Risk Management Degree Programs in Birmingham, AL (2026)
Quick answer: The Birmingham metro employs about 640 insurance underwriters (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state insurance department for licensing rules if you plan to sell insurance.
Compare risk management programs enrolling now:
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Risk management itself is not licensed. Selling insurance requires a state license the degree does not confer, and voluntary industry designations exist for underwriting and enterprise risk roles; employers genuinely vary in the weight they give them.
See the Alabama licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state insurance department for licensing rules if you plan to sell insurance.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Insurance Underwriters Earn in Birmingham
Insurance Underwriters in the Birmingham area earn a median $66,000 per year, below the national median of $81,370 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Risk Management Pay in Birmingham, AL
| Metric | Birmingham metro | Alabama | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $66,000 | $62,220 | $81,370 |
| 10th percentile | $47,540 | $43,540 | $55,530 |
| 25th percentile | $56,030 | $54,400 | $64,620 |
| 75th percentile | $101,820 | $98,450 | $110,390 |
| 90th percentile | $130,090 | $129,600 | $145,160 |
| Employment | 640 | 1,540 | 105,420 |
| Location quotient | 1.81 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Birmingham, AL metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Birmingham median of $66,000 is below the national median of $81,370, and above the Alabama statewide median of $62,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 1.81 means insurance underwriters are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Risk and underwriting employment concentrates in insurance-industry hubs and around corporate headquarters and financial centers.
Other Alabama Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery | $57,400 | 200 |
| Mobile | $56,660 | 130 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do insurance underwriters make in Birmingham?
The median annual wage for insurance underwriters in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $66,000, below the national median of $81,370 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many insurance underwriters work in the Birmingham area?
The Birmingham, AL metro area employs about 640 insurance underwriters (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do insurance underwriters in Birmingham need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Risk management itself is not licensed. Selling insurance requires a state license the degree does not confer, and voluntary industry designations exist for underwriting and enterprise risk roles; employers genuinely vary in the weight they give them. Confirm current requirements with your state insurance department for licensing rules if you plan to sell insurance.
Can I study risk management online from Birmingham?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state insurance department for licensing rules if you plan to sell insurance.
Is Birmingham a better market than the rest of Alabama?
The Birmingham metro median is $66,000 against a statewide median of $62,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Risk Management degree programs in Alabama - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Risk Management programs and how to choose one
- Bookkeeper career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Insurance Underwriters (SOC 13-2053), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.