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Senior underwriter vs loan originator

The differences between senior underwriters and loan originators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior underwriter has an average salary of $69,375, which is higher than the $41,291 average annual salary of a loan originator.

The top three skills for a senior underwriter include customer service, portfolio and underwriting guidelines. The most important skills for a loan originator are customer service, origination, and FHA.

Senior underwriter vs loan originator overview

Senior UnderwriterLoan Originator
Yearly salary$69,375$41,291
Hourly rate$33.35$19.85
Growth rate-4%4%
Number of jobs6,72610,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4445
Years of experience-6

What does a senior underwriter do?

A senior underwriter is responsible for evaluating the eligibility of an applicant for loan application processing. Senior underwriters verify the applicant's information, including their credit score and other valid documents, ensuring that the applicant fulfills the loan application's parameters. They check the applicant's portfolios and provide them the next necessary steps and the alternatives for loan types. A senior underwriter must have excellent knowledge of the loan processes and underwriting procedures to analyze applications and make accurate decisions.

What does a loan originator do?

A Loan Originator is a potential liaison between borrowers and lenders. They help borrowers complete loan applications and evaluate which loans are most appropriate for the customers.

Senior underwriter vs loan originator salary

Senior underwriters and loan originators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior UnderwriterLoan Originator
Average salary$69,375$41,291
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $108,000Between $28,000 And $60,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkSouth Dakota
Best paying companyCapital GroupCentennial Bank
Best paying industryInsuranceTransportation

Differences between senior underwriter and loan originator education

There are a few differences between a senior underwriter and a loan originator in terms of educational background:

Senior UnderwriterLoan Originator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior underwriter vs loan originator demographics

Here are the differences between senior underwriters' and loan originators' demographics:

Senior UnderwriterLoan Originator
Average age4445
Gender ratioMale, 42.0% Female, 58.0%Male, 54.0% Female, 46.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 5.6% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between senior underwriter and loan originator duties and responsibilities

Senior underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Manage AUS findings and analyze approvals and results accordingly.
  • Perform underwriter approval/declines on FHA, VA, FmHA and conventional loan applications providing financing for one-to-four family residential properties.
  • Fix and n variable annuities.
  • Check for the accuracy and proper recording of UCC filings and mortgages.
  • Order and review flood searches, title reports, UCC searches, appraisals, insurance policies and binders, and contracts.
  • Review preliminary HUD-1 for accuracy.
  • Show more

Loan originator example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage the processing staff and also underwrite conventional loans for correspondent lenders.
  • Complete yearly the NMLS continuing education requirements.
  • Direct lender with FNMA while maintaining all loan servicing.
  • Increase revenues and product awareness by cross-selling service lines and packages.
  • Complete a rigorous training program and have obtained 25 NMLS state licensing requirements to be a loan originator.
  • Review FHA case number assignments, mortgage credit rejects and refinances authorizations to determine qualification.
  • Show more

Senior underwriter vs loan originator skills

Common senior underwriter skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Portfolio, 8%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • SR, 4%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
Common loan originator skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Origination, 9%
  • FHA, 6%
  • Va, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 6%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%

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