Who makes more money, a mortgage broker or a mortgage loan officer?

No federal wage statistic separates the two roles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics groups mortgage brokers and loan officers together under loan officers, reporting a median annual wage of $76,690 in May 2025. Pay structures differ somewhat: loan officers usually draw a salary or hourly pay plus commission, while brokers typically earn a commission or flat fee from the lender once the loan closes, so earnings depend more on production and employer than on the title.

There is no fixed answer, because pay varies with loan volume rather than job title. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $76,690 for loan officers in May 2025. Mortgage brokers in California typically earn a loan origination fee of about 1% of the loan amount, due at closing. Earnings on both sides depend on how many loans close and at what values.

There is no single answer, because both roles are often paid on commission. Job-listing averages suggest mortgage brokers earn somewhat more than loan officers, though broker income depends heavily on loan volume. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 median wage of $76,690 for loan officers, with the highest 10% earning more than $153,180. Individual earnings depend on loan volume and compensation structure.

Neither role guarantees higher pay; both are mortgage loan originators whose income depends mainly on loan volume. Brokers commonly earn origination fees of 1% to 2% of the loan amount, paid by the borrower, the lender, or both, while loan officers may earn a flat salary, a base plus commission, or commissions that run higher for mortgage loans than for other loan types. The Bureau of Labor Statistics put the median loan officer wage at $76,690 in May 2025.