Insurance Underwriters vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $71,280 more per year than Insurance Underwriters professionals — that's 89.2% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$51,640$138,020
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Insurance Underwriters | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,640 | $72,780 | $-21,140 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,070 | $99,760 | $-36,690 |
| Median (50th) | $79,880 | $151,160 | $-71,280 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,820 | $215,420 | $-110,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,020 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $90,830 | $182,760 | $-91,930 |
Employment Numbers
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
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 Lawyers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $215,090 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $205,900 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $203,450 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $194,740 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $191,880 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Insurance Underwriters or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $71,280 (89.2% 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 Lawyers?
Lawyers salaries range from $72,780 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $151,160.
How many Insurance Underwriters and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Insurance Underwriters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Insurance Underwriters has a median salary of $79,880 while Lawyers earns $151,160. 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