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Surety Underwriter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Commercial Surety Underwriter

Anaheim, CA · On-site +1

$55K - $120K/yr

IAT Insurance Group is seeking a highly skilled Commercial Surety Underwriter to join our team in Anaheim, California. For the ideal candidate, we are open to remote work from Washington or Oregon ...

Underwrite contract surety bonds in conformance with Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Surety Group underwriting guidelines to determine if they meet risk acceptability standards and the strategy of the ...

Underwrite contract surety bonds in conformance with Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Surety Group underwriting guidelines to determine if they meet risk acceptability standards and the strategy of the ...

Underwriter, Surety

Whitehouse Station, NJ · On-site +1

$82K - $118K/yr

Chubb Surety is seeking a detail-oriented Surety Underwriter to join our Home Office middle market construction group team. This role is responsible for executing underwriting strategies, ensuring ...

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Surety Underwriter information

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$557

$673

$759

How much do surety underwriter jobs pay per week?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average weekly pay for surety underwriter in the United States is $673.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $625.00 and $721.15 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is surety underwriting a good career?

Surety underwriting is a stable career that involves evaluating and approving bond applications for construction, licensing, and other industries. It requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of insurance and financial principles, and often offers opportunities for advancement and professional certification. The role typically involves office work with regular hours and a focus on risk assessment.

What does a surety underwriter do?

A surety underwriter evaluates the risk of providing surety bonds, which guarantee the completion of projects or obligations. They review applicant financials, project details, and industry standards to determine bond terms and pricing, often using specialized software and requiring industry certifications. Their work helps ensure that bonds are issued responsibly and that obligations are met.

What are some common challenges faced by Surety Underwriters, and how can they be addressed?

Surety Underwriters often face the challenge of assessing the risk of unique or complex projects, especially when clients have limited credit history or operate in volatile industries. Balancing the need to support clients with prudent risk management requires strong analytical skills and sound judgment. Collaboration with agents, legal teams, and clients is critical to gather accurate information and construct tailored solutions. Staying updated on industry trends and regulatory requirements also helps underwriters navigate evolving risks and make informed decisions.

What are the 3 C's of surety underwriting?

The 3 C's of surety underwriting are Character, Capacity, and Collateral. Character assesses the applicant's integrity and reputation, Capacity evaluates their ability to fulfill contractual obligations, and Collateral considers the security provided to support the bond. These factors help underwriters determine the risk level when issuing surety bonds.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Surety Underwriter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Surety Underwriter, you need a solid understanding of finance, risk analysis, and underwriting principles, often supported by a bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field. Familiarity with industry tools like underwriting software, financial statement analysis systems, and relevant certifications such as AFSB (Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding) is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, negotiation skills, and effective communication are essential soft skills for building client relationships and making sound judgments. These competencies are crucial for accurately assessing risk, ensuring profitable decisions, and maintaining trust with clients and stakeholders.

What is the highest paying underwriting job?

Senior or executive-level surety underwriters, such as Chief Underwriters or Underwriting Managers, tend to have the highest salaries in the underwriting field. These roles often require extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities, resulting in higher compensation compared to entry- or mid-level underwriters.

What is the difference between Surety Underwriter vs Claims Adjuster?

AspectSurety UnderwriterClaims Adjuster
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in finance, insurance, or related field; certifications like CPCU or ARM are commonRequires a bachelor's degree; certifications like AIC or CPCU are advantageous
Work EnvironmentWorks in insurance or surety companies, assessing bond applications and riskWorks in insurance companies, investigating and settling claims
Industry UsagePrimarily in surety and bonding industryPrimarily in property and casualty insurance

While both roles involve risk assessment and require similar credentials, Surety Underwriters focus on evaluating bond applications and underwriting risks in the surety industry. Claims Adjusters handle claims after losses occur, focusing on settlement and investigation. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and employer expectations in the insurance industry.

What is a Surety Underwriter?

A Surety Underwriter is a professional who evaluates and assesses the risk involved in issuing surety bonds, which are financial guarantees that ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled. They analyze applicants’ financial statements, credit reports, and business operations to determine the likelihood that obligations will be met. Based on their analysis, they decide whether to approve bond applications and on what terms. Surety underwriters play a critical role in industries like construction, where bonds are often required for projects. Their decisions help protect both the obligee (the party requiring the bond) and the surety company from financial loss.
More about Surety Underwriter jobs
What cities are hiring for Surety Underwriter jobs? Cities with the most Surety Underwriter job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Surety Underwriter jobs? The most popular types of Surety Underwriter jobs are:
What states have the most Surety Underwriter jobs? States with the most job openings for Surety Underwriter jobs include:
Infographic showing various Surety Underwriter job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 66% Physical, 13% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,000 per year, or $16.8 per hour.
Senior Surety Underwriter - Large Commercial

Senior Surety Underwriter - Large Commercial

Liberty Mutual

Chicago, IL • Hybrid

$76K - $197K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Liberty Mutual rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 140 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 261 rated insurance


Job description

Liberty Mutual Surety™ is currently recruiting for a Senior Surety Underwriter to join our Large Commercial Chicago team.

As a Surety Underwriter you will develop and underwrite profitable surety business, and service independent agents, brokers, and commercial accounts within an assigned territory. Using your excellent relationship skills, you will build and maintain positive partnerships our agents, brokers, and accounts as a trusted advisor and underwriting resource for our producers and customers. You will also use your business and financial acumen to perform primary credit underwriting and financial/risk analysis, provide recommendations, and make decisions on new and existing accounts. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and self-motivated surety professional looking to grow their career with a top surety company that focuses on its employees and customers first.

Liberty Mutual Surety, a business unit of Liberty Mutual Insurance, is the world’s largest globally Surety, including in the United States. Conducting business worldwide through fronting relationships and Liberty-owned subsidiaries, we provide bonds in over 60 countries for construction firms, manufacturers and suppliers, and commercial enterprises on an account and transactional basis. We are committed to building mutually profitable relationships by providing smart business solutions, ease of doing business, and consistent, responsive service.  Liberty Mutual Surety is dedicated to the communities we serve and highly values a diverse workforce in more than 18 countries.

 Responsibilities: 

  • Underwrite and negotiate accounts to maximize profitability whilst minimizing risk, which may include the most complex accounts based on level of role.   Makes thorough evaluations and assessments of a customer’s financial, technical, organizational, and management capacities, including experience, desired objectives as well as a subjective judgment of character.
  • Manage the profitability and retention of an assigned book of business while continue to develop the portfolio through strong relationships and active engagement with new and existing agents and brokers. May assist in developing the marketing plan. 
  • Performs analytical evaluations of financial statements on both a static and trend basis. Determines the present and historical financial position of accounts and monitors financial position of risk through analysis of quarterly statements and work in progress data as appropriate.
  • Stay abreast of Liberty Mutual Surety and Global Risk Solutions product lines and identify/promote opportunities across with agents and brokers, leveraging domestic and global capabilities.
  • Responsible for investigation, analyzing, and managing all necessary underwriting/accounting/workflow issues, within framework of Surety policies and procedures.
  • May assess and identify changes in all aspects of the business including, but not limited to, work program to financial strength criteria, nature of work performed (inherent risk), accuracy and timeliness of data flow, and exposure analyses.  Coordinate and surface issues to Home Office Underwriters and Field Management.
  • Assists in the evaluation of business continuity arrangements and funding mechanisms (such as adequacy of life insurance) to preclude financial drain of customer in the event of the demise of (an) owner or other insurable loss.
  • May mentor more junior staff based on level.
  • Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

The selected candidate will work a hybrid schedule with two days/week in the Downtown Chicago office. This policy is subject to change. 


  • Degree in Business or equivalent typically required
  • A minimum of 2.5 years, typically 3 or more years, of surety UW experience and/or other related experience
  • Proven analytical ability to evaluate and judge underwriting risks within scope of responsibility that includes competence with all phases and aspects of the underwriting process and proficiency in the use of qualitative and quantitative tools and techniques
  • Must demonstrate comprehension of complex technical underwriting issues and be capable of defining and implementing necessary underwriting and administrative processes/workflows to properly manage or administer those issues
  • Proven track record of developing and underwriting profitable Surety business

Pay Philosophy: The typical starting salary range for this role is determined by a number of factors including skills, experience, education, certifications and location. The full salary range for this role reflects the competitive labor market value for all employees in these positions across the national market and provides an opportunity to progress as employees grow and develop within the role. Some roles at Liberty Mutual have a corresponding compensation plan which may include commission and/or bonus earnings at rates that vary based on multiple factors set forth in the compensation plan for the role.
At Liberty Mutual, our goal is to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and can thrive. We build an environment that welcomes a wide range of perspectives and experiences, with inclusion embedded in every aspect of our culture and reflected in everyday interactions. This comes to life through comprehensive benefits, workplace flexibility, professional development opportunities, and a host of opportunities provided through our Employee Resource Groups. Each employee plays a role in creating our inclusive culture, which supports every individual to do their best work. Together, we cultivate a community where everyone can make a meaningful impact for our business, our customers, and the communities we serve.
We value your hard work, integrity and commitment to make things better, and we put people first by offering you benefits that support your life and well-being. To learn more about our benefit offerings please visit: https://www.libertymutualgroup.com/about-lm/careers/benefits
Liberty Mutual is an equal opportunity employer. We will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran's status, pregnancy, genetic information or on any basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
Fair Chance Notices

  • California
  • Los Angeles Incorporated
  • Los Angeles Unincorporated
  • Philadelphia
  • San Francisco

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About Liberty Mutual

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Since 1912, we've grown into the fifth largest global property and casualty insurer based on 2022 gross written premium. We also rank 86 on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the US based on 2022 revenue. ​At Liberty Mutual Insurance we work hard every day to support our customers and our people, so they can protect their families, build their businesses and invest in their futures. We are headquartered in Boston, but our people, our customers and our reach span the globe. So to better serve our global customers and employees, we are organized into three business units.

Industry

Insurance services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Boston, MA, US

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