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What is a loan processor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
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Loan processors are the ones who decide if a client is fit for a loan or not. They link customers and financial institutions and facilitate the evaluation of clients' assets and repayment capacities and the approval or decline of their loan requests.

Loan processors work hand in hand with mortgage brokers and loan officers. They manage the paperwork of the candidate and help to submit the documents.

The median yearly salary of a loan processor is $49,352, which is an amount that probably does not accurately reflect the level of stress they have to deal with every day. Keeping up with new regulations, pressing closing dates, constant status update requests are just a few of the things that make this profession challenging.

ScoreLoan ProcessorUS Average
Salary
3.0

Avg. Salary $38,122

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 7.43%

Black or African American 12.46%

Hispanic or Latino 17.09%

Unknown 4.34%

White 58.28%

Gender

female 79.39%

male 20.61%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Loan processor career paths

Key steps to become a loan processor

  1. Explore loan processor education requirements

    Most common loan processor degrees

    Bachelor's

    46.4 %

    Associate

    22.6 %

    High School Diploma

    19.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific loan processor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Loan Applications22.10%
    Customer Service19.84%
    Property Appraisals5.47%
    Mortgage Loans4.67%
    Credit Reports4.62%
  3. Complete relevant loan processor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New loan processors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a loan processor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real loan processor resumes.
  4. Research loan processor duties and responsibilities

    • Manage a monthly pipeline averaging 100 files from origination to funding per month as a Jr. processor.
    • Review and verify documentation consistent with company policies and compliance of FNMA, FHLMC, FHA/VA, USDA guidelines.
    • Gather all documentation necessary to process mortgage loans in accordance with FNMA and credit union guidelines/requirements.
    • Disclose and re-disclose the LE's and Prelim TRID require CD.
  5. Prepare your loan processor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your loan processor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a loan processor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable loan processor resume templates

    Build a professional loan processor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your loan processor resume.
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  6. Apply for loan processor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a loan processor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first loan processor job

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Average loan processor salary

The average loan processor salary in the United States is $38,122 per year or $18 per hour. Loan processor salaries range between $28,000 and $50,000 per year.

Average loan processor salary
$38,122 Yearly
$18.33 hourly

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How do loan processors rate their job?

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Loan processor reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Pros

Helping People, secure a better financial future

Cons

Having to Decline applicants


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

when a person being assisted to obtain a loan to uplift their lives

Cons

when more loans are deliquent


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

This is a challenging position. It is not a one-size-fits-all job. The nature of your work depends heavily on the loan officer you work under. High-volume is no joke. You'll need to be sharp and focused all-day, every day you come to work.

Cons

It's lots of sitting in a chair. It requires 100% computer time, so you'll need to schedule breaks and get up and walk around intentionally.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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