Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalaryResumeSkillsWhat They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesRemote JobsJob Outlook

Compare

FAQsPart Time jobsEntry Level jobsFull Time jobsWork From Home jobsLocations

Underwriter vs adjuster

The differences between underwriters and adjusters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an underwriter has an average salary of $61,751, which is higher than the $49,396 average annual salary of an adjuster.

The top three skills for an underwriter include customer service, investor guidelines and mortgage loans. The most important skills for an adjuster are customer service, strong customer service, and litigation.

Underwriter vs adjuster overview

UnderwriterAdjuster
Yearly salary$61,751$49,396
Hourly rate$29.69$23.75
Growth rate-4%-6%
Number of jobs8,5107,936
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4444
Years of experience-4

What does an underwriter do?

An underwriter's duties depend on the line of work or industry involved, such as mortgage companies, insurance, or lending firms. However, an Underwriter's responsibility will mainly revolve around using their extensive expertise on how a company will achieve financial gains, and assessing the possible financial risks of a client by reviewing various aspects to determine their capacity to uphold monetary obligations. Most of the time, the Underwriter's tasks will also involve evaluating a client's credit history, health, assets, overall financial history.

What does an adjuster do?

An adjuster is responsible for evaluating the extent of loss in the company by calculating the damage costs, determining the settlement payment to the client, and managing the reputation of the company for claims accountability. Adjusters must have extensive knowledge of the insurance principles and processes, following the state and federal regulations to protect clients and the business from insurance fraud. They collect documents from different organizations, perform field research, and interview witnesses to verify the accuracy of claims statement.

Underwriter vs adjuster salary

Underwriters and adjusters have different pay scales, as shown below.

UnderwriterAdjuster
Average salary$61,751$49,396
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $96,000Between $35,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAParsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew Jersey
Best paying companyGoogleFCCI
Best paying industryManufacturingInsurance

Differences between underwriter and adjuster education

There are a few differences between an underwriter and an adjuster in terms of educational background:

UnderwriterAdjuster
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Underwriter vs adjuster demographics

Here are the differences between underwriters' and adjusters' demographics:

UnderwriterAdjuster
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 72.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%10%

Differences between underwriter and adjuster duties and responsibilities

Underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Attain Jr. underwriter status and AUS underwriting authority.
  • Manage AUS findings and analyze approvals and results accordingly.
  • Complete initial review of appraisals, borrower credit documents, and DU/LP findings according to Fannie Mae and investor guidelines.
  • Research and develop SBA program.
  • Work on project putting together HPR policy.
  • Resolve issues preventing final disposition of REO properties.
    • Show more

Adjuster example responsibilities.

  • Manage strict confidentiality of documents and comply with HIPAA regulations stipulate by the facility and government.
  • Review evidence obtain in liability investigations to evaluate a claim for success in recovery through litigation or arbitration.
  • Document measurements and relevant data to author estimates and appraisals utilizing Xactimate 28software.
  • Charge with answering and defending policy holders and company interests through independent and binding third-party arbitration proceedings.
  • Review departmental reports and financial data; prepare reports of findings, negotiating settlement demands or recommending litigation.
  • Prepare computerize estimates utilizing Xactimate and document all activity associate with the claim in clients web base claims management system.
    • Show more

Underwriter vs adjuster skills

Common underwriter skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Investor Guidelines, 6%
  • Mortgage Loans, 5%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 5%
  • Financial Statements, 4%
  • FHA, 3%
Common adjuster skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Strong Customer Service, 7%
  • Litigation, 7%
  • Liability Claims, 6%
  • Policy Coverage, 6%
  • Insurance Claims, 4%

Underwriter vs. similar jobs

Underwriter related careers

Underwriter related jobs

Underwriter jobs by location

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs