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How to hire a loan officer

Loan officer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring loan officers in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a loan officer is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per loan officer on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 239,324 loan officers in the US, and there are currently 63,663 job openings in this field.
  • Charlotte, NC, has the highest demand for loan officers, with 36 job openings.

How to hire a loan officer, step by step

To hire a loan officer, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a loan officer:

Here's a step-by-step loan officer hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a loan officer job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new loan officer
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a loan officer do?

Loan officers are responsible for assisting borrowers on the best type of loans to avail and guiding the clients throughout the application process. A loan officer must be highly knowledgeable about different lending products, payment plans, loan regulations, and essential files for fast loan approval. Loan officers also act as the first point of contact, conducting an initial screening of the customers, process loan contracts and appropriate documentation, update account records, and respond to customer's inquiries. A loan officer also has the right to reject loan applicants who do not meet loan qualifications.

Learn more about the specifics of what a loan officer does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The loan officer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A loan officer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, loan officers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of loan officers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Loan OfficerDescriptionHourly rate
    Loan OfficerLoan officers evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of loan applications for people and businesses.$14-33
    Personal Lines UnderwriterA personal lines underwriter works at insurance companies to ensure that clients are eligible to receive insurance services. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing insurance applications, verifying client information, studying financial histories and occupational risks, and conducting interviews... Show more$20-53
    Mortgage ConsultantA mortgage consultant is a professional who helps customers and businesses identify the best option for mortgage deals based on their financial resources. To maintain an excellent relationship with clients, mortgage consultants must possess a broad knowledge of the company's products to answer all the clients' queries and concerns... Show more$11-30
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • Origination
    • Loan Origination
    • FHA
    • NMLS
    • Loan Products
    • Multifaceted
    • Mortgage Products
    • Financial Services
    • Business Relationships
    • Outbound Calls
    • Loan Programs
    • Strong Customer Service
    • FNMA
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage a multifacete commercial real estate investment firm.
    • Supervise and manage the processing staff and also underwrite conventional loans for correspondent lenders.
    • Follow up leads for refinance loans gather all applications and necessary paperwork to qualify applicants from origination to close of escrow.
    • Analyze available resources to determine suitable mortgage products (FHA, FNMA/FHLC) to meet clients' purchasing or refinancing goals.
    • Originate and process various loan products including government, conventional, portfolio, construction, USDA mortgages, home equity line/loans.
    • Originate FHA, VA, conventional, jumbo, and USDA loans, according to specific lender guidelines in broker environment.
    More loan officer duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your loan officer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A loan officer can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, loan officers' average salary in idaho is 46% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level loan officers 57% less than senior-level loan officers.
    • Certifications. A loan officer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a loan officer's salary.

    Average loan officer salary

    $45,817yearly

    $22.03 hourly rate

    Entry-level loan officer salary
    $30,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 17, 2026

    Average loan officer salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$59,863$29
    2North Carolina$57,614$28
    3Maryland$55,533$27
    4Massachusetts$54,738$26
    5Pennsylvania$54,599$26
    6Hawaii$52,416$25
    7Missouri$52,331$25
    8District of Columbia$50,984$25
    9Texas$50,883$24
    10Michigan$50,069$24
    11Minnesota$49,582$24
    12Wisconsin$48,904$24
    13Florida$47,733$23
    14California$47,465$23
    15Ohio$46,954$23
    16Oregon$46,745$22
    17Washington$44,644$21
    18Indiana$44,604$21
    19Georgia$43,808$21
    20Illinois$41,977$20

    Average loan officer salary by company

  4. Writing a loan officer job description

    A good loan officer job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a loan officer job description:

    Loan officer job description example

    Overview

    This is a full-time commissioned position based out of our 1501 North Broad Street location in Philadelphia, PA.

    Embraces, promotes, and is accountable for delivering, Fulton Financial Corporation's superior customer service. Solicits first mortgages through contacts with realtors, builders, and developers. Works with customers and prospective customers to assist in identifying and securing a mortgage loan that is appropriate for their individual financial circumstances and goals.. This is an entry level role that combines formal classroom training, on-the-job training and mentorship over a twelve month period.

    Responsibilities
    • Successfully completes all mortgage training required for this position. This includes in house classroom, on the job, external, and any state or national training necessary to earn and maintain mortgage lending authority. Over time, becomes a proficient on the various mortgage products offered and how they each best satisfy a customer's financial needs. Adhere to and fully comply with any and all policies and procedures related to internal and external rules and regulations.
    • Teams with a Mentor to execute assigned and self-created mortgage marketing plans to meet or exceed mortgage production goals. Develops and expands referral sources in order to solicit first mortgages. Establishes and maintains regular contact with Realtors in their offices and on site at open house events. Meets with builders on job sites to discuss lending options related to clients they have building homes. Regularly seeks opportunities to meet with developers. Participates in building trade shows and events related to real estate where relationships can be built and those already established can continue to grow.
    • After necessary training, collects and analyzes applicant financial information to assess the financial circumstances anddetermine whether the applicant and the property qualify for a particular loan. Interviews applicants and provides required information for the mortgage product. This includes income, assets, investments, debt, credit history, prior bankruptcies, judgments, and liens, as well as characteristics of property and similar information. Identifies customer's needs in conjunction with customer's financial situation and evaluates those needs in relation to available financial products. Recommends the financial product(s) which best meet the customer's specific needs after advising customer about the risks and benefits of the loan alternatives, including the options and advantages involved. Recommends terms and conditions of mortgage loans.
    • Engages in customer-specific education and persuasive sales activity to encourage business with Company and cross promotes other services and financial products of Company to outside referral sources.
    • Performs work related to the loans the incumbent and/or Mentor originates. Obtains and analyzes pertinent financial and credit data. Follows current loans to ensure conformity with terms. Follows up with customers and prospective customers via telephone and e-mail communication. Completes paperwork related to the loans originated. Prepares materials needed to support incumbent's loan activities. Attends company meetings as necessary. Ensures loan originations are in accordance with regulatory compliance. Ensures documentation is completed in accordance with regulatory compliance. Communicates with the customer throughout the process on an ongoing basis to ensure the customer understands the process.
    Qualifications

    Required Education

    High School Diploma or equivalent

    Required Experience

    1 or more years Prior experience and proven success in sales and client service preferably in a financial industry position. A Bachelor's degree or higher will be accepted in lieu of experience.

    1 or more years Excellent phone skills and ability to speak professionally with customers. Positive attitude and lots of energy.

    1 or more years Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. Organizational skills and effective time management are necessary in this semi-autonomous, fast paced environment.

    Preferred Experience

    1 or more years Experience in residential lending with a solid knowledge of the local market and regulations

    Fluency in Spanish

    Required Certifications

    Must be SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act compliant within 30 days of employment in this role, including new or transfer of registration, and applicable NMLS background check.

    This role may perform other job duties as assigned by the manager. Each employee of the Organization, regardless of position, is accountable for reading, understanding and acting on the contents of all Company-assigned and/or job related Compliance Programs, regulations and policies and procedures, as well as ensure that all Compliance Training assignments are completed by established due dates. This includes but is not limited to, understanding and identifying compliance risks impacting their department(s), ensuring compliance with applicable laws or regulations, and escalating compliance risks to the appropriate level of management. Sponsorship Statement As a condition of employment, individuals must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for a work visa by Fulton Bank currently or in the future. EEO Statement Fulton Bank (“Fulton”) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons. Fulton will recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, gender, gender identity, age, genetic information, marital status, disability, covered veteran status, or any other legally protected status. NMLS

    This position may require incumbent to be registered in the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry. Incumbents who are required to register will be notified in writing.

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  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right loan officer for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your loan officer job on Zippia to find and attract quality loan officer candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as efinancialcareers, financialjobsweb.com, careerbank, financial job bank.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with loan officer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new loan officer

    Once you have selected a candidate for the loan officer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new loan officer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a loan officer?

Hiring a loan officer comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting loan officers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of loan officer recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $45,817 per year for a loan officer, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for loan officers in the US typically range between $14 and $33 an hour.

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