AI Insurance Underwriting Specialist.
Richmond.
$163,000
median salary, 5% above the national average
$121,000 to $215,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
AI Insurance Underwriting Specialist pay in Richmond ranges from $121,000 to $215,000 in 2026. The median is $163,000, 5% above the national average. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $147,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$106,000
to $130,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$139,000
to $171,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$179,000
to $212,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$204,000
to $253,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $76,000 to the total package.
Base
$163,000
Equity
$46,000
Bonus
$20,000
Signing
$10,000
Estimated total: $239,000
How Richmond compares
Richmond, VA
$163,000
Cost of living: 1% above average
National Average
$155,000
Richmond is $8,000 above
AI Insurance Underwriting Specialist salary by city
Salary by role in Richmond
What you should know
Before you negotiate a AI Insurance Underwriting Specialist offer in Richmond, understand the terrain. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. Capital One's headquarters drives significant fintech employment. The city's proximity to Washington DC creates spillover demand for federal contractors and tech workers seeking lower living costs. Salaries depend on the line of business and company size. Specialists working on commercial and specialty lines earn more than those in personal lines. Actuarial credentials combined with ML skills create a premium. Insurtech startups often pay above traditional carriers.
Junior insurance data scientists start around $90,000. Mid-career AI underwriting specialists earn $140,000 to $170,000. Chief underwriting officers or heads of insurance AI at major carriers reach $230,000 to $300,000 with bonuses. In Richmond, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Insurance industry bonuses range from 10% to 20% of base salary. Insurtech equity can be meaningful at growth-stage companies. Traditional carriers offer strong retirement plans and comprehensive health coverage. And on the tax side: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Richmond has no city income tax. The moderate rate and reasonable cost of living create solid net compensation. When someone quotes you $163,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage DC corridor salary benchmarks. Richmond employers compete with Northern Virginia and DC for talent, especially in fintech and government contracting. The range for AI Insurance Underwriting Specialists in Richmond runs from $121,000 to $215,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A MLOps Engineer in Richmond earns $162,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Richmond is Chief AI Officer at $316,000
Common questions.
AI Insurance Underwriting Specialist salary in other cities
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