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Underwriting Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

navymutual

Director of Underwriting

Arlington, VA · On-site

We are seeking a Director of Underwriting to lead and modernize our Underwriting and New Business functions--driving both operational excellence and a best-in-class member experience. This is a high ...

Manulife

Senior Underwriting Consultant

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$111K - $131K/yr

The Senior Underwriting Consultant is responsible for evaluating applications of the highest financial impact and complexity. The incumbent will analyze decisions without compromising overall ...

Greystone

Senior Underwriting Analyst

Rockville, MD · On-site

We are currently recruiting for a Senior Underwriting Analyst to join our FHA Healthcare platform. Primary Responsibilities and duties: * Input property financial information into Excel financial ...

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All JobsUnderwriting JobsUnderwriting Jobs in Washington

Underwriting information

See Washington salary details

$54.4K

$116.8K

$179.5K

How much do underwriting jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for underwriting in Washington is $116,751.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,200.00 and $137,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is underwriting?

Underwriting is the process by which financial institutions, such as banks or insurance companies, assess the risk and eligibility of a potential client or transaction. Underwriters review applications for loans, insurance policies, or securities to determine if they meet the organization's guidelines and standards. They analyze information such as credit history, financial statements, and other risk factors to make informed decisions. The goal of underwriting is to ensure that the institution takes on acceptable levels of risk while providing financial products or services.

How does an underwriter typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

Underwriters regularly interact with teams such as sales, risk assessment, and claims to ensure accurate evaluation of applications and adherence to company policies. They may consult with sales agents to clarify application details, work with risk analysts to assess complex cases, and communicate with claims departments to review historical claims data. This collaborative approach helps create balanced decisions that protect the company's interests while supporting client needs. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential for underwriters to manage these cross-functional relationships effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an underwriter, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Underwriter, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of risk assessment, typically supported by a degree in finance, business, or a related field. Familiarity with underwriting software, risk modeling tools, and industry certifications such as CPCU or ARM is often required. Effective communication, sound judgment, and decision-making abilities are critical soft skills for collaborating with clients and colleagues. These competencies ensure accurate risk evaluation, contribute to profitable decision-making, and maintain the integrity of the underwriting process.

What is the difference between Underwriting vs Claims Adjuster?

AspectUnderwritingClaims Adjuster
Primary RoleAssessing risk and determining policy termsInvestigating and settling insurance claims
Required CredentialsInsurance licenses, sometimes certifications like CPCUInsurance licenses, sometimes adjuster certifications
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, analytical tasksFieldwork and office work, investigative
Industry UsageInsurance companies, underwriting firmsInsurance companies, third-party claims services

Underwriting and claims adjuster roles both operate within the insurance industry but focus on different stages. Underwriters evaluate risks before policies are issued, while claims adjusters handle claims after incidents occur. Both roles require insurance licenses and analytical skills, but their daily tasks and work environments differ significantly.

Do underwriters earn good money?

Underwriters typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, industry, and location. Entry-level underwriters may start with lower pay, but experienced professionals with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher wages, often supplemented by bonuses and benefits.

Is underwriting a hard career?

Underwriting is a detail-oriented profession that requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of insurance or financial products. It can be challenging due to the need to assess risk accurately and make decisions under pressure, but with training and experience, it becomes more manageable. Success often depends on developing technical skills, understanding industry standards, and obtaining relevant certifications.

What does an underwriting job do?

An underwriting job involves evaluating and assessing the risk of insuring individuals or assets, such as in insurance or lending. Underwriters review applications, analyze financial and personal information, and determine approval, denial, or terms for coverage or loans, often using specialized software and adhering to company guidelines.

What underwriting gets paid the most?

Senior or specialized underwriters, such as those in complex or high-value insurance lines like reinsurance, tend to earn the highest salaries in underwriting. Experience, certifications, and industry sector also influence compensation, with those in leadership roles or working for large firms typically earning more.

What are the most commonly searched types of Underwriting jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Underwriting jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Underwriting jobs in Washington?

For Underwriting jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Underwriting jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Underwriting jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Underwriting jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Underwriting job openings:

Underwriting jobs near you
Infographic showing various Underwriting job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $116,751 per year, or $56.1 per hour.

Director of Underwriting

Arlington, VA • On-site

Navy Mutual Aid Association
Insurance Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Navy Mutual Aid Associationexternal

$165K - $185K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

At Navy Mutual, our mission is rooted in serving members of the uniformed services and their families with financial strength, integrity, and care. We are seeking a Director of Underwriting to lead and modernize our Underwriting and New Business functions-driving both operational excellence and a best-in-class member experience.
This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for translating strategy into scalable, efficient operations while ensuring disciplined risk management, strong compliance, and sustained growth.
What You'll Do
Strategic Leadership & Execution
  • Develop and execute underwriting and new business strategies aligned to organizational goals, risk appetite, and service standards
  • Translate enterprise strategy into disciplined, scalable, and measurable operating practices
  • Lead transformation initiatives to modernize underwriting and new business processes

Operational Excellence
  • Oversee end-to-end new business lifecycle: intake, underwriting, requirements, offers, reconsiderations, and policy activation
  • Optimize workflows, case assignment, and throughput to improve cycle times, productivity, and consistency
  • Establish and monitor service level agreements (SLAs) and performance standards

Underwriting Leadership & Risk Management
  • Provide technical underwriting guidance on complex life insurance risks
  • Ensure decisions are well-documented, compliant, and aligned with mortality expectations and reinsurance requirements
  • Review and approve complex cases within authority and escalate as needed

Transformation & Innovation
  • Lead adoption of automation, accelerated underwriting, and third-party data solutions
  • Evaluate and implement digital tools and workflow enhancements to improve speed and accuracy
  • Advance real-time decisioning capabilities and member experience improvements

Performance & Analytics
  • Develop and monitor KPIs and KRIs, including:
    • Cycle time and throughput
    • Quality and post-issue audit results
    • Requirement aging and placement rates
    • Productivity and vendor performance
  • Identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities; drive corrective action

People Leadership
  • Lead, coach, and develop underwriting and new business teams, including managers and senior technical staff
  • Drive performance management, workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development
  • Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and high performance

Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Collaborate with Sales, Inforce, Claims, Finance, Legal, Compliance, and Technology
  • Partner with reinsurance carriers on complex cases and program optimization
  • Ensure alignment across teams to deliver a seamless, member-first experience

Governance & Compliance
  • Maintain underwriting guidelines, SOPs, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance
  • Support escalations, member complaints, and risk-related reviews (e.g., rescissions, contestable claims)
  • Manage vendor relationships (e.g., medical exams, labs, data providers)

What You Bring
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field
  • 8+ years of life insurance underwriting experience, including complex case review
  • Proven leadership experience managing teams and/or senior technical professionals
  • Deep understanding of:
    • Medical underwriting and terminology
    • Mortality risk assessment
    • Reinsurance practices
  • Experience leading:
    • Process improvement and operational transformation
    • Automation and accelerated underwriting initiatives
    • KPI/KRI development and performance analytics
  • Strong working knowledge of underwriting systems, workflow tools, and policy administration platforms
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills
  • Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, production-driven environment

Preferred Qualifications
  • Professional designations such as CLU, FLMI, ALU, or FALU
  • Experience with vendor management and underwriting data providers
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools

Apply