How much does a mortgage loan originator make per loan?
Mortgage loan originators commonly earn a commission of about 1% to 2% of the loan amount, often split with their broker, though many are paid a salary or a fixed amount per loan instead. Federal law prohibits commissions from varying based on the terms of the mortgage, and a lender may set minimums or maximums when paying per loan. Actual earnings depend on loan volume, home prices, and the employer's pay structure.
Mortgage loan originators are typically paid on commission, generally about 1% to 2% of the loan amount per industry publications, though pay varies by employer, loan type, and volume. Kentucky law does not set commission rates. For context on overall earnings, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $76,690 for loan officers as of May 2025.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Loan Officers.
Most mortgage loan originators are paid as a commission of about 1% to 2% of the loan amount, and that commission is commonly split with the broker when the originator works under one. Actual pay varies with the employer's compensation plan, loan volume, and loan types. As a benchmark, Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2023 put the national median wage for loan officers at $69,990 per year, with a mean of $84,490.
Sources: BLS OEWS: Loan Officers (13-2072), May 2023.
There is no fixed per-loan payment set by law; originators are commonly paid on commission, with the amount typically split with the broker. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $76,690 for loan officers in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent earning under $39,430 and the highest 10 percent over $153,180.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Loan Officers.
Mortgage loan originators commonly earn a commission of 1% to 2% of the loan amount, though pay structures vary by employer and loan type. State licensing law does not set originator compensation; the sponsoring company determines how its originators are paid.
Sources: W. Va. Code 31-17A-4: State license application and issuance (SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act); W. Va. Code 31-17A-5: Issuance of license (required findings).