Insurance Underwriters vs Pharmacy Technicians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn $36,420 more per year than Pharmacy Technicians professionals — that's 83.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Insurance Underwriters earns $138,020 compared to $59,450 for Pharmacy Technicians.
Salary Range Comparison
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
Pharmacy Technicians$35,100 – $59,450
$35,100$138,020
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Insurance Underwriters | Pharmacy Technicians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,640 | $35,100 | +$16,540 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,070 | $36,920 | +$26,150 |
| Median (50th) | $79,880 | $43,460 | +$36,420 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,820 | $48,580 | +$56,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,020 | $59,450 | +$78,570 |
| Mean (Average) | $90,830 | $44,800 | +$46,030 |
Employment Numbers
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Pharmacy Technicians
487,920
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 Pharmacy Technicians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $70,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $61,990 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,960 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $55,810 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $54,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Insurance Underwriters or Pharmacy Technicians?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $36,420 (83.8% 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 Pharmacy Technicians?
Pharmacy Technicians salaries range from $35,100 (10th percentile) to $59,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,460.
How many Insurance Underwriters and Pharmacy Technicians jobs are there?
There are approximately 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions and 487,920 Pharmacy Technicians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Pharmacy Technicians to Insurance Underwriters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Insurance Underwriters has a median salary of $79,880 while Pharmacy Technicians earns $43,460. 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