Post job

Senior underwriter vs mortgage underwriter

The differences between senior underwriters and mortgage underwriters 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 $55,721 average annual salary of a mortgage underwriter.

The top three skills for a senior underwriter include customer service, portfolio and underwriting guidelines. The most important skills for a mortgage underwriter are customer service, work ethic, and FHA.

Senior underwriter vs mortgage underwriter overview

Senior UnderwriterMortgage Underwriter
Yearly salary$69,375$55,721
Hourly rate$33.35$26.79
Growth rate-4%4%
Number of jobs6,7269,260
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
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 mortgage underwriter do?

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.

Senior underwriter vs mortgage underwriter salary

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

Senior UnderwriterMortgage Underwriter
Average salary$69,375$55,721
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $108,000Between $38,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Mexico
Best paying companyCapital GroupCTBC Bank
Best paying industryInsuranceProfessional

Differences between senior underwriter and mortgage underwriter education

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

Senior UnderwriterMortgage Underwriter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior underwriter vs mortgage underwriter demographics

Here are the differences between senior underwriters' and mortgage underwriters' demographics:

Senior UnderwriterMortgage Underwriter
Average age4445
Gender ratioMale, 42.0% Female, 58.0%Male, 39.3% Female, 60.7%
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, 15.9% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between senior underwriter and mortgage underwriter 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

Mortgage underwriter example 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.
  • Audit and analyze TIL, GFE and HUD documentation for accuracy to insure compliance.
  • Review MHA and FHA guidelines and calculate proper income to approve or decline loans for a temporary or permanent modification.
  • Show more

Senior underwriter vs mortgage underwriter skills

Common senior underwriter skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Portfolio, 8%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • SR, 4%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
Common mortgage underwriter skills
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • FHA, 5%
  • Va, 5%
  • Excellent Organizational, 4%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%

Browse business and financial jobs