If you’re considering a career in mortgages, one of your first questions is likely: What is the salary of a junior mortgage loan officer?
The answer isn’t simple, because pay depends on experience, commission structure, and the company you work for. But understanding the basics can help you decide if this career path is right for you.
What Is a Junior Mortgage Loan Officer?
A junior mortgage loan officer (LO) is typically someone new to the industry:
- Recently licensed (NMLS).
- Learning loan products, compliance, and client relations.
- Often working under a senior LO or branch manager for mentorship.
This role is sometimes called loan officer assistant, trainee loan officer, or entry-level mortgage loan officer.
Junior Mortgage Loan Officer SalaryBase Pay
- According to industry data (Indeed, Glassdoor, BLS), the average base salary for a junior mortgage loan officer ranges from $40,000–$55,000 per year.
- Some companies pay closer to $18–25 per hour if structured as hourly instead of salary.
Commission
- Most mortgage loan officers, even junior ones, earn commission on closed loans.
- Commissions can range from 0.3% to 1% of loan amount, depending on the company’s model.
- For example, on a $300,000 loan, a junior LO might earn $900–$3,000.
Total Compensation
- A junior mortgage loan officer’s total salary + commission often falls between $50,000 and $75,000 annually in the first years.
- With strong mentorship and good leads, some junior LOs surpass six figures within 2–3 years.
→ Read more: how much commission does a mortgage loan officer make?
Factors That Affect Junior LO Salary
- Company Structure – Banks may offer stable base pay but lower commissions. Mortgage brokerages often give higher commission but less salary.
- Market Conditions – When interest rates drop, refinance booms can boost income significantly.
- Location – Salaries are higher in states with expensive housing markets (California, New York, Washington).
- Leads Provided – LOs who generate their own leads may earn more long-term, but juniors at firms with marketing support often close more deals faster.
Junior Mortgage Loan Officer Career Growth
Starting as a junior LO is often the gateway to a high-income career. With experience, you can:
.jpg "Junior Mortgage Loan Officer Salary & Career Outlook")
Junior Mortgage Loan Officer Career Growth→ Read more: How to become a mortgage loan officer with no experience?
Salary and Earnings Comparison for Loan Officers
Role / Model | Base Salary | Commission | Annual Earning Potential | Notes |
| Junior Loan Officer (Traditional Bank) | $40,000 – $55,000 | 0.3% – 0.5% per loan | $50,000 – $75,000 | Lower commissions, stable base. Bank controls most leads. |
| Senior Loan Officer (Traditional Firm) | Often commission-only | 0.5% – 1% per loan | $100,000 – $200,000+ | Higher earnings but dependent on self-sourced leads. Often pay desk or marketing fees. |
| Loan Factory LO (Any Level) | No base (commission-only model) | Keep 100% commission (flat $595 per file) | $80,000 – $250,000+ (depends on volume) | Free MOSO platform, 240+ lenders, in-house support, mentorship from Thuan Nguyen. No desk/junk fees. |
Takeaway for new LOs:
- At banks: you trade higher base pay for lower long-term earnings.
- As a senior LO: you can make six figures, but you often carry higher costs and must generate your own leads.
- With Loan Factory: even juniors keep full commission, access free enterprise-level tools, and receive mentorship—meaning your growth curve is much faster.
How Loan Factory Changes the Game for Loan Officers
At traditional mortgage firms, junior loan officers often sacrifice a large portion of their commission in exchange for a modest salary. This limits both income and career growth.
Loan Factory is different. We’ve built a model designed to help loan officers succeed faster, earn more, and scale their business with the right tools.
.jpg "Junior Mortgage Loan Officer Salary & Career Outlook")
Why Loan Officers Choose Loan FactoryWhy Loan Officers Choose Loan Factory
- Keep 100% commission – only pay a flat $595 per file.
- No desk fees, no junk fees – save thousands per year compared to traditional firms.
- Free MOSO platform – an all-in-one enterprise system with AI-powered CRM, LOS, pricing engine, marketing, and compliance.
- 240+ wholesale lenders – compare rates in real time and lock loans instantly.
- Mentorship from Thuan Nguyen (#1 LO in the U.S.) – learn directly from the best.
- Business growth support – in-house underwriting, $500 processing per file, weekly training, and company-generated leads in 42 states.
- Save on tech costs – replace expensive tools like Arive, Loan Sifter, Canva, and HomeBot; average savings of ~$963/month.
- Best Price Guarantee – attract more clients with our $1,000 promise if we can’t beat a competitor’s offer. (term)
At Loan Factory, junior loan officers don’t just get a paycheck—they get the tools, training, mentorship, and freedom to build a real business. Whether you’re new or experienced, you’ll take home more commission and grow faster with our system.
Ready to Maximize Your Commission?
With Loan Factory, you earn more, close more, and build long-term success without the limits of traditional firms.
Join our free webinar today: Loan Factory for Loan Officers
Or call us at 714-591-8143 to learn how you can grow your career with Loan Factory.
.jpg "Junior Mortgage Loan Officer Salary & Career Outlook")
Join Loan Factory free webinar todayFAQs About Junior Mortgage Loan Officer Salary
