The median pay for Loan Interviewers and Clerks is $50,020 a year ($24.05/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 2.4% through 2035, with about 10,500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 43-4131
- Office and Administrative Support
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Loan Interviewer and Clerk in four numbers
- Median pay
- $50,020a year, or $24.05/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $37KTop 10% $70K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -2.4%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−2.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −2.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 10,500169,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025169.1K
- Projected 2035165K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 169.1K Projected 2035 165K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school42.9%
- Certificate12.1%
- Some college0.1%
- Associate's6.7%
- Bachelor's38.3%
Highest education held by loan interviewers and clerks Segment Value High school 42.9% Certificate 12.1% Some college 0.1% Associate's 6.7% Bachelor's 38.3%
Also advertised as: Licensed Loan Officer Assistant, Loan Analyst, Loan Assistant, Loan Clerk, Loan Originator, Loan Processor.
Pay
How much do loan interviewers and clerks make?
Loan Interviewers and Clerks earn a median of $50,020 a year ($24.05 an hour, or about $4,170 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $37,330 and the top 10% more than $69,770 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is District of Columbia, with a median of $77,080. See Loan interviewer and clerk salary in District of Columbia and every other state. By city, pay is highest around San Jose ($66,190 average): salary in every city.
Every loan interviewer and clerk in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$50,020
Middle half earn $45,120 to $60,600
- 10th
- $37,330
- 25th
- $45,120
- 75th
- $60,600
- 90th
- $69,770
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,330 |
| 25th | $45,120 |
| Median | $50,020 |
| 75th | $60,600 |
| 90th | $69,770 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $50,020
- Median hourly wage
- $24.05/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $52,520
- People employed
- 164,790
Versus all US occupations
At $50,020, the median for Loan Interviewers and Clerks sits in line with the $50,980 median across all US occupations.
Versus office and administrative support occupations
The median is typical for the Office and Administrative Support group, where the middle occupation pays $49,230.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $69,770 or more while the bottom 10% earn $37,330, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 21% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $77,080, and still leads at $70,136 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay loan interviewers and clerks the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $77,080 | $70,136 | 140 |
| 2Maryland | $59,430 | $56,622 | 1,590 |
| 3Connecticut | $58,980 | $56,925 | 970 |
| 4Massachusetts | $58,940 | $55,732 | 2,080 |
| 5New Jersey | $58,760 | $54,005 | 3,620 |
| 6Washington | $58,740 | $54,891 | 3,290 |
| 7New York | $58,120 | $53,854 | 4,780 |
| 8North Carolina | $57,780 | $61,256 | 4,800 |
| 9Delaware | $57,760 | $57,871 | 950 |
| 10Oregon | $57,650 | $55,775 | 1,920 |
Job outlook
Is loan interviewer and clerk a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -2.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Loan Interviewers and Clerks | −2.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Loan Interviewers and Clerks to change -2.4% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 4,100 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 10,500 openings are projected each year, 6.2% of the 169,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of financial clerks is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The availability of online tools, which allow financial customers to perform many tasks themselves, is expected to reduce demand for occupations such as new accounts clerks; procurement clerks; and credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks. Similarly, productivity-enhancing technology is expected to limit demand for other clerks, such as payroll and timekeeping clerks, loan interviewers and clerks, brokerage clerks, and insurance claims and policy processing clerks.
AI exposure: very high
BLS places this occupation in its very high relative AI exposure category, among the occupations most exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a loan interviewer and clerk
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most financial clerk jobs. These workers typically learn their duties through on-the-job training.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as loan interviewers and clerks.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)42.9%
- Bachelor's Degree38.3%
- Post-Secondary Certificate12.1%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree6.7%
- Some College Courses0.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 42.9% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 38.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 12.1% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 6.7% |
| Some College Courses | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a loan interviewer and clerk do?
Interview loan applicants to elicit information; investigate applicants' backgrounds and verify references; prepare loan request papers; and forward findings, reports, and documents to appraisal department. Review loan papers to ensure completeness, and complete transactions between loan establishment, borrowers, and sellers upon approval of loan.
Financial clerks do administrative work for many types of organizations. They keep records, help customers, and carry out transactions that involve money.
Day-to-day tasks
- Verify and examine information and accuracy of loan application and closing documents.
- Record applications for loan and credit, loan information, and disbursements of funds, using computers.
- Answer questions and advise customers regarding loans and transactions.
- Present loan and repayment schedules to customers.
- Contact customers by mail, telephone, or in person concerning acceptance or rejection of applications.
- Interview loan applicants to obtain personal and financial data and to assist in completing applications.
- Check value of customer collateral to be held as loan security.
- Establish credit limits and grant extensions of credit on overdue accounts.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most financial clerks work full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.1
- Speaking4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Writing3.6
- Active Learning3.4
- Mathematics3.1
- Monitoring3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.6 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4
- Time Management3.3
- Coordination3.0
- Persuasion3.0
- Instructing3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.5 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.4 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Financial analysis software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a loan interviewer and clerk?
Women make up 76.3% of loan interviewers and clerks, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation.
19.0% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 42.5 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 76.3%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 42.5All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 19.0%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 84,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of loan interviewers and clerks | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 76.3% | 47.1% |
| White | 74.5% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 14.2% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 3.8% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17.0% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 19.0% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 3.6% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a loan interviewer and clerk?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Loan Interviewer and Clerk |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 1 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 5 |
| Conventional | 7 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Conventional6.9
- Enterprising4.6
- Social3.4
- Investigative2.2
- Realistic1.0
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Loan Interviewer and Clerk
O*NET related occupations
- Business and Financial Operations
- Office and Administrative Support
- Business and Financial Operations
- Business and Financial Operations
- Office and Administrative Support
- Office and Administrative Support
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk
$50,670median a year
Most earn $36K to $75K
−5.6%Some college
More office and administrative support careers
Median annual pay, with loan interviewers and clerks highlighted
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant$76,590
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant$55,570
- Public Safety Telecommunicator$53,040
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk$50,670
- Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50,610
- Loan Interviewer and Clerk$50,020
- Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47,540
- Teller$43,030
- Receptionist and Information Clerk$38,010
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant | $76,590 |
| Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant | $55,570 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $53,040 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk | $50,670 |
| Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | $50,610 |
| Loan Interviewer and Clerk | $50,020 |
| Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,540 |
| Teller | $43,030 |
| Receptionist and Information Clerk | $38,010 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Loan Interviewer and Clerk appears on
Questions
Loan Interviewer and Clerk: frequently asked questions
How much do loan interviewers and clerks make?
Loan Interviewers and Clerks earn a median of $50,020 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), close to the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $24.05/hr. The middle half earn between $45,120 and $60,600. The top 10% earn $69,770 or more.
How much do loan interviewers and clerks make an hour?
The median hourly wage for loan interviewers and clerks is $24.05 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $50,020 annual median works out to about $4,170 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a loan interviewer and clerk?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of loan interviewers and clerks earn less than $37,330 a year and the bottom quarter less than $45,120 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Which states pay loan interviewers and clerks the most?
The highest state medians for Loan Interviewers and Clerks are District of Columbia ($77,080), Maryland ($59,430), Connecticut ($58,980) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of loan interviewer and clerk earns the most?
BLS does not split loan interviewers and clerks' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $69,770, against a median of $50,020 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are District of Columbia ($77,080), Maryland ($59,430), Connecticut ($58,980).
Do you need a degree to become a loan interviewer and clerk?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Loan Interviewers and Clerks. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 42.9% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
How long does it take to become a loan interviewer and clerk?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for loan interviewers and clerks is a high school diploma or equivalent. Once hired, BLS lists short-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing medium preparation.
Is loan interviewer and clerk a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 2.4% over 2025–2035, a loss of 4,100 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 10,500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a loan interviewer and clerk do?
Financial clerks do administrative work for many types of organizations. A core O*NET task: verify and examine information and accuracy of loan application and closing documents. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Do loan interviewers and clerks work 40 hours a week?
Most work more than 40. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 50% of loan interviewers and clerks usually work more than 40 hours a week, 50% work exactly 40 and 0% work fewer. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a loan interviewer and clerk?
O*NET scores Loan Interviewers and Clerks highest on the Conventional, Enterprising and Social interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of loan interviewers and clerks are women?
Women make up 76.3% of loan interviewers and clerks, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation. 19.0% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 42.5 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.