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Finance · Cleveland, OH

Underwriter Salary in Cleveland, OH (2026)

Median Underwriter salary in Cleveland is approximately $77,400/year — 9.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Cleveland

$77,400
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$37
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$2,977
Monthly
$6,450
Annual (gross)
$77,400
vs Ohio state average
State avg: $77,400
+$0
vs US national
National median: $85,000
-$7,600

After-tax estimate

$54,838
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$77,400
Federal tax (~14%)
−$10,836
FICA (7.65%)
−$5,921
Ohio state tax
~5% effective
−$3,870
Cleveland local tax (2.50%)
−$1,935
Estimated take-home
$54,838
Monthly take-home
$4,570
For exact take-home, use our Cleveland Paycheck Calculator.
Underwriter salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Cleveland
El Paso, TX0.91×$77,400+$0
St. Louis, MO0.91×$77,400+$0
Winston-Salem, NC0.91×$77,400+$0
Columbus, OH0.92×$78,200+$800
Indianapolis, IN0.90×$76,500-$900
Other Finance jobs in Cleveland
Accountant
$71,900/yr
Financial Advisor
$85,500/yr
Bank Teller
$32,800/yr
Bookkeeper
$42,800/yr
Auditor
$72,800/yr

Underwriter salaries in Cleveland, OH

The estimated median Underwriter salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $77,400/year, working out to approximately $37/hour at full-time, $2,977 per biweekly paycheck, or $6,450/month before taxes. Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.91× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Take-home pay in Cleveland

Of the gross $77,400, you take home roughly $54,838 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Ohio state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Cleveland local tax: 2.50% — significant for Cleveland workers

That works out to about $4,570/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Cleveland Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Cleveland pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Cleveland typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Cleveland employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Underwriter Salary in Ohio — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Cleveland Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Underwriter salary in Cleveland?▾
The estimated median Underwriter salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $77,400 per year, or approximately $37/hour at standard full-time. Cleveland sits 9.0% below the US national average for this role.
Cleveland vs Ohio state — what's the salary difference?▾
Cleveland: $77,400. Ohio state average for Underwriter: $77,400. Difference: +$0 (0.0%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Cleveland have a city income tax?▾
Yes — Cleveland levies a local income tax of approximately 2.50% on top of federal and Ohio state taxes. This affects take-home pay calculations significantly.
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?▾
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Cleveland's cost of living relative to the US average. Cleveland's multiplier is 0.91× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Underwriter in Cleveland?▾
Estimate: $54,838/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Ohio state tax (~5.0% effective), and Cleveland local tax (2.50%). For exact numbers, use the Cleveland Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.