A loan interviewer and clerk helps customers apply for loans and processes their financial information. You work directly with people, use computers to manage data, and make sure applications meet lending standards. High school education is the typical starting point.
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Loan interviewers and clerks meet with customers to gather information for loan applications. You ask questions, listen carefully, and record details accurately in computer systems. You review applications to check that all required information is complete and complies with lending rules. You communicate with supervisors and colleagues about customer needs and application status. The work involves reading documents, doing math to verify figures, and writing clear notes about each interaction. You help customers understand what they need to provide and answer their questions about the loan process.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Loan Interviewers and Clerks earn a median of $50,020 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 13,300 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most loan interviewers and clerks start with a high school diploma or equivalent. This role is classified as medium preparation, meaning you will learn on the job while developing your skills in customer service, computer systems, and financial processes. Look for entry-level positions at banks, credit unions, or lending institutions. Many employers provide training in their specific systems and lending procedures. As you gain experience, you can move into more specialized lending roles or supervisory positions within the financial services field.
Most people enter this field directly from high school or through entry-level banking positions. If you are deciding where to start and want to map out your path forward, Pathly can map the loan interviewer and clerk path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to find the right next step.
You do not need a license to work as a loan interviewer and clerk, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You like order, accuracy, and clear rules. You are comfortable with computers and detail work. You enjoy helping people and communicating clearly about practical matters.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).