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Hourly Wage for Mortgage Underwriter I Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of Mortgage Underwriter I?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Mortgage Underwriter I in the United States is $31, which translates to an annual salary of about $65,281.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $41 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $28 to $37 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $25 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Mortgage Underwriter I Salaries

A Mortgage Underwriter 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 Mortgage Underwriter I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Mortgage Underwriter 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:

  • Mortgage Underwriter I (0-2 years): $65,281
  • Mortgage Underwriter II (2-4 years): $73,336
  • Mortgage Underwriter III (4-7 years): $94,955
  • Mortgage Underwriter IV (7+ years): $112,309
  • Mortgage Underwriting Manager (7+ years): $111,119
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Mortgage Underwriter I0-2 years$65,281
Mortgage Underwriter II2-4 years$73,336
Mortgage Underwriter III4-7 years$94,955
Mortgage Underwriter IV7+ years$112,309
Mortgage Underwriting Manager7+ years$111,119

Top Paying Cities for Mortgage Underwriter I

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: $82,339
  • San Francisco: $81,437
  • Oakland: $79,721

What Skills Can Increase a Mortgage Underwriter I'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 a Mortgage Underwriter I'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 $86,171
32%
Partnering $75,073
15%
Verbal Communication $71,156
9%

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

Mortgage Underwriter I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $71,257. While startup companies pay approximate $60,236.

Mortgage Underwriter I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $60,236
Growth Stage 51~500 $63,732
Established 501~5000 $68,789
Enterprise 5000+ $71,257

Mortgage Underwriter I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Mortgage Underwriter I 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, Mortgage Underwriter positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Mortgage Underwriter I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Mortgage Underwriter I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$84,865$41.030%

How Education impacts an Mortgage Underwriter I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mortgage Underwriter 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 Mortgage Underwriter I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $56,991 and $61,690.

Mortgage Underwriter I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Mortgage Underwriter I
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%

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

Understanding how a Mortgage Underwriter 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 August 01, 2026
$58,560
Average $65,281/year
$75,937
$4,880
Average $5,440/month
$6,328
$1,126
Average $1,255/week
$1,460
$28
Average $31/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,937 $6,328 $1,460 $37
Average $65,281 $5,440 $1,255 $31
25th Percentile $58,560 $4,880 $1,126 $28

Most common benefits for Mortgage Underwriter I

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

Common company salaries for Mortgage Underwriter I

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

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FAQ about Mortgage Underwriter I

1. What are the responsibilities of Mortgage Underwriter I?

Evaluates the risk of mortgage loan applications against the firm's objectives and borrowing guidelines using analysis and assessment of creditworthiness criteria. Reviews the applicant's financial status, documents, data, and property appraisal. Calculates LTV ratio (loan to value) to define the loan program eligibility, down payment, interest rate, repayment terms, and allowed loan amounts. Makes approval, rejection, or modification decisions based on underwriting guidelines and established approval limits. Complies with all federal regulations, state laws, and internal policies related to mortgage lending. Escalates non-conforming loans that require approval review using an exception process. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Mortgage Underwriter I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.)

Tax Return: Calculating an entity’s income earned with the amount of tax payable to the government, organizations, or potential taxpayers.

3.)

Financial Services: 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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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