How much can you make at an agency lender in Underwriting?

I'm currently an Underwriting Analyst at an agency lender focusing on Small Balance Loans. I really have no idea how much the Underwriters I work with make, no idea how much my bosses make (Deputy Chief Underwriters/Chief Underwriters). Would love to hear some data points to kind of get a gist of how much I can make on this career path. If it helps, I make $75k all-in as a first year analyst in a MCOL city and probably not looking to move anywhere HCOL. Thanks! 

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I'd say that pay is pretty solid for a first year UW analyst. From my experience in agency UW, underwriters make $80-150k and DCU/CUs can make $200k+ based on deal volume/size. I was in your shoes a few years ago and moved to a REPE shop FYI. 

Most UW analysts that do well move to agency production or work on the principal side, as they are more lucrative sides of the biz. Not to knock underwriting tho, I know many people who work in those departments at big time agency shops with a very happy work/life balance. 

 

Thanks - honestly a good chunk of it is from my "target" bonus. I have yet to receive a full bonus payout, so will see what the actual figure ends up being. 

That sounds a little lower than the range I was expecting, but still not bad. I'm not opposed to trying out production eventually but still learning a lot in my current role so want to see where it takes me. I think a few years in credit would serve me will anyways if I decided to try making the switch to production. 

 

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