Post job

Loan adviser vs mortgage underwriter

The differences between loan advisers and mortgage underwriters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a loan adviser and a mortgage underwriter. Additionally, a mortgage underwriter has an average salary of $55,721, which is higher than the $40,365 average annual salary of a loan adviser.

The top three skills for a loan adviser include customer service, origination and mortgage loans. The most important skills for a mortgage underwriter are customer service, work ethic, and FHA.

Loan adviser vs mortgage underwriter overview

Loan AdviserMortgage Underwriter
Yearly salary$40,365$55,721
Hourly rate$19.41$26.79
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs24,1899,260
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a loan adviser do?

A loan adviser evaluates and assesses mortgage applications to ensure that the client is capable and capacitated to pay their finances and obligations. They conduct one on one interviews with the client, verifies the documents presented, and handles the approval process. They can often be seen in a bank or a credit institution that gives support to the clients and borrowers. This career is considered a vital part of a bank as it determines the possible increase of a company's profit by their loan programs.

What does a mortgage underwriter do?

A mortgage underwriter is responsible for reviewing mortgage loan applications and deciding on its approval or rejection by evaluating the submitted documents and the applicant's eligibility. Mortgage underwriters create assessment reports, research on the applicant's credit score, analyze potential loan risk, and request for additional documentation as needed. A mortgage underwriter must have extensive knowledge of the loan disciplines and processes, including its legislative procedures and regulations, to provide accurate decisions or discuss necessary findings to the loan officer for advice.

Loan adviser vs mortgage underwriter salary

Loan advisers and mortgage underwriters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Loan AdviserMortgage Underwriter
Average salary$40,365$55,721
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $56,000Between $38,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New Mexico
Best paying company-CTBC Bank
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between loan adviser and mortgage underwriter education

There are a few differences between a loan adviser and a mortgage underwriter in terms of educational background:

Loan AdviserMortgage Underwriter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Loan adviser vs mortgage underwriter demographics

Here are the differences between loan advisers' and mortgage underwriters' demographics:

Loan AdviserMortgage Underwriter
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 47.7% Female, 52.3%Male, 39.3% Female, 60.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between loan adviser and mortgage underwriter duties and responsibilities

Loan adviser example responsibilities.

  • Manage a multifacete commercial real estate investment firm.
  • Follow the FDCPA, FCRA and TCPA guidelines and is a license collector.
  • Assist future homeowners obtain financing through FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional financing.
  • Handle all calls with due care to ensure proper adherence to FDCPA rules and regulations.
  • Determine financing options for clients, and advise them on a variety of FHA, conventional, and sub-prime mortgages.
  • Communicate to a small team basic loan restructuring possibilities to assist customers in resolving delinquency and avoiding foreclosure.
  • Show more

Mortgage underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Manage AUS findings and analyze approvals and results accordingly.
  • Involve with USDA and NH housing loans.
  • Obtain NMLS license in 2011 and real estate license in 2005.
  • Prepare and respond to compliance HMDA, NMLS, and ECOA relate inquiries.
  • Audit and analyze TIL, GFE and HUD documentation for accuracy to insure compliance.
  • Review MHA and FHA guidelines and calculate proper income to approve or decline loans for a temporary or permanent modification.
  • Show more

Loan adviser vs mortgage underwriter skills

Common loan adviser skills
  • Customer Service, 44%
  • Origination, 14%
  • Mortgage Loans, 7%
  • Loan Process, 5%
  • Automated Underwriting, 4%
  • NMLS, 4%
Common mortgage underwriter skills
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • FHA, 5%
  • Va, 5%
  • Excellent Organizational, 4%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%

Browse business and financial jobs