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The differences between mortgage originators 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 mortgage originator and a mortgage underwriter. Additionally, a mortgage underwriter has an average salary of $55,721, which is higher than the $31,380 average annual salary of a mortgage originator.
The top three skills for a mortgage originator include customer service, origination and bank products. The most important skills for a mortgage underwriter are customer service, work ethic, and FHA.
| Mortgage Originator | Mortgage Underwriter | |
| Yearly salary | $31,380 | $55,721 |
| Hourly rate | $15.09 | $26.79 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 11,164 | 9,260 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A Mortgage Originator is someone who will work with a borrower to process and complete a home loan application. They work closely with loan processors and underwriters to collect the required documentation until it is approved. Mortgage Origniators are responsible for guiding clients through the approval stage by assisting them with the paperwork, determining the loan amount, and taking and verifying documentation. They guide borrowers in deciding which mortgage type is right for them.
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.
Mortgage originators and mortgage underwriters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mortgage Originator | Mortgage Underwriter | |
| Average salary | $31,380 | $55,721 |
| Salary range | Between $16,000 And $57,000 | Between $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 |
There are a few differences between a mortgage originator and a mortgage underwriter in terms of educational background:
| Mortgage Originator | Mortgage Underwriter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between mortgage originators' and mortgage underwriters' demographics:
| Mortgage Originator | Mortgage Underwriter | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.2% Female, 43.8% | Male, 39.3% Female, 60.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.1% White, 63.5% 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 Percentage | 8% | 8% |