Underwriter Jobs in California

Underwriter jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in insurance carriers, mortgage lending, and commercial real estate finance, with openings from entry-level analyst roles through senior and specialty underwriter positions. The largest hiring hubs are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, where employers like Farmers Insurance, Pacific Mutual, and Wells Fargo maintain substantial underwriting operations. Mortgage, commercial lines, and life and health underwriting are consistently the most in-demand specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Underwriter Jobs

Overview

Open roles82+
Top employerRisksmith Insurance Services
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring24
Work type74% On-site
Top industryInsurance

Showing 5 of 82+ Underwriter jobs

Mercury Insurance Company
Underwriter
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Mercury Insurance Company
Added 2w ago
Underwriter
Mercury Insurance Company
Brea, California
Customer Service & Support
Customer Service
$36k - $78k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Liberty Mutual Insurance
Underwriter
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Liberty Mutual Insurance
Added 3w ago
Underwriter
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Los Angeles, California
Partnerships & Business Development
Sales
Customer Success
Consulting & Professional Services
Business Development
$65k - $168k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Western Alliance Bank
Vice President, Commercial Underwriter
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Western Alliance Bank
Added 5d ago
Vice President, Commercial Underwriter
Western Alliance Bank
Los Angeles, California
$149k - $184k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Bitco Insurance Companies
Associate Underwriter
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Bitco Insurance Companies
Added 5d ago
Associate Underwriter
Bitco Insurance Companies
Pasadena, California
Customer Service & Support
Administrative & Office Support
$70k - $95k/yr
Hybrid
None
201-500

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Newmark
Sr. Conventional Underwriter
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Newmark
Added 6d ago
Sr. Conventional Underwriter
Newmark
Santa Monica, California
Finance
Accounting
Business Analysis
Investment Banking & Capital Markets
$150k - $250k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 82 Underwriter Jobs in California

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Underwriter Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
19 jobs
San Francisco
10 jobs
Walnut Creek
9 jobs
Irvine
8 jobs
San Diego
6 jobs
El Segundo
4 jobs
Brea
3 jobs
Orange
2 jobs
Oxnard
2 jobs

Underwriter Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Risksmith Insurance Services
    Risksmith Insurance Services18
  • Chubb
    Chubb5
  • Great American Insurance
    Great American Insurance5
  • Travelers
    Travelers4

Top Industries Hiring

  • Insurance56
  • Banking & Financial Services15
  • Agriculture & Farming3
  • Technology & Software3
  • Construction & Real Estate2

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in underwriter jobs across California.

  • Active California insurance license or eligibility to obtain one upon hire
  • Bachelor's degree in finance, business, economics, or a related field
  • Experience reviewing and analyzing risk for commercial or personal lines
  • Proficiency with underwriting platforms and policy management systems
  • Strong knowledge of California-specific insurance regulations and compliance requirements
  • Professional designation such as CPCU, AU, or CUL preferred for senior roles

Underwriter Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become an underwriter in California?

Most underwriter roles in California require a bachelor's degree in finance, business, or a related field, plus a California Department of Insurance license for positions that involve binding coverage. Property and casualty underwriters typically need a P&C license, while life and health underwriters need the corresponding California license. Many employers also value professional designations like CPCU or AU, which candidates can pursue through the Institutes while working.

How much do underwriters make in California?

Underwriters in California earn a median of about $95,320 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,070 for the lowest 10% to over $162,640 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire underwriters in California?

Employers hiring underwriters in California right now include Risksmith Insurance Services, Chubb, and Great American Insurance, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large concentration of insurance carriers, regional banks, and mortgage lenders means steady hiring across both commercial and personal lines underwriting functions statewide.

Which California cities have the most underwriter jobs?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek have the most underwriter openings in California. Los Angeles drives volume through its large insurance carrier offices and mortgage market, San Francisco reflects demand from commercial lending and specialty risk in the tech and biotech sectors, and Sacramento is anchored by state agency contractors and mid-size regional insurers headquartered in the capital region.

Are there remote underwriter jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. Underwriting is largely desk-based and document-driven, making it well suited to remote arrangements. About 26% of underwriter openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting a broader industry shift since carriers invested heavily in remote infrastructure. Mortgage and commercial lines underwriting roles tend to have the highest share of fully remote positions.

How can I get hired as an underwriter in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is an underwriting assistant or analyst role, which large California-based carriers like Farmers Insurance and regional mortgage lenders routinely use to develop in-house talent. Candidates moving from adjacent roles such as loan processor, claims adjuster, or insurance customer service representative have a strong conversion rate. Obtaining a California Department of Insurance license before applying, even without industry experience, gives early-career candidates a meaningful edge over unlicensed applicants.

Where can I find and apply to underwriter jobs in California?

You can find and apply to underwriter jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across insurance, mortgage, and commercial lending. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the employer. No profile creation is required to search and apply.

See All 82 Underwriter Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Underwriter Jobs