upper level job

Specialist Mortgage Underwriter Salary in the United States

How much does a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter in the United States is $112,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $129,494
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,400 to $121,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $102,939
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Recruit with AI
View as table View as graph 25% $107,400 10% $102,939 90% $129,494 75% $121,300 $112,300 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Specialist Mortgage Underwriter Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $121,300 $10,108 $2,333 $58
Average $112,300 $9,358 $2,160 $54
25th Percentile $107,400 $8,950 $2,065 $52
Check out Specialist Mortgage Underwriter Job Openings in the United States
Periodontist

Winston Salem Dental Specialist - WINSTON-SALEM, NC

Registered Nurse Injection Specialist

IO Management Company LLC - WILLISTON, ND

Dental Hygiene Specialist

Belen Dental - UTICA, NY

Ophthalmologist

McFarland Eye Care - LITTLE ROCK, AR

Search More Specialist Mortgage Underwriter Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Specialist Mortgage Underwriter Salaries

A Specialist 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 Specialist Mortgage Underwriter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Specialist 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): $65,205
  • Intermediate Mortgage Underwriter (2-4 years): $73,321
  • Senior Mortgage Underwriter (4-7 years): $94,930
  • Specialist Mortgage Underwriter (7+ years): $112,231
  • Underwriting Manager - Mortgage Loans (7+ years): $111,122
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Mortgage Underwriter0-2 years$65,205
Intermediate Mortgage Underwriter2-4 years$73,321
Senior Mortgage Underwriter4-7 years$94,930
Specialist Mortgage Underwriter7+ years$112,231
Underwriting Manager - Mortgage Loans7+ years$111,122
$65,205 Entry Mor...
$73,321 Intermedi...
$94,930 Senior Mo...
$112,231 Specialis...
$111,122 Underwrit...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Specialist 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: $141,600
  • San Francisco: $140,200
  • Oakland: $137,100

What Skills Can Increase a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.58% 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 1.62% 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 1.04% 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.58%
Tax Return 1.62%
Financial Services 1.04%
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 a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter's salary.
  • Team Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 33%.
  • Mortgage Lending: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Operations
$149,359
33%
Mortgage Lending
$133,637
19%
Regulatory Compliance
$129,145
15%
Onboarding
$128,022
14%
Credit Risk
$126,899
13%
Mortgage Products
$126,899
13%
Get Latest Data

How Education impacts a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Specialist Mortgage Underwriters enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter with a No Diploma is between $102,912 and $108,300).

Specialist Mortgage Underwriter Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Specialist Mortgage Underwriter
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.6%
High School 44.4%
Associates 5.6%
Bachelors 38.9%
Masters 5.6%
Doctorate 0.0%
view as graph

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

Understanding how a Specialist 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 January 01, 2026

Specialist Mortgage Underwriter Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Underwriting Manager - Mortgage Loans role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $111,200 - a projected growth of -1% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Specialist Mortgage Underwriter

Salaries for a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $109,088 in 2023 to around $109,063 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Specialist Mortgage Underwriter salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Specialist Mortgage Underwriter Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$109,088
2024
$109,743
2025
$109,063
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $109,088
2024 $109,743
2025 $109,063
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Specialist Mortgage Underwriter

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

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Specialist Mortgage Underwriter

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

Find Your Next Specialist Mortgage Underwriter Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Specialist Mortgage Underwriter job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Specialist Mortgage Underwriter

1. What position is above an underwriter?

Experienced underwriters may advance to senior underwriters or underwriter managers, with salaries ranging from $99,900 to $128,800, depending on experience and responsibilities. Certification may be required for progression into these higher-level positions.

2. How much do underwriting support specialists make?

How much does an Underwriting Support Specialist make? The salary for a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter ranges from $99,900 to $128,800, with a median salary of $109,600. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the importance of their role in the mortgage underwriting process.

3. Which states pay the most for underwriters?

The average salary for a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter ranges from $99,900 to $128,800, with a midpoint of $109,600. States like California and Pennsylvania typically offer competitive salaries, but specific figures can vary. It's essential to research local markets for the most accurate compensation data.

4. What's the highest paying job in insurance?

The highest paying job in insurance is often the Specialist Mortgage Underwriter, with a salary range from $99,900 to $128,800, and a mid-salary of $109,600. Other high-paying roles include Insurance Agent, Actuary, Personal Finance Advisors, and Claims Adjusters. These positions offer competitive compensation and opportunities for growth in the insurance industry.

5. What is the difference between an underwriter and an underwriting assistant?

Underwriters are responsible for evaluating loan applications and making decisions on risk, while underwriting assistants support them by handling administrative tasks and coordinating with other teams to gather necessary information. The salary for a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter ranges from $99,900 to $128,800, with a midpoint of $109,600.

6. How much do mortgage underwriters make in the US?

The salary of a Specialist Mortgage Underwriter in the US ranges from $99,900 to $128,800, with a mid-point salary of $109,600 annually. This variation depends on factors such as experience, skills, and location.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job