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Loan Examiner I Salary in the United States

How much does a Loan Examiner I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Loan Examiner I in the United States is $57,902 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, a Loan Examiner I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $65,666
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,616 to $61,966
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,982
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Loan Examiner I Salaries

A Loan Examiner I'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 Loan Examiner I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Loan Examiner I'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:

  • Loan Examiner I (0-2 years): $57,902
  • Loan Examiner II (2-4 years): $76,073
  • Loan Examiner III (4-7 years): $116,172
  • Loan Examiner Manager (7+ years): $139,758
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Loan Examiner I0-2 years$57,902
Loan Examiner II2-4 years$76,073
Loan Examiner III4-7 years$116,172
Loan Examiner Manager7+ years$139,758
View as Graph

How Do Loan Examiner I 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 Loan Examiner Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $64,109.
  • California: $63,866.
  • Massachusetts: $63,015.

Top Paying Cities for Loan Examiner Is

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: $73,032
  • San Francisco: $72,232
  • Oakland: $70,710

What Skills Can Increase a Loan Examiner I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 16.67% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 16.67% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
  • Credit Analysis (Mentioned in 16.67% Job Postings): Credit analysis is the method by which one calculates the creditworthiness of a business or organization. In other words, It is the evaluation of the ability of a company to honor its financial obligations. The audited financial statements of a large company might be analyzed when it issues or has issued bonds. Or, a bank may analyze the financial statements of a small business before making or renewing a commercial loan. The term refers to either case, whether the business is large or small. The objective of credit analysis is to look at both the borrower and the lending facility being proposed and to assign a risk rating. The risk rating is derived by estimating the probability of default by the borrower at a given confidence level over the life of the facility, and by estimating the amount of loss that the lender would suffer in the event of default. Credit analysis involves a wide variety of financial analysis techniques, including ratio and trend analysis as well as the creation of projections and a detailed analysis of cash flows. Credit analysis also includes an examination of collateral and other sources of repayment as well as credit history and management ability. Analysts attempt to predict the probability that a borrower will default on its debts, and also the severity of losses in the event of default. Credit spreads—the difference in interest rates between theoretically "risk-free" investments such as U.S. treasuries or LIBOR and investments that carry some risk of default—reflect credit analysis by financial market participants.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 16.67%
Business Administration 16.67%
Credit Analysis 16.67%
See More Skills

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 Loan Examiner I's salary.

  • Credit Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Credit Analysis $61,955
7%
Risk Management $59,639
3%
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Loan Examiner I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Loan Examiner I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $62,700. While startup companies pay approximate $53,053.

Loan Examiner I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $53,053
Growth Stage 51~500 $56,116
Established 501~5000 $60,545
Enterprise 5000+ $62,700

Loan Examiner I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Loan Examiner I roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Financial Services, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Loan Examiner positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Loan Examiner I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Loan Examiner I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$69,482$33.020%

How Education impacts a Loan Examiner I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Loan Examiner I enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Loan Examiner I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $50,037 and $55,108.

Loan Examiner I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Loan Examiner I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 9.1%
High School 9.1%
Associates 18.2%
Bachelors 72.7%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Loan Examiner I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Loan Examiner I'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 September 01, 2026
$50,616
Average $57,902/year
$61,966
$4,218
Average $4,825/month
$5,164
$973
Average $1,114/week
$1,192
$24
Average $28/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $61,966 $5,164 $1,192 $30
Average $57,902 $4,825 $1,114 $28
25th Percentile $50,616 $4,218 $973 $24

Loan Examiner I Salary Growth & Career Path

Loan Examiner I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Loan Examiner I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Loan Examiner II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $76,073 - a projected growth of 31% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Loan Examiner I

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

Common company salaries for Loan Examiner I

Here are companies hiring for Loan Examiner I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Loan Examiner I

1. Where can a Loan Examiner I earn the most?

A Loan Examiner I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Loan Examiner I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Loan Examiner I is $73,032.

2. What is the highest pay for Loan Examiner I?

The highest pay for Loan Examiner I is $65,666.

3. What is the lowest pay for Loan Examiner I?

The lowest pay for Loan Examiner I is $43,982.

4. What are the responsibilities of Loan Examiner I?

Conducts independent regulatory examinations of financial institutions to assess the safety and soundness of lending practices, adequacy of credit risk management, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Examines loan portfolios to validate internal loan risk ratings and evaluate credit quality, documentation accuracy, and regulatory compliance. Assesses the effectiveness of a bank's loan review function and credit administration practices. Identifies potential credit risks, classification issues, and documentation deficiencies. Prepares examination reports to detail and document findings and required actions, communicating with bank management and regulatory bodies. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Loan Examiner I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Loan Examiner I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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