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What is a mortgage underwriter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Robert Hoyt, Ph.D.
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A mortgage underwriter plays a crucial role in the loan approval process. They review and verify loan applications, ensuring that borrowers meet the necessary financial requirements and that the property being purchased meets the lender's standards. They also assess and analyze credit reports, employment history, and financial statements to determine the borrower's ability to repay the loan. Additionally, mortgage underwriters may communicate with loan officers, real estate agents, and appraisers to gather information necessary for lending decisions.

What's a day at work look like for a mortgage underwriter?

Robert Hoyt, Ph.D.Robert Hoyt, Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Department Head and Dudley L. Moore Jr. Chair of Insurance, University of Georgia

They are training for it now. Due to pandemic restrictions, they are taking classes in a hybrid environment with less face-to-face class time integrated with virtual interaction. Some of their classmates are restricted to their home countries and are joining virtually throughout the class. Group work in our courses is always important, but now they are having to working in teams through virtual platforms. This is how business will be done and it will be increasingly global given the convenience of engaging virtually without the cost of travel. In my opinion, the future work environment in insurance is going to look a lot like how we are educating students currently. However, thankfully, without the masks and with more opportunities for face-to-face socializing with clients and colleagues. As I note in more detail below, I think geographic limits will be much less important going forward due to the ability to be effective through virtual platforms and much more flexibility around where and when we work with be the norm.
ScoreMortgage UnderwriterUS Average
Salary
4.4

Avg. Salary $55,721

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.3

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.48%

Asian 6.37%

Black or African American 9.17%

Hispanic or Latino 15.92%

Unknown 4.64%

White 63.42%

Gender

female 60.70%

male 39.30%

Age - 44
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 - 44
Stress level
7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a mortgage underwriter?

Pros

  • Constant demand for mortgage underwriters in the job market

  • Work-from-home options available

  • Room for negotiation with lenders for better loan terms

  • Exposure to a variety of mortgage products and programs

  • Access to industry-specific training and development

Cons

  • Constant changes in industry regulations and guidelines

  • Must have strong attention to detail and accuracy

  • Limited creativity or flexibility in decision-making

  • Constant need to balance risk management with sales goals

  • May involve dealing with difficult customers or disputes

Mortgage underwriter career paths

Key steps to become a mortgage underwriter

  1. Explore mortgage underwriter education requirements

    Most common mortgage underwriter degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.5 %

    Associate

    17.2 %

    Master's

    7.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific mortgage underwriter skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service7.36%
    Work Ethic5.53%
    FHA5.39%
    Va5.39%
    Excellent Organizational4.35%
  3. Complete relevant mortgage underwriter training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New mortgage underwriters 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 mortgage underwriter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real mortgage underwriter resumes.
  4. Research mortgage underwriter duties and 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.
  5. Prepare your mortgage underwriter resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your mortgage underwriter 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 mortgage underwriter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable mortgage underwriter resume templates

    Build a professional mortgage underwriter 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 mortgage underwriter resume.
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    Mortgage Underwriter Resume
  6. Apply for mortgage underwriter jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a mortgage underwriter 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 mortgage underwriter job

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Average mortgage underwriter salary

The average mortgage underwriter salary in the United States is $55,721 per year or $27 per hour. Mortgage underwriter salaries range between $38,000 and $80,000 per year.

Average mortgage underwriter salary
$55,721 Yearly
$26.79 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do mortgage underwriters rate their job?

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Mortgage underwriter reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2024
Pros

Remote work, banking hours and benefits

Cons

High pressure, Toxic work environment when rates increase & people become defensive & scared of layoffs


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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023
Pros

Remote work opportunity

Cons

High pressure environment, constant scrutiny of job performance


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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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