Insurance Underwriters vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $13,720 more per year than Insurance Underwriters professionals — that's 17.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Insurance Underwriters earns $138,020 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$51,640$138,020
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Insurance Underwriters | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,640 | $66,030 | $-14,390 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,070 | $78,610 | $-15,540 |
| Median (50th) | $79,880 | $93,600 | $-13,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,820 | $107,960 | $-3,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,020 | $135,320 | +$2,700 |
| Mean (Average) | $90,830 | $98,430 | $-7,600 |
Employment Numbers
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Insurance Underwriters or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,720 (17.2% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Insurance Underwriters and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Insurance Underwriters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Insurance Underwriters has a median salary of $79,880 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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