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Underwriting technician vs commercial underwriter

The differences between underwriting technicians and commercial underwriters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a commercial underwriter has an average salary of $59,051, which is higher than the $44,704 average annual salary of an underwriting technician.

The top three skills for an underwriting technician include cancellations, insurance policies and data entry. The most important skills for a commercial underwriter are real estate, customer service, and financial analysis.

Underwriting technician vs commercial underwriter overview

Underwriting TechnicianCommercial Underwriter
Yearly salary$44,704$59,051
Hourly rate$21.49$28.39
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs8,61531,908
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does an underwriting technician do?

Underwriting technicians may also be known as underwriters or underwriting assistants. They determine which customers qualify for various insurance policies or loans. Their duties include finding information, writing quote letters, checking customer eligibility, and arranging loans. They are expected to carry out background checks and credit history checks for clients seeking insurance. They diligently analyze applications of clients based on certain criteria.

What does a commercial underwriter do?

A commercial underwriter is responsible for processing commercial loan applications, evaluating payment agreements and terms of service, validating customers' information, and requesting additional documents as needed. Commercial underwriters analyze the credit qualifications of an applicant, including financial history, account statements, and outstanding loan applications, if any. They identify potential credit risks for the loan request and advice the applicants for alternative loan options according to their needs and qualifications. A commercial underwriter responds to the applicants' inquiries and concerns regarding their loan applications and provides timely decisions for their requests.

Underwriting technician vs commercial underwriter salary

Underwriting technicians and commercial underwriters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Underwriting TechnicianCommercial Underwriter
Average salary$44,704$59,051
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $69,000Between $41,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-Olympia, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-J.P. Morgan
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between underwriting technician and commercial underwriter education

There are a few differences between an underwriting technician and a commercial underwriter in terms of educational background:

Underwriting TechnicianCommercial Underwriter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Underwriting technician vs commercial underwriter demographics

Here are the differences between underwriting technicians' and commercial underwriters' demographics:

Underwriting TechnicianCommercial Underwriter
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 25.2% Female, 74.8%Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 73.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 5.5% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between underwriting technician and commercial underwriter duties and responsibilities

Underwriting technician example responsibilities.

  • Generate business leads by promoting AIG's products and servicing.
  • Assist underwriters in expediting new business, processing endorsements and/or modifying existing policies while achieving broker relationships.
  • Work directly with independent agents and BCBS marketing department to analyze information and make eligibility decisions with strict timelines.
  • Order and code clues and MVRs for renewing umbrella policies.
  • Train staff members on the MMS system.
  • Evaluate new and renewal submissions as delegated by underwriters for prescribe criteria and clearance into AS400 invoicing system.

Commercial underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Handle new and renewal multi-line policies.
  • Quoted new business and handle multi-line commercial accounts for this retailer.
  • Front office administration; maintain A/R and A/P for 1000+ commercial lines clients and 2000+ personal lines clients.
  • Market banking services to individuals, as well as to small businesses and corporations through networking and cross-selling.
  • Update loan origination systems to ensure that pipeline reports reflect the most current status for active loan in process.
  • Work along with the owner and accounting staff on all financial matters, A/R, A/P, payroll, and taxes.
  • Show more

Underwriting technician vs commercial underwriter skills

Common underwriting technician skills
  • Cancellations, 17%
  • Insurance Policies, 10%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 7%
  • Underwriting Analysis, 6%
  • Worksheets, 4%
Common commercial underwriter skills
  • Real Estate, 10%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Financial Analysis, 8%
  • Credit Analysis, 6%
  • Cash Flow, 4%
  • Risk Management, 4%

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