Cost Estimators vs Insurance Underwriters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn $2,810 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 3.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $138,020 for Insurance Underwriters.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
$46,330$138,020
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Insurance Underwriters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $51,640 | $-5,310 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $63,070 | $-3,240 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $79,880 | $-2,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $104,820 | $-5,190 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $138,020 | $-9,380 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $90,830 | $-7,670 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
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: Cost Estimators or Insurance Underwriters?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,810 (3.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
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 Cost Estimators and Insurance Underwriters jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Underwriters to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 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