As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Mortgage Underwriter III in the United States is $46, which translates to an annual salary of about $94,955.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
Mortgage Underwriter III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $102,860 | $8,572 | $1,978 | $49 |
| Average | $94,955 | $7,913 | $1,826 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,200 | $7,267 | $1,677 | $42 |
A Mortgage Underwriter III'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Mortgage Underwriter III'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 4.63% |
| Tax Return | 1.67% |
| Financial Services | 1.03% |
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 III's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Skills | $109,198 | |
| Team Management | $107,299 | |
| Insight | $105,400 |
Mortgage Underwriter III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $104,324. While startup companies pay approximate $88,052.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $88,052 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $93,201 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $100,670 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $104,324 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Mortgage Underwriter III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $84,765 and $90,770.
| Typical Education for Mortgage Underwriter III | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 3.1% |
| High School | 32.3% |
| Associates | 16.2% |
| Bachelors | 41.5% |
| Masters | 6.9% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Mortgage Underwriter III'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $102,860 | $8,572 | $1,978 | $49 |
| Average | $94,955 | $7,913 | $1,826 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,200 | $7,267 | $1,677 | $42 |
Salaries for a Mortgage Underwriter III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $91,295 in 2023 to around $90,024 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Mortgage Underwriter III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $91,295 |
| 2024 | $91,108 |
| 2025 | $90,024 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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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 generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.
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.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
Tax Return: Calculating an entity’s income earned with the amount of tax payable to the government, organizations, or potential taxpayers.
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.
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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