Is becoming a mortgage lender a good career?

Federal labor data shows modest growth with steady replacement demand. Employment of loan officers is projected to grow 1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations, yet about 17,100 openings are projected each year, mostly from workers leaving the occupation, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median pay was $76,690 in May 2025, and many positions combine salary with commission.