Salary distribution
Where California loan officers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $54,000 and $118,250, with a median of $79,580.
Loan Officers in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 6 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $81,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 2 | $66,298 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $87,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $84,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $200,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Loan Officers in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Irvine | Loan Officer/Assistant Relationship Manager | 2 | $69,160 |
| California Pacific Bank | Loan Accountant | 1 | $72,275 |
| Parkview Financial, LLC a California Limited Liability Company | Underwriter (Director of Comm. Real Estate Loans & Finance) | 1 | $200,000 |
| General Mortgage Capital Corporation | Mortgage Loan Originator | 1 | $84,000 |
| California International Bank, a National Banking Association | Loan Officer | 1 | $96,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Loan Accountant at California Pacific Bank$72,275HaywardWage Level IDecided Sep 25, 2025I-200-25261-317594
- Underwriter (Director of Comm. Real Estate Loans & Finance) at Parkview Financial, LLC a California Limited Liability Company$200,000Los AngelesWage Level IVDecided Jul 31, 2025I-200-25205-197981
- Mortgage Loan Originator at General Mortgage Capital Corporation$84,000IrvineWage Level IIIDecided Apr 14, 2025I-203-25097-838686
- Loan Officer at California International Bank, a National Banking Association$96,000WestminsterWage Level IIDecided Feb 27, 2025I-200-25051-711128
- Loan Officer/Assistant Relationship Manager at Bank Irvine$60,320IrvineWage Level IDecided Feb 20, 2025I-200-25043-688177
- Vice President, Sr. Loan Officer/Portfolio Manager at Bank Irvine$78,000IrvineWage Level IIDecided Jan 3, 2025I-200-24361-572325
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Loan Officers pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Judgment and Decision Making
Technical
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Meet with applicants to obtain information for loan applications and to answer questions about the process.
- 02
Analyze applicants' financial status, credit, and property evaluations to determine feasibility of granting loans.
- 03
Approve loans within specified limits, and refer loan applications outside those limits to management for approval.
- 04
Explain to customers the different types of loans and credit options that are available, as well as the terms of those services.
- 05
Submit applications to credit analysts for verification and recommendation.
- 06
Review loan agreements to ensure that they are complete and accurate according to policy.
- 07
Obtain and compile copies of loan applicants' credit histories, corporate financial statements, and other financial information.
- 08
Review and update credit and loan files.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+1.7%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for loan officers in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Francisco$94,110
- San Jose$81,990
- Los Angeles$80,340
- Sacramento$77,800
- San Diego$77,780
- Riverside$77,680
Compare Loan Officers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Loan Officers in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Loan Officers in California is $79,580.
- How does California compare to the national median for Loan Officers?
- The California median is +9.0% versus the BLS national figure of $73,019.
- What is the salary range for Loan Officers in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $36,880 and the 90th-percentile at $163,580, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Loan Officers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 1.7% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Loan Officers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.