Underwriter Salary in Houston, TX (2026)
Median Underwriter salary in Houston is approximately $81,600/year — 4.0% below the US national average.
Salary breakdown — Houston
After-tax estimate
| City | Cost mult. | Estimated annual | vs Houston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth, TX | 0.96× | $81,600 | +$0 |
| Tucson, AZ | 0.96× | $81,600 | +$0 |
| Glendale, AZ | 0.96× | $81,600 | +$0 |
| Garland, TX | 0.96× | $81,600 | +$0 |
| Spokane, WA | 0.96× | $81,600 | +$0 |
Underwriter salaries in Houston, TX
The estimated median Underwriter salary in Houston, Texas is $81,600/year, working out to approximately $39/hour at full-time, $3,138 per biweekly paycheck, or $6,800/month before taxes. Houston's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.96× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.
Take-home pay in Houston
Of the gross $81,600, you take home roughly $63,934 after:
- Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
- FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
- Texas state income tax (none)
- Houston has no local income tax
That works out to about $5,328/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 Houston 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 Houston pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
- Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Houston 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 Houston employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.
Related calculators
Underwriter Salary in Texas — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Houston Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.