By
Knowledge Coop
•
September 17, 2025
Imagine helping a family secure their first home and witnessing the joy on their faces as they receive the keys. That moment alone can make a career in mortgage incredibly rewarding. But beyond the emotional satisfaction and financial benefit, many people ask: “Why work in mortgage?”
The mortgage industry isn’t just about numbers and paperwork. It’s a career filled with opportunities for growth, flexibility, and financial success. Mortgage jobs offer something for everyone, whether you’re seeking a meaningful profession in the housing industry or a path to financial independence.
In this blog, we’ll explore the personal and professional benefits of working in the mortgage industry.
Let’s start with the money. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for mortgage loan officers (MLOs) was $74,180. That means that half of the MLOs studied in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey made more than that. Plus, mortgage brokers and loan officers receive commission on top of their salary. If you’re willing to put in the work and build a consistent pipeline, your income will grow steadily over time.
Getting started in mortgage is more straightforward than starting in other fields. For loan origination, licenses are standardized by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). The NMLS requires potential mortgage loan officers to complete pre-licensure (PE) training to obtain a license. After you get your license, all you need to do is maintain it by taking annual continuing education (CE) training. Requirements and training deadlines vary state-by-state, but using a learning management system such as Coop+ that contains both PE and CE, you can simplify the process year after year.
If you’re looking to transition from another industry into mortgage or don’t plan on being an MLO indefinitely, you can easily transfer skills in and out of the industry. Take it from someone who’s worked in several different industries, Jerry Baker, CEO Mentor at Building Champions.
Transferable skills include:
You can quickly apply these skills to underwriting, operations, compliance oversight, advisory roles, or other relevant positions in the mortgage industry. These skills are also highly transferable to adjacent sectors like real estate, financial services, and insurance.
Buying a home is a huge milestone for most people, and to support someone along the way is a monumental undertaking. On top of that, not everyone is familiar with navigating mortgage loans. Working with a trusted mortgage expert takes the stress out of an already stressful experience. Having a career dedicated to educating and guiding people towards their goal of homeownership is a common reason why so many mortgage professionals love their job.
One day, if you aspire to become a branch manager or own your own business, you can accomplish that in this industry. With consistent closing, good reputation, referrals, and strong network presence, you can scale your impact and earnings. Friends of the Knowledge Coop and former guests on our podcast Lessons From Last Time, including Todd Williams, Don Goettling, and Craig Davis, are living examples of starting from the ground up and becoming leaders in mortgage.
A career in mortgage is rewarding, flexible, and financially promising. You can make a meaningful impact, grow professionally, and enjoy independence in your work. All you need to do is take the first step.
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