Average Loan Officer Salary in Illinois

Loan officers evaluate, authorize, and recommend approval of loan applications for individuals and businesses. They work for banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, and online lenders, guiding borrowers through the application process and underwriting requirements. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $67,430 for loan officers, with top earners in mortgage banking and commercial lending exceeding $130,000 through commission-based compensation structures. As the primary interface between borrowers and lending institutions, loan officers combine financial analysis skills with sales and relationship-building ability.

In Illinois, loan officers earn an average of $70,812 per year as of 2026, with salaries ranging from $47,026 for entry-level roles to $100,662 for the most experienced professionals — +1.2% above the national average. Pay is influenced most by compensation structure — commission-only originators in high-volume markets earn the most; salaried bank officers earn more predictably, production volume — in mortgage banking, basis-point override structures mean top producers earn multiples of average earners, and the specific metro area within Illinois.