Career comparison
Bank Teller vs. Loan Officer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Loan officers earn more at the median ($76,690 vs. $43,030), while bank tellers usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Bank tellers help bank customers with deposits, withdrawals and everyday banking. Loan officers help people and businesses get mortgages and loans, from application to closing.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Bank Teller | Loan Officer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $43,030 ($20.69/hr) | $76,690 ($36.87/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $34,360 – $49,680 | $39,430 – $153,180 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -13.2% (a projected decline) | +1.1% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 26,800 | 17,100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | A few weeks on the job | 3–6 months for mortgage licensing |
| Key credential | Bank teller certificate | NMLS Mortgage Loan Originator license |
| Work setting | Tellers work in bank and credit union branches.. | Loan officers work in banks, credit unions, mortgage companies and from home, meeting clients in offices or virtually. |
What each job does
Bank Teller
- Process deposits and withdrawals
- Cash checks
- Balance the cash drawer
- Spot counterfeit bills and fraud
- Answer account questions
Loan Officer
- Meet with borrowers to understand their goals
- Review credit, income, assets and debts
- Explain loan options, rates and costs
- Take and submit loan applications
- Work with processors and underwriters
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people and working with information. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose bank teller if…
- I’m accurate with money
- I like customers
- I’m trustworthy
Choose loan officer if…
- I like helping people with big decisions
- I’m comfortable with numbers and credit
- I enjoy building relationships
Still torn? Take the Bank Teller fit quiz and the Loan Officer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, bank teller or loan officer?
Loan Officers earn more at the median: $76,690 versus $43,030 for bank tellers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Bank Tellers typically train faster (A few weeks on the job) than loan officers (3–6 months for mortgage licensing).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects loan officers to grow +1.1% from 2025–35, compared with -13.2% for bank tellers.