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Entry Mortgage Underwriter Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Mortgage Underwriter make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Mortgage Underwriter in the United States is $65,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

However, an Entry Mortgage Underwriter's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,651
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,600 to $76,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,409

Key Factors That Influence Entry Mortgage Underwriter Salaries

An Entry Mortgage Underwriter's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Mortgage Underwriter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Mortgage Underwriter's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Mortgage Underwriter (0-2 years): $65,303
  • Intermediate Mortgage Underwriter (2-4 years): $73,340
  • Senior Mortgage Underwriter (4-7 years): $94,962
  • Lead Mortgage Underwriter (7+ years): $112,331
  • Underwriting Manager - Mortgage Loans (7+ years): $112,646
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Mortgage Underwriter0-2 years$65,303
Intermediate Mortgage Underwriter2-4 years$73,340
Senior Mortgage Underwriter4-7 years$94,962
Lead Mortgage Underwriter7+ years$112,331
Underwriting Manager - Mortgage Loans7+ years$112,646

How Do Entry Mortgage Underwriter Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Mortgage Underwriters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $72,400.
  • California: $72,100.
  • Massachusetts: $71,100.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Mortgage Underwriters

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $82,400
  • San Francisco: $81,500
  • Oakland: $79,800

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Mortgage Underwriter's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.98% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Tax Return (Mentioned in 1.76% Job Postings): Calculating an entity’s income earned with the amount of tax payable to the government, organizations, or potential taxpayers.
  • Financial Services (Mentioned in 1.16% Job Postings): A services provided by the finance industry, which encompasses a broad range of businesses that manage money. These services involve banking, brokerage, mortgages, credit cards, payment services, real estate, investment funds, taxes and accounting.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.98%
Tax Return 1.76%
Financial Services 1.16%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Entry Mortgage Underwriter's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 32%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $86,328
32%
Partnering $75,210
15%
Verbal Communication $71,286
9%

Entry Mortgage Underwriter Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Mortgage Underwriter salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $71,394. While startup companies pay approximate $60,376.

Entry Mortgage Underwriter Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $60,376
Growth Stage 51~500 $63,880
Established 501~5000 $68,904
Enterprise 5000+ $71,394

Entry Mortgage Underwriter Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Mortgage Underwriter roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Insurance, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Entry Mortgage Underwriter positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Entry Mortgage Underwriter as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Entry Mortgage Underwriter

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$85,020$41.030%

How Education impacts an Entry Mortgage Underwriter's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Mortgage Underwriters enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Mortgage Underwriter with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $54,549 and $59,206).

Entry Mortgage Underwriter Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Mortgage Underwriter
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 32.7%
High School 32.7%
Associates 8.9%
Bachelors 49.5%
Masters 8.9%
Doctorate 0.0%

Entry Mortgage Underwriter Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Mortgage Underwriter's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$58,600
Average $65,400/year
$76,000
$4,883
Average $5,450/month
$6,333
$1,127
Average $1,258/week
$1,462
$28
Average $31/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $76,000 $6,333 $1,462 $37
Average $65,400 $5,450 $1,258 $31
25th Percentile $58,600 $4,883 $1,127 $28

Most common benefits for Entry Mortgage Underwriter

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Entry Mortgage Underwriter

Here are companies hiring for Entry Mortgage Underwriter and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Mortgage Underwriter

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Mortgage Underwriter?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Mortgage Underwriter roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Which states pay the most for underwriters?

The average salary for an Entry Mortgage Underwriter ranges from $53,000 to $71,700, with a midpoint of $61,000. States like California and Pennsylvania typically offer higher salaries for underwriters, with California averaging around $34 per hour and Pennsylvania about $31.48 per hour, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in these regions.

3. Are mortgage underwriters in demand?

Yes, mortgage underwriters are in demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 4% growth in employment for mortgage underwriters from 2021 to 2031, aligning with the average for all occupations. As demand increases, salaries are expected to rise modestly, with entry-level positions starting around $53,000, reaching up to $71,700 for experienced underwriters.

4. Can you work from home as an underwriter?

Yes, as an Entry Mortgage Underwriter, you can work from home or a remote office. In this role, you will evaluate the risk of clients who have applied for loans. The salary for this position typically ranges from $53,000 to $71,700, with a midpoint of $61,000, reflecting the responsibilities and expertise required.

5. What degree does a mortgage underwriter need?

To become a mortgage underwriter, you typically need a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Pursuing a Master of Business Administration can enhance your underwriting skills and prepare you for advancement to senior underwriter roles. Entry-level mortgage underwriters can expect salaries ranging from $53,000 to $71,700, with a median salary of $61,000.

6. What is the average age of an underwriter?

The workforce of Insurance underwriters in 2022 was 122,018, with 62.4% women and 37.6% men. The average age of male underwriters is 40.8, while female underwriters average 44.9. Entry Mortgage Underwriters typically earn between $53,000 and $71,700, with a median salary of $61,000. The most common race/ethnicity among underwriters is White.

7. How much do junior underwriters make?

Junior Mortgage Underwriters typically earn between $53,000 and $71,700 annually, with a median salary around $61,000. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and specific employer, but this range provides a solid benchmark for entry-level positions in the field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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