Career comparison
Insurance Claims Clerk vs. Insurance Underwriter
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Insurance underwriters earn more at the median ($81,370 vs. $49,230), while insurance claims clerks usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Insurance claims clerks process insurance claims and policy changes so customers get paid and covered. Insurance underwriters decide whether to insure people and businesses, and on what terms.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Insurance Claims Clerk | Insurance Underwriter | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $49,230 ($23.67/hr) | $81,370 ($39.12/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,560 – $73,590 | $55,530 – $145,160 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.9% (a projected decline) | -3.8% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 17,500 | 6,800 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | A few months on the job | Moderate on-the-job training |
| Key credential | AINS | CPCU |
| Work setting | Clerks work in insurance company offices and remotely.. | Underwriters work in insurance company offices, and many work remotely.. |
What each job does
Insurance Claims Clerk
- Enter new claims
- Check claims for completeness
- Verify coverage
- Request missing information
- Process policy changes
Insurance Underwriter
- Review applications
- Assess risk
- Set premiums and terms
- Approve or decline coverage
- Work with agents and brokers
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work, remote-friendly work, and working with information. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose insurance claims clerk if…
- I’m accurate
- I like steady work
- I’m patient with customers
Choose insurance underwriter if…
- I like analyzing risk
- I make decisions confidently
- I like rules with judgment
Still torn? Take the Insurance Claims Clerk fit quiz and the Insurance Underwriter fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, insurance claims clerk or insurance underwriter?
Insurance Underwriters earn more at the median: $81,370 versus $49,230 for insurance claims clerks, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Insurance Claims Clerks typically train faster (A few months on the job) than insurance underwriters (Moderate on-the-job training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects insurance claims clerks to grow -1.9% from 2025–35, compared with -3.8% for insurance underwriters.