Mortgage Loan Officer Salary in 2026
Mortgage loan officers help borrowers find and secure home loans, evaluating financial qualifications, recommending products, and guiding clients through the lending process.
Median Salary
$66,000
$5,500/mo
Entry Level
$40,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$96,000
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
Mortgage Loan Officer Overview
Mortgage loan officers help borrowers find and secure home loans, evaluating financial qualifications, recommending products, and guiding clients through the lending process.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
330K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$31.73/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,500
Mortgage Loan Officer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Mortgage Loan Officer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Mortgage Loan Officer Salary
$77,000
$6,417/month · $2,962/biweekly · $37.02/hr
Mortgage Loan Officer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Mortgage Loan Officer field.
Entry-level Mortgage Loan Officers earn around $40,000, while the top 10% earn $115,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Mortgage Loan Officers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $78,000 | +$12,000 |
| New York | $76,000 | +$10,000 |
| Virginia | $70,000 | +$4,000 |
| Texas | $65,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $65,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Mortgage Loan Officers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $78,000 | +$12,000 |
| Washington DC | $76,000 | +$10,000 |
| Los Angeles | $74,000 | +$8,000 |
| Miami | $67,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $65,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Mortgage Loan Officer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Mortgage Loan Officer from entry level to expert.
$40,000
0-2 years
$68,000
3-7 years
$96,000
8-14 years
$135,000
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Mortgage Loan Officer Salary FAQ
How much does a Mortgage Loan Officer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Mortgage Loan Officer in the United States is $66,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $40,000, while senior professionals earn up to $96,000. Top earners in the field can make $135,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Mortgage Loan Officer?
A Mortgage Loan Officer typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Mortgage Products, Underwriting, Compliance. Relevant certifications such as NMLS License or State License can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Mortgage Loan Officers?
The job market for Mortgage Loan Officers is projected to grow by 3% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 330K Mortgage Loan Officer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 15%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Mortgage Loan Officers the most?
The highest-paying states for Mortgage Loan Officers include California, Texas, Florida. In California, the median salary is approximately $78,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Mortgage Loan Officer salary?
To increase your Mortgage Loan Officer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Mortgage Products and Underwriting. Pursue certifications such as NMLS License. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $40,000 to $96,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources — Mortgage Loan Officer Salary
How we calculate Mortgage Loan Officer salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $66,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Mortgage Loan Officer in the Finance sector.
- Entry-level ($40,000) and senior-level ($96,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +3% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 330K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Finance sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $66,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Mortgage Loan Officer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Mortgage Loan Officer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Mortgage Loan Officer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Mortgage Products, Underwriting, Compliance), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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