
$364.8
Estimated remainder
$2.8K
$4.2K
$5.2K
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Top Employers Hiring Insurance Underwriters in Los Angeles, CA

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Insurance Underwriter pay tends to be strongest in Los Angeles, CA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Health Care and Social Assistance employers
$99.9K
Industry benchmark for Insurance Underwriter roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing employers
$83.0K
Industry benchmark for Insurance Underwriter roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Finance and Insurance employers
$80.0K
Industry benchmark for Insurance Underwriter roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$79.0K
Industry benchmark for Insurance Underwriter roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Other Services Except Public Administration employers
$78.9K
Industry benchmark for Insurance Underwriter roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$78.5K
Industry benchmark for Insurance Underwriter roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Los Angeles, CA Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherLos Angeles, CA is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Insurance Underwriter work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Los Angeles, CA
This guide
$97.3K
Baseline
San Francisco, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$94.2K
-3% vs U.S.
San Diego, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$85.0K
-13% vs U.S.
Sacramento, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$84.0K
-14% vs U.S.
Riverside, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$80.0K
-18% vs U.S.
Oxnard, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$77.0K
-21% vs U.S.
Fresno, CA
Nearby U.S. market
$74.8K
-23% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Los Angeles, CA

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$46.3K - $62.3K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$57.5K - $75.9K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$71.9K - $89.5K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$86.3K - $112K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$102K - $129K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$120K - $164K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by -2.6% from 2024 to 2034.
DecliningAnnual openings: 8.2 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment127k → 123.7k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor2,460 jobs with a median of $97,281.0

Factors Affecting Insurance Underwriter Salary in Los Angeles, CA

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Insurance Underwriter Salary in Los Angeles, CA

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Insurance Underwriter Salary in Los Angeles, CA: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Insurance Underwriter" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Insurance Underwriter in Los Angeles, CAs salary?
The latest national baseline for Insurance Underwriters is about $79,900 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Insurance Underwriter in Los Angeles, CAs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Insurance Underwriters are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $51,600 per year nationally.
How much can senior Insurance Underwriter in Los Angeles, CAs professionals earn?
Senior Insurance Underwriters estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $104,800 per year nationally.
Does location affect Insurance Underwriter in Los Angeles, CAs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Insurance Underwriter in Los Angeles, CAs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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