Post job

Underwriter vs closer

The differences between underwriters and closers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an underwriter has an average salary of $61,751, which is higher than the $29,291 average annual salary of a closer.

The top three skills for an underwriter include customer service, investor guidelines and mortgage loans. The most important skills for a closer are customer service, cleanliness, and punctuality.

Underwriter vs closer overview

UnderwriterCloser
Yearly salary$61,751$29,291
Hourly rate$29.69$14.08
Growth rate-4%4%
Number of jobs8,5107,560
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4445
Years of experience-6

What does an underwriter do?

An underwriter's duties depend on the line of work or industry involved, such as mortgage companies, insurance, or lending firms. However, an Underwriter's responsibility will mainly revolve around using their extensive expertise on how a company will achieve financial gains, and assessing the possible financial risks of a client by reviewing various aspects to determine their capacity to uphold monetary obligations. Most of the time, the Underwriter's tasks will also involve evaluating a client's credit history, health, assets, overall financial history.

What does a closer do?

The duties of a closer depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to ensure that they understand and adhere to all terms of the agreement, completing all requirements and necessary documents, and maintaining records of all transactions. A closer must also monitor the regular payments of clients to ensure their compliance with the agreement, answer any inquiries, perform follow-up calls, and address any issues or concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently.

Underwriter vs closer salary

Underwriters and closers have different pay scales, as shown below.

UnderwriterCloser
Average salary$61,751$29,291
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $96,000Between $20,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAGreece, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsHawaii
Best paying companyGoogleGPAC
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between underwriter and closer education

There are a few differences between an underwriter and a closer in terms of educational background:

UnderwriterCloser
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Underwriter vs closer demographics

Here are the differences between underwriters' and closers' demographics:

UnderwriterCloser
Average age4445
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 45.0% Female, 55.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 72.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 6.1% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between underwriter and closer duties and responsibilities

Underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Attain Jr. underwriter status and AUS underwriting authority.
  • Manage AUS findings and analyze approvals and results accordingly.
  • Complete initial review of appraisals, borrower credit documents, and DU/LP findings according to Fannie Mae and investor guidelines.
  • Research and develop SBA program.
  • Work on project putting together HPR policy.
  • Resolve issues preventing final disposition of REO properties.
  • Show more

Closer example responsibilities.

  • Time management and organization skills to effectively prioritize multiple objectives and achieve volume goals.
  • Process conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans, clearing conditions before submission.
  • Clear property conditions for insurance and title on all FHA, VA and USDA loans.
  • Submit information to mortgage insurance carriers, FHA, VA, FHLMC, and FNMA for workout alternatives to foreclosure.
  • Coordinate with foreclosure and eviction and litigation teams to ensure properties are in transferable condition prior to closing.
  • Prepare high volume of loan closing packages under a variety of loan programs including conventional, FHA and VA.
  • Show more

Underwriter vs closer skills

Common underwriter skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Investor Guidelines, 6%
  • Mortgage Loans, 5%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 5%
  • Financial Statements, 4%
  • FHA, 3%
Common closer skills
  • Customer Service, 42%
  • Cleanliness, 31%
  • Punctuality, 8%
  • Dependability, 4%
  • Food Orders, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 1%

Browse business and financial jobs