Post job

Mortgage originator vs real estate agent

The differences between mortgage originators and real estate agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a real estate agent has an average salary of $91,788, 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 real estate agent are customer service, real estate license, and excellent interpersonal.

Mortgage originator vs real estate agent overview

Mortgage OriginatorReal Estate Agent
Yearly salary$31,380$91,788
Hourly rate$15.09$44.13
Growth rate4%5%
Number of jobs11,16441,399
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4549
Years of experience6-

What does a mortgage originator do?

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.

What does a real estate agent do?

A real estate agent helps owners in the selling or renting of houses, land, offices, buildings, or any piece of property. They should be knowledgeable in the area they work in, which local properties are in the market, and the competitive prices for various properties. It is their responsibility to either market or sells in the best possible and reasonable price and conditions. Negotiating is a vital skill for real estate agents as they act as the middleman for buyers and sellers. Most agents bill the client with a percentage of the final sale price as the fee, but some would get a fixed commission for every sale.

Mortgage originator vs real estate agent salary

Mortgage originators and real estate agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mortgage OriginatorReal Estate Agent
Average salary$31,380$91,788
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $57,000Between $66,000 And $126,000
Highest paying City-Long Beach, NY
Highest paying state-West Virginia
Best paying company-Santa Clara Valley Water District
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between mortgage originator and real estate agent education

There are a few differences between a mortgage originator and a real estate agent in terms of educational background:

Mortgage OriginatorReal Estate Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Pennsylvania-

Mortgage originator vs real estate agent demographics

Here are the differences between mortgage originators' and real estate agents' demographics:

Mortgage OriginatorReal Estate Agent
Average age4549
Gender ratioMale, 56.2% Female, 43.8%Male, 43.4% Female, 56.6%
Race ratioBlack 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, 5.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 6.8% White, 70.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage8%13%

Differences between mortgage originator and real estate agent duties and responsibilities

Mortgage originator example responsibilities.

  • Coach new Jr. HMC's, lead team Jr. meetings and activities.
  • Handle issues concerning FHA, Fannie, Freddy, VA, and various loan type guidelines, policies and procedures.
  • Promote sales and origination of family residential properties within predetermine guidelines and rates.
  • Foster community relationships between lenders, and clients to ensure a positive outcome for financing requirements.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with outside referral sources such as realtors, builders, CPA's, attorneys, etc.

Real estate agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage all accounting, cash management, budgeting and financing for individual LLC's and for corporate entity.
  • Manage extremely complex REO and short sale transactions, coordinating sellers, buyers, and lenders in order to complete them.
  • Create ad campaigns via Google ad-words and Facebook.
  • Determine whether title transfers are assessable for taxation.
  • Learn all phases of real estate ethics, practice and procedures.
  • Review and analyze corporate leases, securities offerings, and secure transactions.
  • Show more

Mortgage originator vs real estate agent skills

Common mortgage originator skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Origination, 12%
  • Bank Products, 11%
  • Loan Applications, 7%
  • Loan Programs, 6%
  • FHA, 5%
Common real estate agent skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Real Estate License, 11%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 10%
  • Real Estate Market, 10%
  • Open Houses, 7%
  • Develop Marketing Materials, 6%

Browse business and financial jobs