Compliance Officer vs Insurance Underwriter: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Compliance Officer
Ensure the organisation adheres to legal and regulatory requirements.
Insurance Underwriter
Evaluate insurance applications and set policy terms and premiums.
Insurance Underwriter earns more on average — the national median is $640/year (1%) higher than a Compliance Officer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Compliance Officer vs Insurance Underwriter — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Compliance Officer | Insurance Underwriter | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $116,110 | $116,321 | Compliance $211 |
| New York, NY | $95,560 | $97,453 | Compliance $1,893 |
| Seattle, WA | $112,100 | $112,876 | Compliance $776 |
| Austin, TX | $91,160 | $91,022 | Compliance +$138 |
| Chicago, IL | $87,128 | $86,961 | Compliance +$167 |
| Boston, MA | $106,920 | $107,567 | Compliance $647 |
| London, UK | £64,665 | £63,807 | Compliance +$858 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$108,867 | CA$109,558 | Compliance $691 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Compliance Officer or Insurance Underwriter earn more?+
A Insurance Underwriter earns more on average. The national median salary for a Compliance Officer is $80,730/year, compared to $81,370/year for a Insurance Underwriter — a difference of $640 (1%).
Which has better career growth — Compliance Officer or Insurance Underwriter?+
Compliance Officer roles are growing at 18% YoY while Insurance Underwriter demand is growing at 5% YoY. Compliance Officer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Compliance Officer to Insurance Underwriter?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Risk Assessment.
Which is harder to automate — Compliance Officer or Insurance Underwriter?+
Compliance Officer has a lower AI automation risk (55% vs 82%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.