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How to hire an underwriting specialist

Underwriting specialist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring underwriting specialists in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire an underwriting specialist is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per underwriting specialist on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 4,123 underwriting specialists in the US, and there are currently 25,164 job openings in this field.
  • Chicago, IL, has the highest demand for underwriting specialists, with 21 job openings.

How to hire an underwriting specialist, step by step

To hire an underwriting specialist, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire an underwriting specialist:

Here's a step-by-step underwriting specialist hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an underwriting specialist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new underwriting specialist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an underwriting specialist do?

An underwriting specialist is responsible for reviewing clients' applications in availing financial services and determining their eligibility by analyzing credit scores and risk potential. Underwriting specialists record all necessary information and may ask for additional requirements for further investigation. They assess policy applications and implement terms and conditions upon approval and ensure that the clients understood the process to prevent miscommunication and payment delays. An underwriting specialist must have extensive knowledge of the loan and insurance disciplines to identify coverage and limitations for efficient contract negotiations.

Learn more about the specifics of what an underwriting specialist does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The underwriting specialist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    An underwriting specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, underwriting specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list shows salaries for various types of underwriting specialists.

    Type of Underwriting SpecialistDescriptionHourly rate
    Underwriting SpecialistInsurance underwriters decide whether to provide insurance and under what terms. They evaluate insurance applications and determine coverage amounts and premiums.$18-48
    CloserThe duties of a closer depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to ensure that they understand and adhere to all terms of the agreement, completing all requirements and necessary documents, and maintaining records of all transactions... Show more$9-19
    Mortgage BankerA Mortgage Banker is specialized in offering financing to buy homes or refinance previous mortgages. They work as part of a banks loan department.$4-37
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • Underwriting Guidelines
    • Financial Statements
    • Underwriting Process
    • Life Insurance
    • Loss Control
    • Insurance Products
    • Underwriting Decisions
    • Appeals
    • Renewal Accounts
    • General Liability
    • Profitable Growth
    • Data Entry
    • Commercial Property
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Risk assessment to achieve profitability on assign book of business through renewal calculations and RFP responses.
    • Manage the execution of underwriting, portfolio analysis and account- base decision making in accordance with establish guidelines and processes.
    • Work closely with post-closing on VA deficiency response and actions, in addition to HUD & FNMA.
    • Analyze risk and apply underwriting guidelines to decision loan applications and grow profitable loan portfolio.
    • Underwrite PPO, EPO, HMO, POS and other health benefits.
    • Mentore, and utilize strong negotiation skills working with diverse group of associates.
    More underwriting specialist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the underwriting specialist job description is a good way to get more applicants. An underwriting specialist salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for an underwriting specialist in Louisiana may be lower than in Massachusetts, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level underwriting specialist. Additionally, an underwriting specialist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average underwriting specialist salary

    $63,325yearly

    $30.44 hourly rate

    Entry-level underwriting specialist salary
    $39,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025

    Average underwriting specialist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Massachusetts$98,387$47
    2New York$88,717$43
    3California$84,338$41
    4Connecticut$81,298$39
    5District of Columbia$76,191$37
    6Illinois$72,357$35
    7Pennsylvania$72,329$35
    8Delaware$71,462$34
    9Indiana$68,735$33
    10Arizona$66,248$32
    11Colorado$65,952$32
    12Wisconsin$65,624$32
    13Texas$64,920$31
    14Rhode Island$64,380$31
    15New Jersey$64,004$31
    16Georgia$63,479$31
    17Michigan$63,241$30
    18North Carolina$63,215$30
    19Kansas$62,997$30
    20Washington$62,899$30

    Average underwriting specialist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1AIG$106,241$51.0868
    2Citi$105,515$50.735
    3Berkshire Hathaway$97,706$46.9719
    4W. R. Berkley$97,592$46.9265
    5American Family Insurance$87,544$42.091
    6BERKLEY TECHNOLOGY SERVICES$85,473$41.09143
    7The General$82,874$39.84
    8BCforward$82,324$39.583
    9Markel$80,228$38.57105
    10Philadelphia Insurance Companies$79,347$38.154
    11Nationwide$77,252$37.1425
    12Liberty Mutual Insurance$77,169$37.10140
    13Allianz of America, Inc.$77,016$37.03
    14James River Group$76,606$36.838
    15Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.$76,534$36.802
    16James River Ins$76,024$36.551
    17Versapay$75,866$36.47
    18CNA Holding Corporation$75,837$36.4643
    19The Independent Traveler$75,812$36.4521
    20The Jonus Group$75,150$36.1323
  4. Writing an underwriting specialist job description

    An underwriting specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an underwriting specialist job description:

    Underwriting specialist job description example



    Responsibilities:

    • Develops and recommends underwriting solutions when confronted with complex and unusual risks or unacceptable exposures. Solutions may require a departure from current guidelines.
    • Works with Account Managers to ensure policies, binders, endorsements, and other Underwriting documents are properly prepared and executed. This also includes the analysis and design of manuscript wording that meets the needs of the client and FM Global (uses knowledge of manuscript forms/clauses and market practice).
    • Demonstrates an advanced understanding of the key elements of purchasing reinsurance, program structure, layering and pricing. Effectively uses FM Global’s capacity, including in-house reinsurance facilities, to maximize net and reduce reinsurance cost
    • Provides technical underwriting consulting/mentoring to others to ensure consistently strong profits. Keeps current with market pricing and practices.
    • Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of company underwriting standards, policy forms and coverages, and loss prevention practices. Introduces and provides training to ensure implementation and compliance. Maintains knowledge of current market conditions.
    • Effectively uses interpersonal skills to influence others to help meet corporate objectives.
    • Conducts regular operational underwriting audits that support Corporate and Operations objectives.
    • Participates in special projects to facilitate and assure appropriate implementation of either corporate or operational initiatives, as assigned.
    • Handles accounts and prospects as assigned.
    • Effectively manages significant workload so that assistance/mentoring can be provided to others.
    • Assists in the development and delivery of effective presentations to clients/brokers, management, and others, through analysis of audience, logical flow, and concise communication.
    • Conducts policy reviews


    Qualifications:

    • 4 Year College Degree/Bachelors
    • Minimum 5 years of industry experience with at least 3 years as an Underwriter or equivalent position with FM Global.
    • Strong technical underwriting knowledge, decision making and knowledge of internal IS systems.
    • Advanced proficiencies of Business Communications, Exposure Analysis, Interpersonal Skills, Negotiations, Planning & Organizing, Policy Terms and Conditions, Profitability Analysis and Pricing, program Structure and Linesetting and Underwriting Guidelines.

    We offer our employees a wide range of benefits including career long learning opportunities, tuition reimbursement, 401 (k), pension, flexible schedules, rich health and well-being programs, generous time off allowances, volunteer days and so much more!

    FM Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce.

    Please note that all FM Global visitors, including external candidates interviewing for open positions will be required to be vaccinated and should be prepared to provide proof of vaccination.



  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find underwriting specialists for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your underwriting specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit underwriting specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit underwriting specialists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new underwriting specialist

    Once you've found the underwriting specialist candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new underwriting specialist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire an underwriting specialist?

There are different types of costs for hiring underwriting specialists. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new underwriting specialist employee.

You can expect to pay around $63,325 per year for an underwriting specialist, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for underwriting specialists in the US typically range between $18 and $48 an hour.

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