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Interest rates for the most popular 30-year fixed mortgage averaged around 6.43% in December 2023, according to Zillow data. Rates for 15-year mortgages, which are also relatively popular, were 5.75%.
The average monthly mortgage payment is currently $2,883 for a 30-year fixed mortgage, based on recent home price and mortgage rate data.
Mortgage rates are always changing, and there are a lot of factors that can sway your interest rate. While some of them are personal factors you have control over, and some aren’t, it’s important to know what your interest rate could look like as you start the process of getting a home loan.
Most experts believe that mortgage rates will go down in 2024.
Average mortgage rates today
While average mortgage and refinance rates can give you an idea of where rates are currently at, remember that they’re never a guarantee of the rate a lender will offer you. Mortgage interest rates vary by borrower, based on factors like your credit, loan type, and down payment.
To get the best rate for you, you’ll want to get quotes from multiple lenders.
Average mortgage interest rate by mortgage type
Purchase mortgage
The rates you’ll get on a mortgage used to purchase a home are often better than what you’ll be quoted for a refinance. They generally differ by the loan’s length in years, and whether the interest rate is fixed or adjustable. Two of the most popular types include:
30-year mortgage rates: The most popular type of mortgage, this home loan makes for low monthly payments by spreading the amount over 30 years.
15-year mortgage rates: Interest rates and payments won’t change on this type of loan, but it has higher monthly payments since payments are spread over 15 years. However, it comes with lower rates than a 30-year loan.
Mortgage refinance
Mortgage refinance rates typically differ somewhat from purchase rates, and may be slightly higher — particularly if you’re getting a cash-out refinance, since these are considered riskier.
If you’re considering a refinance, be sure to shop around with the best mortgage refinance lenders and get multiple rate quotes to be sure you’re getting the best deal.
30-year mortgage refinance rates: Refinancing into a 30-year term can lower your monthly payment since you’re spreading out what you owe over a longer period of time.
15-year mortgage refinance rates: Refinancing into a shorter term like a 15-year mortgage will increase your monthly payment, but help you save on interest.
Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
HELOC rates are generally a little higher than rates on first mortgages, but they can still be worth it if you’re looking to tap into your home’s equity without having to take on a new rate on your main mortgage.
As with other types of mortgages, you’ll want to shop around and get multiple rate quotes to find the best HELOC lenders.
Average mortgage interest rate by credit score
National rates aren’t the only thing that can sway your mortgage interest rates — personal information like your credit score also can affect the price you’ll pay to borrow.
See Insider’s picks for the best mortgage lenders »
The higher your score is, the less you’ll pay to borrow money. Generally, 620 is the minimum credit score needed to buy a house, with some exceptions for government-backed loans.
Data from credit scoring company FICO shows that the lower your credit score, the more you’ll pay for credit. Here’s the average interest rate by credit level for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage of $300,000, as of January 2024:
According to FICO, only people with credit scores above 660 will truly see interest rates around the national average.
Average mortgage interest rate by year
Mortgage rates are constantly in flux, largely affected by what’s happening in the greater economy. Things like inflation, the bond market, overall housing market conditions, and Federal Reserve policy impact mortgage rates.
Here’s how the average mortgage interest rate has changed over time, according to data from Freddie Mac.
Throughout 2020, the average mortgage rate fell drastically due to the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis. Rates throughout 2020 and into 2021 were lower than rates at the depths of the Great Recession. Thirty-year fixed mortgage interest rates hit a low of 2.65% in January 2021, according to Freddie Mac. Rates began to rise again in 2022.
Most major forecasts expect rates to start dropping throughout the next couple of years, and they could ultimately end up somewhere in the 5% range.
Average mortgage interest rate by state
Check the latest rates in your state at the links below.
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington, DC West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
How are mortgage rates determined?
Multiple factors affect the interest rate you’ll pay on a mortgage. Some are outside of your control. Others you can influence.
For instance, the federal funds rate — the interest rate banks charge when they lend to each other — has an influence on all sorts of other interest rates, including those on mortgages. The Federal Reserve adjusts the federal funds rate as part of its effort to control inflation. Therefore, it’s a factor that is beyond your control.
Key determining factors that you do have control over include:
Your credit score
Debt-to-income ratio
The amount of your down payment
The type of mortgage you get
The amount of time you take to pay off the loan
What to know before getting a mortgage
A mortgage is a type of secured loan used to purchase a home. You pay back the lender over an agreed-upon amount of time, including an additional interest payment, which you can consider the price of borrowing money.
(You can also pay off your mortgage early, but there are both pros and cons to be aware of.)
Because a mortgage is a secured loan, it means you put your property up as collateral. Should you fail to make your payments over time, the lender can foreclose on, or repossess, your property.
Frequently asked questions about average mortgage rates
A mortgage rate, also known as a mortgage interest rate, is the fee charged by your lender for loaning you money. Your principal (payments on the amount of money you borrowed) and interest are rolled into one payment each month.
In December 2023, 30-year mortgage rates averaged 6.43%, and they’ve been trending even lower this month.
Compared to where rates were just a couple of years ago, a 7% mortgage rate is extremely high. But now, many borrowers who got their mortgage in the last year likely have rates of 7% or higher. Fortunately, rates have eased somewhat in recent months, and are now back below this benchmark.
Average mortgage rates nearly reached 8% in October of 2023, but they’ve since come down. However, rates can vary a lot depending on your finances. If you have a lower credit score, you could still get a rate that’s near 8%. Rates are expected to decrease this year, so we likely won’t see average rates reach 8%.
The last time mortgage rates were at 8% was in August 2000, when the average 30-year mortgage rate was 8.04%, according to Freddie Mac.
The better your credit score, the better the rate you’ll get on your mortgage. To access the best mortgage interest rates, aim to have a credit score at least in the 700s.
Mortgage rates fluctuate all the time. The best way to get a good mortgage rate is to get quotes from at least three different mortgage lenders and compare them. That way, you’ll know you’re likely getting a good rate. If you’re having trouble getting a lower rate, you might want to first take some time to work on your credit or pay down debt.
A discount point is a fee you can choose to pay at closing for a lower interest rate on your mortgage. One discount point usually costs 1% of your mortgage, and it reduces your rate by 0.25%. So if your rate on a $200,000 mortgage is 6.5% and you pay $4,000 for two discount points, your new interest rate is 6%.
Because mortgage interest rates are so individual to the borrower, the best way to find the rates available to you is to get quotes from multiple lenders. If you’re early in the homebuying process, apply for prequalification and/or preapproval with several lenders to compare and contrast what they’re offering.
Mortgage interest rates are expected to fall soon, but when and how much depends on the path of inflation; if price growth continues to slow, rates should fall in the coming months. If inflation remains stubborn, we may have to wait a bit longer. But that doesn’t mean you need to put off your homebuying plans — there are plenty of advantages to buying a house when rates are high, such as decreased competition.
If you spent your teenage years waiting anxiously for one of your siblings to get out of the shower, the idea of selling your spacious, multi-bathroom home and moving into a smaller house or condo may feel like a reversal of fortune.
Yet for many retirees, downsizing makes financial and practical sense. Younger baby boomers — those currently ranging in age from 57 to 66 — made up 17% of recent home buyers, while older boomers — ages 67 to 75 — accounted for 12%, according to a 2022 report from the National Association of Realtors Research Group. Boomers’ primary reasons for buying a home were to be closer to friends and family, as well as a desire to move into a smaller home, the report said. Both younger and older boomers were more likely than others to purchase a home in a small town, and younger boomers were the most likely to buy in a rural area.
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For retirees Fred and Shelby Bivins, selling their home in Green Valley, Ariz., will enable them to realize their dream of traveling in retirement. The Bivinses have put their 2,050-square-foot Arizona home on the market and plan to relocate to their 1,600-square-foot summer condo in Fish Creek, Wis., a small community about 50 miles from Green Bay. They plan to live in Wisconsin in the spring and summer and spend the winter months in a short-term rental in Arizona, where they have family.
Fred, 65, says the decision to downsize was precipitated by a two-month stay in Portugal last year, one of several countries they hope to visit while they’re still healthy enough to travel. “We’ve had Australia and New Zealand on our list for many years, even when we were working,” says Shelby, 68. The Bivinses are also considering a return visit to Portugal. Eliminating the cost of maintaining their Arizona home will free up funds for those trips.
With help from Chris Troseth, a certified financial planner based in Plano, Texas, the Bivinses plan to invest the proceeds from the sale of their home in a low-risk portfolio. Once they’re done traveling and are ready to settle down, they intend to use that money to buy a smaller home in Arizona. “Selling their primary home will generate significant funds that can be reinvested to support their lifestyle now and in the future,” Troseth says. “Downsizing for this couple will be a positive on all fronts.”
Challenges for downsizers
For all of its appeal, downsizing in today’s market is more complicated than it was in the past. With 30-year fixed interest rates on mortgages recently approaching 8%, many younger homeowners who might otherwise upgrade to a larger home are unwilling to sell, particularly if it means giving up a mortgage with a fixed rate of 3% or less. More than 80% of consumers surveyed in September by housing finance giant Fannie Mae said they believe this is a bad time to buy a home and cited mortgage rates as the top reason for their pessimism. “This indicates to us that many homeowners are probably not eager to give up their ‘locked-in’ lower mortgage rates anytime soon,” Fannie Mae said in a statement. As a result, buyers are competing for limited stock of smaller homes, says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst for Realtor.com.
Here, though, many retirees have an advantage, Jones says. Rising rates have priced many younger buyers out of the market and made it more difficult for others to obtain approval for a loan. That’s not an issue for retirees who can use proceeds from the sale of their primary home to make an all-cash offer, which is often more attractive to sellers.
Retirees also have the ability to cast a wider net than younger buyers, whose choice of homes is often dictated by their jobs or a desire to live in a well-rated school district. While the U.S. median home price has soared more than 40% since the beginning of the pandemic, prices have risen more slowly in parts of the Northeast and Midwest, Jones says. “We have seen the popularity of Midwest markets grow over the last few months because out of all of the regions, the Midwest tends to be the most affordable,” she says. “You can still find affordable homes in areas that offer a lot of amenities.”
Meanwhile, selling your home may be somewhat more challenging than it was during the height of the pandemic, when potential buyers made offers on homes that weren’t even on the market. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported in October that mortgage purchase applications slowed to the lowest level since 1995, as the rapid rise in mortgage rates has pushed many potential buyers out of the market. Sales of previously owned single-family homes fell a seasonably adjusted 2% in September from August and were down 15.4% from a year earlier, according to the National Association of Realtors. “As has been the case throughout this year, limited inventory and low housing affordability continue to hamper home sales,” NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement.
However, because of tight inventories, there’s still demand for homes of all sizes, Jones says, so if your home is well maintained and move-in ready, you shouldn’t have difficulty selling it. “The market isn’t as red-hot as it was during the pandemic, but there’s still a lot to be gained by selling now,” she says.
Other costs and considerations
If you live in an area where real estate values have soared, moving to a less expensive part of the country may seem like a logical way to lower your costs in retirement. While the median home price in the U.S. was $394,300 in September, there’s wide variation in individual markets, from $1.5 million in Santa Clara, Calif., to $237,000 in Davenport, Iowa. But before you up and move to a lower-cost locale, make sure you take inventory of your short- and long-term expenses, which could be higher than you expect.
Selling your current home, even at a significant profit, means you will incur costs, including those to update, repair and stage it, as well as a real estate agent’s commission (typically 5% to 6% of the sale price). In addition, ongoing costs for your new home will include homeowners insurance, property taxes, state and local taxes, and homeowners association or condo fees.
Nicholas Bunio, a certified financial planner in Berwyn, Pa., says one of his retired clients moved to Florida and purchased a home that was $100,000 less expensive than her home in New Jersey. Florida is also one of nine states without income tax, which makes it attractive to retirees looking to relocate. Once Bunio’s client got there, however, she discovered that she needed to spend $50,000 to install hurricane-proof windows. Worse, the only home-owners insurance she could find was through Citizens Property Insurance, the state-sponsored insurer of last resort, and she’ll pay about $8,000 a year for coverage. Her property taxes were higher than she expected, too. When it comes to lowering your cost of living after you downsize, “it’s not as simple as buying a cheaper house,” Bunio says
Before moving across the country, or even across the state, you should also research the availability of medical care. “Oftentimes, those considerations are secondary to things like proximity to family or leisure activities,” says John McGlothlin, a CFP in Austin, Texas. McGlothlin says one of his clients moved to a less expensive rural area that’s nowhere near a sizable medical facility. Although that’s not a problem now, he says, it could become a problem when they’re older.
If you use original Medicare, you won’t lose coverage if you move to another state. But if you’re enrolled in Medicare Advantage, which is offered by private insurers as an alternative to original Medicare, you may have to switch plans to avoid losing coverage. To research the availability of doctors, hospitals and nursing homes in a particular zip code, go to www.medicare.gov/care-compare.
At a time when many seniors suffer from loneliness and isolation, a sense of community matters, too. Bunio recounts the experience of a client who considered moving from Philadelphia to Phoenix after her daughter accepted a job there. The cost of living in Phoenix is lower, but the client changed her mind after visiting her daughter for a few months. “She has no friends in Phoenix,” he says. “She’s going on 61 and doesn’t want to restart life and make brand-new connections all over again.”
Time is on your side
Unlike younger home buyers, who may be under pressure to buy a place before starting a new job or enrolling their kids in school, downsizers usually have plenty of time to consider their options and research potential downsizing destinations. Once you’ve settled on a community, consider renting for a few months to get a feel for the area and a better idea of how much it will cost to live there. Bunio says some of his clients who are behind on saving for retirement or have high health care costs have sold their homes, invested the proceeds and become permanent renters. This strategy frees them from property taxes, homeowners insurance, homeowners association fees and other expenses associated with homeownership
The boom in housing values has boosted rental costs, as the shortage of affordable housing increased demand for rental properties. But thanks to the construction of new rental properties in several markets, the market has softened in recent months, according to Zumper, an online marketplace for renters and landlords. A Zumper survey conducted in October found that the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment fell 0.4% from September, the most significant monthly decline this year.
In 75 of the 100 cities Zumper surveyed, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment was flat or down from the previous month. (For more on the advantages of renting in retirement, see “8 Great Places to Retire—for Renters,” Aug.)
Aging in place
Even if you opt to age in place, you can tap your home equity by taking out a home equity line of credit, a home equity loan or a reverse mortgage. At a time when interest rates on home equity lines of credit and loans average around 9%, a reverse mortgage may be a more appealing option for retirees. With a reverse mortgage, you can convert your home equity into a lump sum, monthly payments or a line of credit. You don’t have to make principal or interest payments on the loan for as long as you remain in the home.
To be eligible for a government-insured home equity conversion mortgage (HECM), you must be at least 62 years old and have at least 50% equity in your home, and the home must be your primary residence. The maximum payout for which you’ll qualify depends on your age (the older you are, the more you’ll be eligible to borrow), interest rates and the appraised value of your home. In 2024, the maximum you could borrow was $1,149,825.
There’s no restriction on how homeowners must spend funds from a reverse mortgage, so you can use the money for a variety of purposes, including making your home more accessible, generating additional retirement income or paying for long-term care. You can estimate the value of a reverse mortgage on your home at www.reversemortgage.org/about/reverse-mortgage-calculator.
Up-front costs for a reverse mortgage are high, including up to $6,000 in fees to the lender, 2% of the mortgage amount for mortgage insurance, and other fees. You can roll these costs into the loan, but that will reduce your proceeds. For that reason, if you’re considering a move within the next five years, it’s usually not a good idea to take out a reverse mortgage.
Another drawback: When interest rates rise, the amount of money available from a reverse mortgage declines. Unless you need the money now, it may make sense to postpone taking out a reverse mortgage until the Federal Reserve cuts short-term interest rates, which is unlikely to happen until late 2024 (unless the economy falls into recession before that). Even if interest rates decline, they aren’t expected to return to the rock-bottom levels seen over the past 15 years, according to a forecast by The Kiplinger Letter. And with inflation still a concern, big rate cuts such as those seen in response to recessions and financial crises over the past two decades are unlikely.
Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.
In this episode of NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast, hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner share the best money moves of 2023 as submitted by their fellow colleagues. Some of the highlights include saving aggressively to prepare for future expenses, getting rid of private mortgage insurance, automating finances for budgeting and planning, setting up 529 college savings plans for children, shopping around for the best mortgage rates, and understanding the difference between an emergency fund and a rainy day fund.
Check out this episode on your favorite podcast platform, including:
Episode transcript
This transcript was generated from podcast audio by an AI tool.
Sean Pyles:
If you’re a loyal fan of the show, it’s possible you stay until the very end of each episode and if you do, you always hear us say, “Until next time, turn to the Nerds.” Well, today, dear listener, we are turning the show over to the Nerds. We present the best money moves of 2023 by our fellow Nerds.
Amy Knight:
This year I learned how to explain the effect of compounding using a lovely seasonal analogy, snow. You think of your money like snow. When you spend it, it melts and runs away, but when you save it, any new snowfall sticks to the snow that’s already there.
Sean Pyles:
Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast. I’m Sean Pyles.
Sara Rathner:
I’m Sara Rathner.
Sean Pyles:
This episode finishes off our Nerdy deep dive into the end of 2023. This is it, Sara, the finale of our last series of the year.
Sara Rathner:
The piece de resistance.
Sean Pyles:
Yes. We sent a notice out calling all Nerds, asking for the best things our colleagues did with their money in 2023, and I mean all Nerds, IT, HR, everybody, even the corner office, and today we’re going to share their money wins.
Sara Rathner:
I love this. Before we start, you and I are Nerds, too, right, Sean? Should we start with our money wins for 2023?
Sean Pyles:
I think we should. Sara, give us yours.
Sara Rathner:
Yeah. This sounds like a weird money win, but I have said, on the show before, one of the pieces of advice that I got when I was younger was to save as aggressively as you can for as long as you can because your life will get more complicated as you get older. Well, I have reached the point where my life is complicated and expensive, and I will say that because I had spent those years putting money away as best I could, I had money on hand to do the things that I needed to do this year.
There were some unexpected repairs to our house that we had to do. We ended up replacing our car because we had a baby, and that was probably one of the most expensive things I did in 2023 was pay all those hospital bills, and now I’m paying daycare bills, so this kid will cost me money until he’s 35 and then maybe he’ll be independent by then. We’ll know.
Sean Pyles:
They say you reap what you sow. You had been sowing savings for years and years, and now you are seeing the benefits of that, which is great.
Sara Rathner:
Yeah. What it has allowed us to do, and by us, I mean I say my husband and I, is say yes to the things we need and know that we have the money on hand. That’s really nice when something in your house breaks or there’s something that you want to do like travel or a night out with friends that’s going to cost a lot of money. We can say yes to the things that mean something to us because we spent so long just pocketing and putting money away, living as well below our means as we could. Now, I think we’re living at our means, which is nice.
Sean, what about you? What is your money win for 2023?
Sean Pyles:
Well, it’s a little Nerdy and a little in the weeds maybe, but I got rid of my private mortgage insurance on my house after going into war with the bank that owns my mortgage. It was not a fun process, but I came out the victor, and I’m so proud of myself for that because the bank that owns my mortgage is not very nice. That’s my money win for 2023.
Sara Rathner:
I’m surprised you had to go to war. Isn’t it just like, once you hit 20% equity, you have to refinance, or how does that work?
Sean Pyles:
Oh, yes, they barraged me with a mountain of paperwork and time delays and bureaucratic processes that I actually detailed in a Money Hot Takes episode of Smart Money. I think that you were out on maternity leave, Sara.
Sara Rathner:
Sean Pyles:
Will do. Okay. Great. Well, before we get into the Nerd’s best money moves of 2023, a reminder, dear listener, that we always love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373, that’s 901-730 N-E-R-D, or email a voice memo to [email protected].
All right. Sara, are you ready to hear from our Nerdy colleagues about their best money moves of 2023?
Sara Rathner:
I am. Let’s see what they all learned this year and maybe we could take some of that advice and apply to our own finances.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah. I mean, that’s the idea, so let’s start with the boss. Tim Chen is the founder and CEO of NerdWallet, and he did an energy efficient move this year.
I switched from a Mercedes SUV to a Toyota Sienna. I’m getting twice the gas mileage. I’m using the cheap gas, and I’m paying about a 10th as much every time I service the car.
Sara Rathner:
Well, Sean, it is so true that you really save money on servicing when you don’t have a luxury car. Just getting a new battery or oil filter can be less expensive.
Sean Pyles:
Sara Rathner:
Yeah, new to me, and it’s a hybrid, so the mileage is pretty sweet.
Sean Pyles:
Nice. All right. Well, let’s hear from another Nerd. Skylar Damiano is an IT administrator here at NerdWallet.
Skylar Damiano:
My partner and I are accelerating our marriage to the end of this year because it’ll save us a ton of money in the long run via tax benefits. These are things that we just never thought about when we were single or, even in our case as queer people who never really thought about marriage beyond our domestic partnership, but I’ve also learned that I will never stop learning about the financial world around me. I can’t possibly know everything related to financial wellbeing, but the more I research and the more I practice good habits, the more likely I am to carry those good habits into the future.
One that stuck with me from last year is not spending beyond my means. I now wait until I have funds available before I make a purchase like a new smartphone or a new toy or a hobby that I want to get into. In this case, I want to become a DJ in the next year. I’m not spending any money on that equipment though until I for sure have enough to save on it, because if I have the option to not rely on credit, but instead use my credit card to my advantage via cashback, it’s far more rewarding for me down the line.
Sean Pyles:
Sara, waiting until you have enough money to actually purchase something you want is a timeless piece of financial advice, one of the most basic and most important.
Also, Skylar, I would love to hear a DJ set when you are up and running with your equipment.
Sara Rathner:
This is near and dear to my heart, but utilizing a credit card for points or cashback instead of carrying a balance, that is chef’s kiss. And Skylar wasn’t the only Nerd highlighting this idea. Here’s Tom Lehmann, an account executive for NerdWallet.
Tom Lehmann:
The best piece of financial advice I would have to say is live well below your means. What a lot of people do is, over the course of their career, they tend to make more money, and when that happens, they tend to buy more stuff. They buy a cooler car, bigger house, more clothes, everything. I call that the lifestyle tax. If you really want to take control of your finances, what you have to do is you have to increase the gap between how much you make and what your expenses are.
I think making more money will naturally happen to a lot of people as they progress in their career, so I think the real key is figuring out where you could cut costs and be minimalistic about everything in your life. Just getting rid of stuff and getting out of the habit of buying stupid stuff every time. Every time you buy one thing, you’ve got to get rid of two in your house. That’s a great way to start.
Sara Rathner:
Sean, I think a lot of us often take the opportunity at the end of the year or the start of a new one to get rid of stupid stuff. The harder part is Tom’s advice to get out of the habit of buying stupid stuff in the first place.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah, preaching to the choir, Sara, because I’m sure that I have some stupid stuff on the way to my front door as we speak. All right. Well, let’s hear now from Sally French. She’s a travel writer here, and she’s been on the show before. Here is her takeaway from 2023.
Sally French:
My biggest money lesson is to always ask if your travels go wrong. I was caught up in the United meltdown as well as I had a canceled Southwest flight, and even though I was able to get another flight, I was still delayed. While I wasn’t entitled to any compensation officially, I still asked the airline customer service and I asked nicely, and in both instances, I got either a flight credit or miles from the airline. Even if your travels are disrupted, even if you’re not entitled to compensation, it doesn’t hurt to ask, because like I did, I was able to get some money back.
Sara Rathner:
Love it. Always ask. What do you have to lose? All they can say is no and you’re on your way, or not and you’re stuck at the airport indefinitely, but you could still ask.
Sean Pyles:
Yeah. You’re hopefully on your way unless your flight is canceled twice, but yes, it’s always worth asking. Next up, we have Kevin Berry. He leads multimedia content here at NerdWallet and happens to be my direct boss. You’ve heard his name in the credits of this show as a fact-checker and editor.
Kevin Berry:
I think my big money takeaway from 2023 is that automation of your money can be really, really valuable and super helpful when it comes to budgeting and planning. I spend, whatever, an hour every January looking at everything and the money coming into my checking account, and I had set up all these automated like, “Send this money here. Send this money to an investment account. Send this money to a savings account,” and just set it and forgot about it and let it do its thing this year, and then that has really come back to help me.
For example, the property tax bill showed up, and I was like, “Whoa, it went up, it’s thousands and thousands of dollars,” but then I went to my account that I’d set up for automated savings for property taxes because I knew this bill was coming, right? Kevin in January knew Kevin in November had to pay this bill, and lo and behold, the math held up and there was the right amount of money there, and that just took a lot of stress out of it. Yeah, I think my money lesson is invest in automation for things that you know you’re going to need to pay for or want to pay for, even like a vacation. That’s just been a real stress reliever and time saver on my end in 2023.
Sara Rathner:
Oh, man, Sean, automation can absolutely save your sanity. I have quite a few automated contributions in my own finances. A big one, two big ones, is I automate contributions for my largest expenses, which are my mortgage and daycare, and that comes out of my checking account into a joint savings account. My husband also contributes, and then the money is whisked away by an automatic clearing house once a month or once every other week, depending on the bill.
Sean Pyles:
Lovely. You just need to make sure that the money is actually automatically going into that checking account so it can then be paid elsewhere.
Sara Rathner:
Then there’s automation, obviously, into my retirement account, my 401(k) that I set up at work. If you work for a place where you have to opt into the 401(k) when you first start your job, do it. Because the longer you wait to get that started, the less money you’re able to save up, and you might even be missing out on employer match. If you’re starting a new job or if you have been in your job for a while, but you just haven’t bothered to set up your retirement accounts yet through your employer, maybe make this the year you do that.
Sean Pyles:
Absolutely. Well, I think I’m going to take a page out of Kevin’s book and set up automated deposits into an account for my car’s annual registration, because every year, June Sean curses every-other-month-of-the-year Sean for not saving up for that in advance. Okay. Our next piece of advice is from Hannah Cho. She’s our Nerdy vice president of content.
Hanah Cho:
This year, I’m really proud of finally sending up 529 college saving plans for my two kids. I have three kids, and I have one set up for my oldest, and I finally got around to setting up two for my youngest. I’m really trying to lean into taking advantage of time. They’re still very young where I still have probably 10 to 12 years before they head off to college.
Sean Pyles:
Yes. All of those years of investing and compounding will work wonders. Sara, I know you just had your baby like five minutes ago, but have you set up a 529?
Sara Rathner:
I have, so by the time my kid is 18, he’ll either be well on his way to college or he’ll be fighting in the climate war of 2041.
Sean Pyles:
That’s grim, but probably not inaccurate.
Sara Rathner:
It’s grim, but I want to set him up for a realistic life.
Sean Pyles:
Right. He’ll be able to buy plenty of munitions on the battlefield.
Sara Rathner:
Sean Pyles:
Well, Sara, you weren’t the only Nerd to procreate this year. Adam Smith did as well, and he’s all over the 529 planning.
Adam Smith:
In 2023, my wife and I actually had twin boys, and the first thing that came up once I heard that was knowing that I’ve got to pay for potentially two college educations at the same time, so another thing that crossed my mind was what if one of them goes to college and the other one doesn’t, or what if neither of them go to college? What’s the best way to approach this? We actually found that there’s a change to the 529 plan, which is how a lot of people save for their child’s college education, and so should your child or if one of our twins or both of them decide not to go to college in the future, you can actually roll the 529 plan into a Roth IRA, and the beneficiary of the 529 plan now becomes the owner of that Roth IRA. Traditional Roth IRA rules apply when transferring ownership, but, that being said, it’s a great savings vehicle for college planning or setting up a nice little nest egg for my twins in the future.
Sean Pyles:
You know what, Sara? I love that Adam knows that there are options for his kids, college or no college.
Sara Rathner:
Yes, and this is a huge way to get your kids started on their financial lives regardless of what they do after high school.
Sean Pyles:
All right. Up next is Alison McCoy, VP of brand marketing at NerdWallet.
Alison McCoy:
My husband and I, we’ve officially begun our home-buying process, and one of the best things we did this year was shop around for the best mortgage. I was pretty surprised at the options out there even in this high interest rate environment and feel really confident that we found the right option for us, that makes sure we’re not leaving any money on the table.
Sara Rathner:
Yes, always shop around for just about anything, but especially mortgage rates especially now.
Sean Pyles:
As Alison knows, we have a lot of mortgage and home buying information all over NerdWallet. We have a whole team devoted to that subject matter, and Abby Badach Doyle is a member of that team. Here’s her best money move of 2023.
Abby Badach Doyle:
This year, I learned the difference between an emergency fund and a rainy day fund. People use those terms interchangeably. I know I sure did, so I never really thought about it, but they’re actually two pretty different things. An emergency fund is for big major surprise expenses like major unexpected car repairs, new carburetor, and a rainy day fund is to help you pay for those things that aren’t necessarily emergencies, but are still outside of the scope of your typical monthly budget, like “Wow, the car is dirty after this camping trip. Can we please pay someone to do a deep clean and a full detail?”
Anyway, in our savings account, we’ve always used named sub-accounts for goals like holiday shopping and travel, but then we had this amorphous blob of money that I always felt so weird and guilty tapping into. Even though we’re disciplined savers and there was always enough there, it always just felt weird. This year, I split the blob into separate rainy day and emergency fund accounts, and that took away all of the stress and weirdness. Mentally, it was so helpful to not feel bad about spending money that I knew that we needed to spend on stuff that we knew was coming and to know that we’re still on track with our emergency savings for the bigger, unexpected stuff.
If you haven’t tried naming sub-accounts yet, I highly recommend it, and review the names often to make sure that they’re still working for you. If you need to set a savings goal for your emergency fund, try using an online calculator. NerdWallet, of course, has a great one. And then name that and separate it from your rainy day fund and from the rest of your other savings goals. That might be a small thing, but it was super helpful to me this year, and I hope that it helps you, too.
Sean Pyles:
Sara Rathner:
Sean Pyles:
Sara Rathner:
Sean Pyles:
I feel like we should do a chest bump or a high five after that. Anyway, Sara, do you have an amorphous blob of money that you feel weird and guilty tapping into?
Sara Rathner:
Always with the guilt, but the blob of money is divided into several smaller sub-blobs in the form of a few accounts with different purposes, and that helps me stay organized when it comes to deciding which accounts to use when I need to fund something.
Sean Pyles:
Love it. I mean, it’s no secret to devoted Smart Money listeners that I have many sub-blob accounts that I use on a daily basis. Also, nice call out to our NerdWallet calculators. Okay. On to our final Nerdy piece of advice.
Sara Rathner:
Already? That was fast.
Sean Pyles:
I know. Well, the good news is, Sara, that we’re always here, all of us, all of us Nerds, and we are here for you and our listeners. Our final guest is Amy Knight. She is a spokesperson for NerdWallet UK, and she has a money lesson to share about compound interest and the beauty of snowfall.
Amy Knight:
I have a money lesson to share about compound interest. This year, I learned how to explain the effect of compounding using a lovely seasonal analogy, snow. I think this is a great way to think about saving, and it can be helpful when you’re trying to start taking a longer-term view of your finances.
The lesson is this. You think of your money like snow. When you spend it, it melts and runs away, but when you save it, any new snowfall sticks to the snow that’s already there. New snowfall is your wages, maybe a bonus or holiday gift, an inheritance, maybe you sold an asset. Importantly, snow falls as interest. If you’re not actively saving, new snowfall is not going to stick. It’s going to melt and run straight out of your account.
We see in real life that fresh snow sticks a lot more when there’s already snow on the ground. I’m going to give a shoutout here to my friend Kim in Wisconsin who will soon be shoveling her driveway every day. You start with a thin layer, and as more snow falls, it builds up, and this is very like compounding. Gradually, your snow pile of savings compounds, and the bigger it gets, the more interest sticks to your money. As you watch it grow, you may be less tempted to melt the whole lot on an impulse purchase.
I’d love to know what you think of this analogy, Sean? This winter, if you are able to leave just a little savings in your account after the holidays, think of it like leaving a thin layer of snow on the ground ready for 2024’s snowfall to stick to. Don’t forget the Nerds can help you understand more about saving and investing. To discover how different financial products could work for you, just head to the personal finance section on NerdWallet.com.
Sara Rathner:
Well, that was lovely and spoken like a true spokesperson.
Sean Pyles:
Gotta love the plug. She does that for a living. I also really like this idea of snow as a metaphor for saving and compounding. Not only is it accurate, it’s also very soothing.
Sara Rathner:
Well, I’m closing my eyes here in Virginia, waiting for maybe a snowfall this year that, within minutes, will turn all black and sooty, if we even get snow at all because last year we didn’t.
Sean Pyles:
I’m hoping we get at least a little bit here in the Pacific Northwest. And also, shoutout to Kim in Wisconsin.
All right, and that’s a wrap on our year-end special series for 2023, but never fear, we’ll be back next year. In the meantime, if you have a money question of your own, turn to the Nerds and call or text us your questions at 901-730-6373. That’s 901-730 N-E-R-D. You can also email us at [email protected]. Visit nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode, and remember to follow, rate and review us wherever you’re getting this podcast.
Sara Rathner:
This episode was produced by Tess Vigeland. Sean helps with editing. Kaely Monahan mixed our audio, and a big thank you to NerdWallet editors for all of their help.
Sean Pyles:
Here’s our brief disclaimer. We are not financial or investment advisors. This Nerdy info is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes and may not apply to your specific circumstances.
Sara Rathner:
With that said, until next time, turn to the Nerds, and Happy New Year.
If you’re exploring career options, pharmacy might have popped up on your radar — and for good reason. Not only can pharmacists command a good salary, they also have job security, as the pharmaceutical industry is one that won’t vanish any time soon.
That said, how much does a pharmacist make? Is it worth all the trouble of going through pharmacy school to become one? Let’s find out.
What Are Pharmacists?
You’ve likely picked up a prescription or two at a pharmacy, but maybe you didn’t give any thought to the person behind the counter. This individual is your local pharmacist, and it’s their job to prepare and dispense prescription medications.
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Pharmacist Job Responsibility Examples
In addition to doling out prescription drugs, pharmacists also consult with patients, provide instructions for how to take medications, and help patients find low-cost medications. Some also give health screenings and immunizations.
Keep in mind, a pharmacist often needs to be outgoing, since their work involves speaking with patients throughout the day. If that’s not your personality, you may want to look into jobs for introverts. 💡 Quick Tip: We love a good spreadsheet, but not everyone feels the same. An online budget planner can give you the same insight into your budgeting and spending at a glance, without the extra effort.
How Much Is a Starting Pharmacist Salary?
As with most professions, pharmacists tend to earn more money as they gain more experience. But what is a good entry-level salary for pharmacists?
Pharmacists with less than a year of experience generally earn, on average, about $54 per hour. That’s $112,320 per year.
Of course, how much you actually can earn depends on where you live, what your duties are, and whether you work for an independent pharmacy or a chain. It can also help to research the highest-paying jobs by state.
Recommended: Is a $100,000 Salary Good?
What Is the Average Salary for a Pharmacist?
Now that you see what starting salaries are for pharmacists, let’s address the next question: How much money does a more experienced pharmacist make?
Generally speaking, pharmacists are usually paid by the hour. A pharmacist with 10 years of experience earns an average of $67.05 per hour. That adds up to $139,464 per year.
What Is the Average Pharmacist Salary by State for 2023?
The amount you make will depend on where you live, among other factors. Here’s a look at the average pharmacist salaries by state, from highest to lowest.
State
Salary
California
$161,597
Oregon
$155,710
Washington
$149,466
New Hampshire
$141,041
Nevada
$140,869
Maine
$139,517
Vermont
$137,658
Delaware
$136,276
Maryland
$135,894
Connecticut
$134,175
Alaska
$134,044
Massachusetts
$131,978
Rhode Island
$131,960
New Jersey
$131,698
New York
$131,594
Pennsylvania
$129,724
New Mexico
$129,145
Wisconsin
$128,918
Minnesota
$128,502
Virginia
$128,380
Hawaii
$128,245
Arizona
$126,174
Idaho
$125,760
North Carolina
$125,068
Michigan
$124,768
Colorado
$120,986
Illinois
$120,887
Kansas
$118,122
Ohio
$117,573
Kentucky
$117,448
Indiana
$117,338
Missouri
$116,513
Nebraska
$116,366
Utah
$116,009
South Carolina
$115,570
West Virginia
$115,339
Texas
$115,089
North Dakota
$114,359
Georgia
$114,118
Tennessee
$112,879
Wyoming
$112,326
Montana
$111,924
Iowa
$110,405
Florida
$109,106
Alabama
$106,271
Mississippi
$105,677
Louisiana
$102,542
South Dakota
$100,246
Oklahoma
$98,951
Arkansas
$89,660
Source: Zippia
Recommended: Pros and Cons of Raising the Minimum Wage
Pharmacist Job Considerations for Pay & Benefits
Where you live is one factor that can determine how much you earn as a pharmacist. Your on-the-job responsibilities may also play a role. For example, there are different job titles, and each has its own set of responsibilities, requirements, and salary ranges. Examples include:
• Staff pharmacist
• Pharmacy specialist
• Clinical pharmacist
• Pharmacy manager
• Director of pharmacy
Some pharmacists may have roles and responsibilities beyond filling prescriptions, such as offering immunizations and health screenings. Some may be in charge of hiring and managing other employees. Some may work in traditional pharmacies, while others may work for companies focusing on chemotherapy, nuclear pharmacy, or long-term care.
Recommended: 25 High-Paying Trade Jobs in Demand
Pros and Cons of Pharmacist Salary
While being a pharmacist can be a rewarding job, there are potential drawbacks to keep in mind. Let’s look at some pros and cons.
Pros of Being a Pharmacist
Naturally, the high salary pharmacists tend to command may be one reason to consider this career path. Because many pharmacists get paid by the hour, they’ll be compensated fairly for their time even if they work more than 40 hours a week.
Another perk is that you may have a flexible schedule that allows you to work part-time or during certain hours. There could even be opportunities to work remotely, which may be useful if you’re working in a rural area.
You might also be able to open your own pharmacy instead of working for someone else. This brings freedom and flexibility to you as a business owner.
Finally, you’ll be a valuable member of your community, since it’s your job to help people on their path to wellness.
Cons of Becoming a Pharmacist
If becoming a pharmacist was easy, everyone would do it! For starters, you’ll need to have about six years of education after high school. And the cost of pharmacy school can range anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 a year for an in-state public college, or $20,000 to $95,000 a year for a private school.
Depending on your financial situation, this could require you to tap into savings or take out student loans. (Creating a budget while you’re in school or just starting out can help you keep track of where your money is going. A money tracker app can help make the job easier.)
Another possible drawback? Some pharmacies may not guarantee a certain number of hours a week, and in that case, being paid hourly may not come with the big paycheck you’d expect.
Also keep in mind that some pharmacists work long hours, which can have a negative impact on your health and mental wellbeing. 💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.
The Takeaway
If you’re looking for a rewarding and potentially lucrative job, becoming a pharmacist might fit the bill. You’ll help your local community get healthier, and depending on where you live and your level of experience, you could earn competitive pay, too.
Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights—all at no cost.
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FAQ
What is the highest pharmacist salary?
The state where pharmacists tend to earn the most is California. The average annual income of a pharmacist there is $161,597.
Is it hard to be hired as a pharmacist?
Becoming a pharmacist requires six years of education after high school. The workload is challenging, and pharmacies looking to hire generally have high expectations of applicants.
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It was late 2022 and Mike was feeling the pressure. Mortgage rates had climbed close to the 7% range and he was determined to remain competitive on pricing with rival loan officers in North Carolina.
But there was a problem: pricing exceptions, in which the lender takes the hit, were becoming scarce at his company. So he did what a lot of retail loan officers in the industry were doing — Mike would reclassify a self-generated lead as a corporate-generated lead, thus slashing his compensation from 125 basis points down to as low as 50 bps, giving him a low enough rate to win the client and eventually close the deal. His manager and company bosses knew that he and other LOs were lying about where the lead source came from, he said.
The lower comp rate stung. After Mike paid his loan officer assistant, he was clearing just 40 bps. Still, it was better than nothing. After all, tens of thousands of loan officers had already exited the industry because they couldn’t generate enough business.
“At this time, I didn’t really think of it as an ethical issue,” Mike, whose last name is being withheld for fear of retaliation, told HousingWire in an interview in late November. “But it started to wear on me to where it was like, okay, I’m getting price-shopped left and right. I’m feeling the pressure to cut my pay, because when I do it, and my agent partners, they see that I do that, and then they’ll tell people they refer to me. ‘Hey, he can dig deeper if he really has to.’”
Mike continued: “Well, doesn’t that smack of bad faith if I’m not offering them my best price from jump? I would get people saying to me, ‘I’m not going to go in with you. I don’t feel comfortable with you, because you tried to get me to go for a higher pricing first, and then only offered a better deal once I told you I had another offer.”
Mike said he left that lender in early 2023 as a result of the ‘bucket game’ and refuses to manipulate where lead sources are coming from at his current shop.
“It’s a race to the bottom,” he said of the practice.
Over the past two months, HousingWire has interviewed more than a dozen loan officers, mortgage executives, attorneys and also reviewed several companies’ loan officer contracts and text messages between recruiters and prospects to shed light on the growing issue of pricing bucket manipulation, which critics say distorts market pricing and could represent a violation of fair lending laws.
It’s unknown how many retail lenders are engaged in the practice of falsifying lead sources to lower loan officer pay, but industry practitioners say it’s widespread, and in most cases, reclassifying leads into different pricing buckets before they lock is not permitted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rules under Regulation Z.
It’s also unclear whether the CFPB is policing the practice; HousingWire could find no record of enforcement actions taken, and the agency’s audits are not public record.
Evolution of the LO Comp rule
In the wake of the housing crash in 2008, the CFPB created new rules that reshaped how loan officers were compensated. The architects of the new rules wanted to prevent loan officers from taking advantage of borrowers, which was a common occurrence in the days leading up to the Great Recession.
Under an updated Regulation Z, lenders could no longer pay loan officers differently based on terms of loans other than the amount of credit extended. In theory, this means loan officers provide the same service and pricing on loans, reducing the risk of steering.
“LOs also can’t get paid on proxies, and they define proxies to be pretty straightforward: some factor that correlates to terms over a significant number of transactions, and the LOs have the ability to change that factor,” said Troy Garris, co-managing partner at Garris Horn LLP.
But the CFPB did allow loan officers to be compensated differently based on lead sources, which do not fall under the category of terms or proxies and are neither a right or an obligation.
For example, when an existing customer calls the lender’s call center for a new mortgage or refinance, and the lender redirects the loan to the LO, “the LO gets paid less because it was sourced from the company, and it is less work for the LO,” said Colgate Selden, a founding member of the CFPB and an attorney at SeldenLindeke LLP. When it’s an outside lead, “the LOs generated the lead themselves; they are spending time marketing to new borrowers, so they get paid more.”
Attorneys told HousingWire that in the current marketplace, violations of LO Comp rules can arise when lenders and LOs alter compensation by changing the lead source after the initial contact with the borrower to lower their rate and secure the deals. Regulation Z generally does not allow LOs to change which lead source was used.
But, in today’s competitive market, “I do think there’s an incentive, especially on the LO side, to find ways to do something different – and probably also for companies to decide to take more risk,” said Garris. “We believe this is happening because people are frequently asking if there’s a rule change.”
How the ‘bucket game’ works
LOs who spoke to HousingWire said managers often told them they wouldn’t get pricing exceptions on deals, so if they wanted to gain an edge it would have to come out of their pay. Three loan officers at three different retail lenders described it as a feature of their lender’s business model.
“You feel out a prospective client during the initial conversation, get a sense of whether they know how everything works, if they’ve spoken to another lender, if they’re going to shop you, right? And you quote them the best possible rate you could give them that day, knowing that you’ll put them in a bucket just before lock,” said one Wisconsin-based LO. “It doesn’t really matter what you quote them in the initial conversation as long as you can get it below competitors around lock time…either through a pricing exception or the bucket [manipulation].”
One top-producing California-based loan officer said she was excited when a top 35 mortgage lender tried to recruit her with the promise of multiple pricing buckets. Having the buckets would provide her flexibility that her current lender didn’t offer, she thought at the time.
“What the [recruiting] company told me explicitly was the loan originator, when they go to lock the loan, they check a box – is it self, branch or corp gen? And you only get to check one box, but it’s the loan officer’s choosing, not the branch,” she said. “So the loan originator is choosing, not the branch that says I’m going to give you a lead and this is the comp for it. Not the corporate advertisement or online group that says you’re getting this lead from us and here’s documentation that it occurred and now you’re going to get less comp. It’s the ultimate in legalized fraud. Because it’s not true.”
These days, many lenders have pricing buckets for corporate-generated leads, branch leads, builder leads, marketing service agreement (MSAs) leads, internet leads from aggregators and more. In and of itself, it’s legal, provided the lead really did come from the source and it’s diligently tracked by the lender.
Loan officers and mortgage executives interviewed by HousingWire said some lenders justify the practice of manipulating the buckets by telling LOs it’s legal and they’ve been audited by the CFPB, which has not found any wrongdoing. Several executives accused of the practice declined to comment on the record about pricing bucket manipulation, though they all said they track leads as required and are in full compliance with the law.
Selden, the former CFPB attorney, said that LOs are telling borrowers who complain about high mortgage rates that companies are “running a special offer.” Borrowers are directed to the company’s website, where, by indicating the LO name, they supposedly qualify for a special deal with a lower rate. In reality, at lenders without adequate controls to prevent lead source manipulation, this shifts the source from self-generated to an in-house lead.
LOs interviewed by HousingWire said that in some cases they would be able to change the lead referral source themselves, and in other cases they’d need a manager to alter the lead source in the loan origination system.
While many instances of price bucket manipulation were directed by managers, LOs would also self-select, said Mike.
“Most of the time you don’t have a loan estimate from a competitor, you’re just afraid that you’re going to lose it because you’re so embarrassed about the rate. And that’s why a lot of my comrades… were going to the corporate-generated lead bucket before they even confirmed that they had to. Partly because you wanted to lead with your best price.”
Steve vonBerg, an attorney at law firm Orrick in Washington, D.C., worked as a loan officer and underwriter for seven years. He emphasized the potential trouble for lenders and LOs inaccurately classifying the lead source.
“Often, a [CFPB] examiner would see if the lead channel changed later in the process. That could be legitimate: the borrower starts working with an LO, and it’s a self-sourced lead for that LO, but then decides to buy a home in a different state in the middle of the process; the second LO that it has to be transferred to has now an internal-company referral, and so the lead source would legitimately change,” vonBerg said. “But, if there isn’t a legitimate reason for the lead source changing midstream, that would be fairly easy for an examiner to identify.”
“It’s wrong”
Victor Ciardelli is frustrated by the bucket game. Deeply frustrated. The Guaranteed Rate founder and CEO says he is losing money and loan officers to rivals because of a business practice that he says is flagrantly illegal, pervasive, and does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
Some rival retail lenders, he says, are creating up to a dozen pricing buckets for their loan officers. The tiered nature of the bucket comp structure in many cases — self generated being the highest at up to 150 bps, 100 bps for another ‘bucket,’ 80 bps for another, down to 60 bps, 40 bps and sometimes all the way to zero — proves that it is a deliberate business strategy, he said.
“It wasn’t intended that the loan officer at the time that they’re talking to the consumer and quoting them a rate, that the loan officer can put the consumer in any bucket they want,” he said in an interview with HousingWire. “But that is exactly what’s happening. What’s exactly happening is the fact that there’s all these different pricing buckets for a lot of these different companies out there. And that the loan officer is allowed to go in and offer the consumer whatever rate based on what the loan officer wants.”
He argued that LOs are maximizing their personal income per borrower.
“It’s no different than what happened prior to Dodd-Frank, where it was the wild, wild West and people were playing games with customers on rates and fees,” said Ciardelli. “It’s the same thing today. There’s no difference except the fact that there’s a law in place that tells the mortgage company and the individual loan officer. And the loan officers know that they’re violating the law. It’s greed.”
Ciardelli says the rival CEOs — he declined to name individuals and said it’s an industry-wide problem — are establishing these buckets and know “full well that the bucket is put in place in order to lie about where the lead source is coming from.”
They have an obligation to know where the leads are coming from, that the loan officers are putting them in the appropriate bucket and that they are being tracked, he said.
“The loan officer may take a hit on that loan, and may make less on that loan, but the company themselves doesn’t take the hit, their margin stays the same. So the company CEO is happy, because they’re like, ‘I’m giving my loan officers all this flexibility to go out and be competitive and win deals. And they’re going to win more deals than anybody else out there, because they’re going to be able to slot the individual borrower into these different lead channels. So the individual CEO is making all the money. They’re the ones killing it.”
Ciardelli says he asked about the bucket pricing game and attorneys all told him no, it’s not legal, he said.
“I’ll play by whatever the law is…But when the rules are set up to be a certain way and people are not following the rules, then that’s a problem.”
Two other executives at large retail lenders also said they’ve lost loan officers to competitors who are sanctioning, if not directing, the manipulation of pricing buckets.
“The LOs get told this is legal, it’s just pricing flexibility so they can compete, and they have a compliance team that monitors it,” said one executive at a regional lender in the South. “Obviously that’s not true… What’s happening is they [the lenders] are pricing high and basically forcing the LOs to cut from say 150 [basis points down to 50 [basis points] on some loans because otherwise they just won’t do enough business. It’s a feature, not a bug, as they say. We asked our attorneys if we could do this and they told us absolutely not.”
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is aware of the issue. The organization asked an outside attorney from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP to study the permissibility of the practice. In a letter sent to members in February 2023, Orrick advised MBA members that changing the lead source of a loan after beginning work on the application in order to make a competitive pricing concession “is not permissible.”
The letter has had little meaningful impact, sources told HousingWire. If anything, the practice has increased over the last year.
Fair lending concerns
Another repercussion in the market is that savvy borrowers gain access to lower rates when lead sources are manipulated. Less educated applicants could be quoted higher rates for the same loan, raising concerns about fair lending practices.
But this argument prompts a broader discussion on the efficacy of the LO comp rule, with divergent opinions on the matter.
“I used to be an MLO for seven years. I was in the industry in the 2000s until it melted down, and then I ended up going to law school because I had lost my job. I originated hundreds of loans myself, and personally, I think overall the rule is a good rule,” vonBerg said.
vonBerg elaborated: “Under the old regime, LOs were not incentivized to offer their consumers the best loan and best pricing for them. They were incentivized to give them the loans and pricing where they would make more money. Although it has some issues that should be corrected, I think the LO comp rule makes a lot of sense, in that it removes a gigantic conflict of interest.”
Not everyone shares this viewpoint.
“The LO comp rulewas designed to prevent steering to high-cost loans. And really, those things don’t exist anymore. We can’t put borrowers in homes that they can’t afford,” said Brian Levy, Of Counsel at Katten and Temple, LLP.
According to Levy, the rule creates “a tremendous amount of anxiety for the mortgage lending industry that doesn’t benefit consumers in any meaningful way.”
“The industry is frustrated. They’re unable to easily reduce prices. For example, in the past, before the rule was around, LOs were able to take less as a commission, just like any other salesperson – a car salesperson – to make the deal work. That’s illegal now for loan officers. The mortgage company can make that decision [of lowering their margins and reducing rate], but the loan officer cannot.”
Levy noted that some consider the LO comp rule to be a de facto fair lending rule.
“But we already have fair lending rules. The idea that if the loan officer is discounting their fees, they would end up discounting on a discriminatory basis would already be problematic under existing law, so you don’t need the LO comp rule to make that illegal. It’s already illegal to discriminate in pricing. That said, it’s not illegal for people to negotiate just like you can negotiate a car price.”
The CFPB has also taken issue with other forms of pricing concessions over the last year. In the summer of 2022, the agency reported that pricing exceptions, in which the lender offers a discount, had harmed protected classes, who were less likely to be offered discounts.
Where’s the CFPB?
Multiple sources said the CFPB audits about 20% of mortgage lenders per year, and because of the prevalence of this practice, would undoubtedly have come across lead bucket pricing manipulation by now.
Why there hasn’t been any enforcement to date or whether there’s a future enforcement action is just on the horizon is hard to know.
The CFPB, which is undertaking a broad review of the LO Comp rule, declined to make anyone available to speak on the issue.
“We cannot comment on any ongoing enforcement or supervision matters,” said Raul Cisneros, a Bureau spokesperson. “Those who witness potential industry misconduct should consider reporting it by going here. Additionally, we always welcome stakeholder feedback on any of our rules, including the loan officer compensation rules.”
In early 2023, the CFPB initiated a review of Regulation Z‘s mortgage loan originator rules, which include certain provisions regarding compensation. However, industry experts do not foresee substantial changes or anticipate the CFPB addressing the issue of lead source manipulation.
“In fact, there haven’t been a lot of public enforcement actions by the CFPB in several years [on the LO comp rule]. But having said that, we used to complain that the CFPB was participating in regulation by enforcement, and now they seem to be regulating by supervisory highlights,” Kris Kully, a law firm Mayer Brown partner, said.
The CFPB’s latest move regarding the LO Comp Rule was to issue a supervisory highlight in the summer stating that compensating an LO differently based on whether a loan product was originated in-house or brokered to an outside lender is prohibited.
Industry practitioners said the lack of enforcement from regulators has allowed the pricing bucket manipulation practice to flourish, creating an uneven playing field.
“You have all these companies that all of a sudden are starting to get a free pass,” Ciardelli said. “They’re like, ‘I’m not having any audits. I’m not having anybody come and say anything to me. I mean, nothing’s really happening. I’m pretty much unscathed here.’ And year after year goes by, there’s no auditors, there’s no issues. And then they start to move the needle on how they’re running their business and decisions they’re making. And they have less fear of the government, less fear of the existing rules that are in place, because the rules that were set up are not being enforced.”
Another mortgage executive speculated that the pricing bucket games will come to an end not because of CFPB enforcement, but because loan officers and executives will battle it out in court.
“I’ve got calls from loan officers who feel like they’ve been pushed into a lower commission scale than they thought they were going to get to start with,” he said. “I hired somebody from a well-known lender. When they hired her, they told her, ‘Hey, these are what the rates are and this is what the commission is.’ When she got over there, the rates they were quoting were the lead-based rates, not the hundred-based points they were promising her… I don’t think the enforcement will come from the CFPB. I think it’ll come from some type of lawsuit like that.”
The lasting impact of LOs cutting their comp to win clients and close deals won’t be clear until mortgage rates meaningfully fall for a sustained period.
But many fear that the genie can’t be put back in the bottle.
“We’ve done this so much that they’ve built it into their pricing,” said Mike, the loan officer in North Carolina. “They are pricing things higher, assuming that we’re going to cut our pay, and protect their margins. So to me that’s the bigger issue for us selfishly, is we start doing that, and it’s going to become the norm. The pricing system and everything is going to assume that we’ll do that.”
He mused that RESPA guidelines prohibit an LO from buying a Realtor partner a Big Mac after a closing but lying about a lead source is not policed.
“Personally being an LO, the biggest issue to me is, they’re screwing with us and just… That’s how all these shops are finding a lifeline to keep their doors open. ‘We don’t have to pay them 100 bps, we can just pay them 50, and they’ll take it on the chin.’ And it’s like, yeah, we’ll take it on the chin. Many of us are using the heck out of our credit cards right now to survive. It’s not cool.”
La información de inversión proporcionada en esta página es solo para fines educativos. NerdWallet, Inc. no ofrece servicios de asesoría o corretaje, ni recomienda o aconseja a los inversionistas comprar o vender acciones, valores u otras inversiones en particular.
A medida que nos acercamos al final de 2023, un poco de planificación podría ayudarle a encontrar maneras de reducir lo que usted adeuda en impuestos en abril. Aquí hay siete cosas que debe tener en cuenta.
1. Consulte el estado de su declaración
Los grandes cambios en la vida, como los nacimientos, los fallecimientos y los matrimonios, pueden afectar en gran medida a su declaración de impuestos y a su factura fiscal. Si usted ha tenido un hijo, por ejemplo, es posible que ahora pueda solicitar nuevas deducciones fiscales, como el crédito fiscal por hijos (en inglés), en su próxima declaración.
Si su hijo cumplió 18 años y dejó de percibir algunos beneficios este año, o si usted tuvo un cambio de estado civil, eso también puede influir.
Existen cinco categorías de declaración del Servicio de Impuestos Internos (IRS, por sus siglas en inglés) entre las que puede elegir:
Contribuyente individual: Personas solteras que no reúnen los requisitos para otra categoría.
Cabeza o jefe de familia: Persona soltera que es responsable económicamente de un hijo o familiar adulto que reúne los requisitos.
Casado con declaración conjunta: La mayoría de las parejas casadas presentan la declaración de esta manera.
Casado con declaración separada: Otra opción para las parejas casadas, a veces utilizada por las que más ganan.
Viudo(a) que reúne los requisitos: Alguien que ha perdido a su cónyuge y cuida a un hijo en casa.
2. ¿Deducción estándar o detallada?
Según el IRS, la deducción estándar más simple es mucho más popular: más del 85% de los declarantes utilizaron la deducción estándar en el año fiscal 2018.
Sin embargo, Jody Padar, una contadora pública certificada (CPA, por sus siglas en inglés) de Door County, Wisconsin, dice que la gente comúnmente opta por detallar cuando nuevos hechos o circunstancias en sus vidas les califican para una mayor deducción.
“Podría ser el interés hipotecario”, dice Padar de las razones por las que la gente podría detallar este año. Si usted vive en un estado donde el costo de la vivienda es alto, dice, su interés hipotecario podría hacer que valga la pena que detalle y reclame una mayor deducción.
Si usted ha hecho donaciones a organizaciones benéficas este año, esas contribuciones son deducibles de impuestos si la donación se hizo a una organización calificada: pero tendrá que detallar. Y si aún no ha donado, el plazo para hacerlo en el año fiscal 2023 es el 31 de diciembre.
3. Hacer aportaciones para la jubilación
Si su empresa ofrece un plan de jubilación, como un plan tradicional 401(k) o 403(b), contribuir lo suficiente para tener derecho a la aportación de la empresa es una forma inteligente de completar sus aportaciones del año. No solo es dinero gratis que usted puede destinar a la jubilación, sino que, como las aportaciones suelen hacerse antes de impuestos, también pueden reducir su base imponible.
Las normas fiscales y las ventajas son distintas para las cuentas Roth IRA y Roth 401(k)s, que se financian con dinero después de impuestos. Las aportaciones no son deducibles de impuestos, pero no tendrá que pagar impuestos sobre los retiros autorizados de estas cuentas cuando se jubile.
Estas decisiones pueden y deben adaptarse a las circunstancias cambiantes de su vida. Leighann Miko, planificadora financiera certificada con sede en Portland, Oregón, dice: “No existe un enfoque único para hacer contribuciones antes o después de impuestos”.
4. Contribuir a una cuenta de ahorros para la salud
Otra forma de reducir su factura fiscal es contribuir a una cuenta de ahorros para la salud (HSA, por sus siglas en inglés). Las HSA permiten ahorrar para cubrir gastos médicos calificados.
Las aportaciones a las HSA están exentas de impuestos y pueden ayudar a reducir la base imponible. Algunos ejemplos de gastos calificados son los medicamentos con receta, los tratamientos oftalmológicos y dentales y las visitas al médico.
Sin embargo, no todo el mundo cumple los requisitos. Su empresa debe ofrecer un plan de salud con deducible alto y acceso a una HSA, y usted no puede estar inscrito en Medicare ni figurar como dependiente en la declaración de impuestos de otra persona.
5. Agotar su cuenta flexible de gastos
Las cuentas flexibles de gastos (FSA) son un tipo de cuenta antes de impuestos que se utiliza para pagar los gastos médicos. Algunas empresas también ofrecen cuentas flexibles de gastos para el cuidado de dependientes (DCFSA) para costear los gastos de cuidado de niños y ancianos. En ambos casos, el dinero sale de su sueldo antes de impuestos, lo que a su vez reduce la base imponible. Esencialmente, no tiene que pagar impuestos sobre la cantidad si va directamente a su FSA o DCFSA (hasta el límite).
Pero los fondos de la FSA y la DCFSA por lo general no se transfieren de un año a otro. Así que si actualmente usted tiene una FSA, asegúrese de verificar los fondos restantes y utilizarlos antes de perderlos en 2024.
6. Utilizar las pérdidas fiscales para reducir las ganancias de capital
Si ha estado invirtiendo activamente en el mercado de valores y tiene pérdidas no realizadas, la recuperación de pérdidas fiscales (en inglés) es una estrategia de inversión que puede ayudarle a reducir los impuestos sobre las plusvalías.
Consiste en vender estratégicamente acciones o fondos perdedores y utilizar las pérdidas para compensar los impuestos sobre plusvalías adeudados. Si sus pérdidas de capital superan sus ganancias, puede deducir hasta $3,000 (o $1,500 si está casado y presenta la declaración por separado).
7. Calcular el monto que se adeuda
Este artículo fue publicado originalmente en NerdWallet en inglés.
If making a move to or within Wisconsin is in your near future, there are some cities to consider at all price points. Here are the 10 cheapest places to live in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin average rent prices
While some cities throughout Wisconsin have experienced a significant increase in rent over the past year, fortunately, most cities have kept their rent increases below double-digit percentages and some rent prices reduced immensely. In fact, Wisconsin as a whole has seen a monthly rent decrease in the last year. Luckily, the average one-bedroom apartment is $1,151 — down 5.7 percent since last year.
The cheapest cities in Wisconsin for renters
Budget-conscious renters can expect to pay between $726 to $1,028 for a one-bedroom apartment in the top 10 cheapest cities in Wisconsin.
If living in one of the most hospitable Midwest states is on your agenda, here are the 10 cheapest cities to live in Wisconsin, based on current one-bedroom rent prices.
10. Waterford
Photo Source: Explore Waterford / Facebook
Average 1-BR rent price: $1,028
Average rent change in the past year: 0 percent
Situated between Milwaukee and Lake Geneva in the southeastern part of Wisconsin is Waterford, a city that includes 1,100 acres of navigable water to enjoy by canoe or kayak. The family-friendly community actively hosts farmer’s markets, golf outings, corn hole tournaments and more to residents.
If you want to live in a tight-knit and community-oriented city, complete with a downtown Heritage District, Waterford is worth exploring.
Find apartments to rent in Waterford Buy a house in Waterford
9. Marshfield
Photo Source: Visit Marshfield / Facebook
Average 1-BR rent price: $975
Average rent change in the past year: 8.9 percent
For those who want a bit of a suburban feel but easy access to cities like Stevens Point, Marshfield provides residents with a great healthcare system through the Marshfield Clinic Health System, strong elementary and high schools and great “Main Street” shopping along Central Avenue, too.
The city even has its own free zoo — the Wildwood Park and Zoo.
Find apartments for rent in Marshfield Buy a house in Marshfield
8. Kronenwetter
Photo source: Village of Kronenwetter, WI / Facebook
Average 1-BR rent price: $971
Average rent change in the past year: N/A
Next on our list of the cheapest places to live in Wisconsin is one that’s really a village in Central Wisconsin called Kronenwetter. The town of Kronenwetter gets its name from Sebastian Kronenwetter — a state legislator and prominent pioneer resident of Marathon County.
Residents enjoy several parks and recreation centers throughout the area and the village serves two public school districts: one that serves students in the northern half of the village and one for the southern half.
The active village residents help plan events ranging from movies under the stars in nearby parks to farmers markets.
Find apartments for rent in Kronenwetter Buy a house in Kronenwetter
7. Waukesha
Photo source: The City of Waukesha / Facebook
Average 1-BR rent price: $970
Average rent change in the past year: -2.5 percent
The city of Waukesha is a rich mix of neighborhoods, offering residents excellent schools, a variety of shopping choices, a diverse industrial base, an active arts community and beautiful parks and recreational amenities.
Just 18 miles west of Milwaukee, Waukesha has an urban suburb feel filled with young professionals and families attracted to the strong school system, parks and restaurants.
Find apartments for rent in Waukesha Buy a house in Waukesha
6. De Pere
Photo source: De Pere Parks, Rec & Forestry / Facebook
Average 1-BR rent price: $894
Average rent change in the past year: 9 percent
Whether you love to go on long walks or hikes, runs, cycling or in-line skating, there is a trail for you to enjoy in De Pere since it has three separate trail systems of almost eight miles to enjoy year-round.
Here, swimmers can enjoy either the VFW Aquatic Facility or Legion Pool. Additionally, in De Pere, art lovers will appreciate the rich public art throughout the city. Moreover, this suburb of Green Bay has its own unique homes and restaurants, schools and shops.
Find apartments for rent in De Pere Buy a house in De Pere
5. Fond Du Lac
Photo source: Fond du Lac County Historical Society / Facebook
Average 1-BR rent price: $789
Average rent change in the past year: -1.4 percent
A family-friendly community with a strong sense of history, Fond du Lac residents enjoy several amenities including a public library and active sporting centers with year-round programming. With all that said, Fond du Lac is a perfect city to call home.
The Fond du Lac County Historical Society helps connect residents to the town’s local history and there are plenty of restaurants and bars for locals and visitors to enjoy.
Find apartments for rent in Fond du Lac Buy a house in Fond du Lac
4. Hales Corner
Photo source: Hales Corners Recreation Department / Facebook
Average 1-BR rent price: $785
Average rent change in the past year: -7.70 percent
Located just over 10 miles from Milwaukee, Hales Corner in the state’s southeastern part has a small suburban feel where it’s easy to meet and get to know your neighbors.
Expect to find great brewpubs, greenery in the form of parks and hiking trails and even a botanical garden here. The Boerner Botanical Gardens features 11 specialty gardens — including a bog walk and rose garden, too.
A one-bedroom apartment in Hales Corner decreased by 7.7 percent since last year. Fortunately for renters here, it’s possible to find an apartment for less than $800 a month.
Find apartments for rent in Hales Corner Buy a house in Hales Corner
3. Merrill
Photo source: City of Merrill, Wisconsin / Facebook
Average 1-BR rent price: $778
Average rent change in the past year: 17.3 percent
Nicknamed “The City of Parks,” thanks to its many parks located throughout Merrill, the city is also home to approximately 10,000 residents. Merrill is on the Wisconsin and Prairie rivers.
The active community hosts several year-round events for its residents, from a farmers market to parades. Since there are so many parks and nearby rivers to enjoy, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities from fishing and kayaking to hiking and birding, too.
Merrill is also home to several businesses included Agra Industries, Church Mutual Insurance Company, Lincoln Wood Products and Merrill Manufacturing.
Find apartments for rent in Merrill
2. Racine
Average 1-BR rent price: $758
Average rent change in the past year: 1.20 percent
Located on the shore of Lake Michigan and just 22 miles south of Milwaukee, Racine takes advantage of its proximity to the lake with many opportunities to enjoy lakefront activities, whether it’s yoga or swimming at one of its popular beaches or canoeing or kayaking.
Art and architecture fans will appreciate having close access to the Racine Art Museum, home to the country’s largest contemporary crafts while visitors from all over the world make the trek to Racine to see the S.C. Johnson’s world-renowned architecture headquarters, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
And, of course, residents have bragging rights to kringle, the oval-shaped Danish pastry produced mostly in bakeries in Racine County. Furthermore, you can’t come to Racine without having a kringle or two.
Its downtown area is charming and filled with independent boutiques and restaurants. In addition to being home to S.C. Johnson, other businesses such as Twin Disc, Modine and In-Sink-Erator have locations in Racine.
Find apartments for rent in Racine Buy a house in Racine
Average rent change in the past year: 13.1 percent
Most people don’t know cranberries grown in the United States come from Wisconsin, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Washington and the Wisconsin Rapids area is well-known as cranberry country.
Besides cranberries, Wisconsin Rapids is an attraction magnet. There is the award-winning Wisconsin Rapids Aqua Skiers, a show waterski team, the Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo and even the Tri-City Curling Club, one of only 80 facilities in the country that offers training and competitions for locals and visitors to enjoy.
Additionally, Wisconsin Rapids is also known for its arts and cultural institutions. A downtown farmers market takes place twice a week from early June through end of September, as well as many unique shopping opportunities and family-operated restaurants, cafes, food trucks and taverns.
Luckily, there is no shortage of fun and activities in the Wisconsin Rapids area and more people flock to this area as a one-bedroom apartment increased in rent by more than 13 percent over the past year. Even with the double-digit increase, it’s possible to find a place for around $726 a month.
Find apartments for rent in Wisconsin Rapids Buy a house in Wisconsin Rapids
The most expensive places to live in Wisconsin
It’s possible to find a one-bedroom apartment in Wisconsin for less than $1,500 a month. Even some of the most expensive places to live in Wisconsin, such as Saint Francis or Kenosha, offer a one-bedroom apartment for $1,469 and $1,436 respectively.
If budget is a concern, here are some of the most expensive places to live in Wisconsin.
Methodology
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory as of June 2021. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
We excluded cities with insufficient inventory from this report.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
I’m always looking for ways to decorate our house while saving money in the process.
Back in November of 1983, I was five months into being a new widow. My first husband, Denny Lippincott, loved the outdoors as much as I do. So, it was no surprise we ended up pretending we lived in northern Wisconsin and furnished our home as such.
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Nursing can be a rewarding career in a couple of important ways. It involves caring for the health of others and helping them through what can be a challenging moment in their lives, which can be satisfying. A nursing degree can mean job stability as well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for nurses will increase at 6% per year, faster than the average career growth. And here’s one other important fact: The average registered nurse salary is at a median of $81,220 per year. Compare that with the median US salary for the same period of $54,132, and you can see that nursing can be a lucrative career, too.
The average nursing salary will vary depending on the type of nursing you do. For instance, there’s the average nurse salary vs. the average registered nurse salary vs. the average nurse practitioner salary. Qualifications and other factors will determine how much you make as a nurse.
Read on to learn more about this important topic. The information that follows can help you decide if nursing is the right career path for you, and, if so, which type of nursing you want to pursue.
Average Salaries for Different Types of Nurses
Wondering, “How much do nurses make?” First, understand that when considering nursing as a career, it’s vital to know about the different types of nurses. Each has its own education and certification requirements.
• A licensed vocational nurse (LVN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) is one of the lowest-paid jobs within the nursing field. Job responsibilities are typically similar for LVN and LPNs. California and Texas use the term LVN, while the rest of the country uses the designation LPN. These positions also have the lowest educational requirements.
While LVN/LPN roles don’t always require a college education, there are usually state-approved training certification programs. Most of these courses take aspiring LVN/LPNs one year to complete, and then they must pass the NCLEX-PN examination for state licensing. How much does a nurse make a year with this kind of credential? The average salary for LVN/LPNs as of 2023 was about $50,580 annually.
• Aspiring registered nurses (RN) typically need a bachelor’s or associate’s degree from an accredited program. There are also some accelerated programs available and some second degree programs for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field.
After successfully completing their chosen coursework, nursing students must then pass the NCLEX-RN exam in order to become a certified RN. In addition, RNs usually must obtain a state license after passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
To drill down on the details here, know that each state has its own licensing board. You may want to research the specific requirements in the state where you plan to practice. How much do RNs make? The average RN salary as of 2023, as noted above, was approximately $88,220 per year. (Below you will find state-by-stage nursing salaries, though not specifically for RNs.)
Next, consider the career of a Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS). This type of nurse has gone a step beyond RN and pursued additional education. At a minimum, you must have a master of science in nursing (MSN) to become a CNS.
A CNS typically trains extensively in a specialty area, such as emergency medicine, oncology, or women’s health. At the end of 2023, the average salary for a CNS was $99,148 annually, which is higher than the RN salary, reflecting the additional education and skills.
• A Nurse Practitioner (NP) holds an advanced degree, but their responsibilities vary slightly when compared with a CNS. For example, in most states, a nurse practitioner is able to prescribe medication, while a CNS is not. The average nurse practitioner salary at the end of 2023 was $124,680 annually. 💡 Quick Tip: Ready to refinance your student loan? With SoFi’s no-fee loans, you could save thousands.
Average Salaries and Location
Here’s another factor that can impact the average nurse’s salary: location. After all, wages and overall cost of living can vary dramatically depending on whether you live in, say, a small town or close to a pricey urban center.
Check this chart to see how average nurse salaries compare state by state. Note that these figures reflect LPN salaries, which are at the lower end of the spectrum, but they can give you an idea of how much nurses make by location. This could be good information to consider when deciding where to practice.
State
Mean Annual Nurse Salary
Alabama
$45,260
Alaska
$66,710
Arizona
$61,920
Arkansas
$45,990
California
$69,930
Colorado
$60,310
Connecticut
$62,620
Delaware
$57,360
District of Columbia
$62,010
Florida
$53,780
Georgia
$50,830
Hawaii
$55,730
Idaho
$54,710
Illinois
$58,840
Indiana
$55,850
Iowa
$51,400
Kansas
$51,700
Kentucky
$49,570
Louisiana
$47,430
Maine
$55,830
Maryland
$60,180
Massachusetts
$68,170
Michigan
$57,180
Minnesota
$54,870
Mississippi
$45,020
Missouri
$49,500
Montana
$52,420
Nebraska
$52,080
Nevada
$63,910
New Hampshire
$63,550
New Jersey
$61,990
New Mexico
$59,400
New York
$57,560
North Carolina
$53,010
North Dakota
$53,080
Ohio
$52,330
Oklahoma
$48,090
Oregon
$66,190
Pennsylvania
$54,520
Rhode Island
$66,770
South Carolina
$51,060
South Dakota
$46,000
Tennessee
$46,540
Texas
$52,850
Utah
$55,790
Vermont
$57,150
Virginia
$52,790
Washington
$69,950
West Virginia
$45,530
Wisconsin
$52,610
Wyoming
$54,880
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Nursing Degree?
The cost of getting a nursing degree varies based on the type of nursing program you choose. Each of the nursing positions listed above requires different degrees and certification.
• The process to become an LVN/LPN generally costs between $1,000 and $5,000.
• Taking an RN two-year associate’s program can cost $3,500 per year at public institutions; $15,470 per year at private schools.
• An alternative is to become an RN through a four-year bachelor’s program. This process works similarly to most other bachelor’s degree programs and typically costs the same as a four-year college or university.
• In addition to having already been an RN, both CNS and NP careers require advanced degrees. Typically, a masters of science in nursing (MSN) is required for both positions, which can cost between $18,000 to $57,000 in total.
• Some choose to further their education, becoming a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). These degrees can be expensive but also have the potential to increase a nurse’s salary. After a master’s degree, expect to pay an additional $20,000 to $40,000, but your nursing salary is likely to rise, too.
There are usually costs beyond nursing school tuition. You’ll likely have to buy textbooks and supplies like a lab coat, scrubs, and a stethoscope. Many programs also charge additional lab fees each semester. Many schools will require nursing students to take out liability insurance and get some mandatory immunizations.
After graduating from your chosen program(s), you’ll also likely want to factor in the cost of licensing and exam fees as you enter the job market. 💡 Quick Tip: When refinancing a student loan, you may shorten or extend the loan term. Shortening your loan term may result in higher monthly payments but significantly less total interest paid. A longer loan term typically results in lower monthly payments but more total interest paid.
Paying for Your Nursing Degree
Becoming a nurse can be a pricey process, depending on the path you choose. But there are options available to help students pay for their nursing degree. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has a database of scholarships for nursing schools. As you may know, scholarships don’t need to be repaid. This can make them an especially valuable resource in making ends meet as a nursing student.
In addition, federal aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans could provide some relief. To apply, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
Student Loan Forgiveness Options for Nurses
There are a number of student loan forgiveness programs available to nurses. Keep in mind that each typically has its own program requirements, so it’s helpful to review them closely to determine whether you qualify.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forgives certain federal Direct loans after 10 years of qualifying, on-time payments. This program is open to borrowers who work for a qualifying organization. You can find details online about qualifying for the PSLF program to see if you could benefit from it.
• The NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program will repay a portion of a nurse’s eligible student loans when they work full time at a Critical Shortage Facility or as a faculty member at a qualifying nursing school. Those accepted by the program are eligible to have 85% of their outstanding loan balances forgiven over a two-year commitment.
• The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program provides loan forgiveness to qualifying nurses who commit to working for two years in clinical practice at a National Health Service Corps site.
Repaying Student Loans after Nursing School
If you borrowed federal or private student loans to help you pay for nursing school, developing a repayment strategy can be valuable. Not only will it set you on a path to repaying your debt, it can teach you valuable budgeting skills as well.
If you don’t qualify for any of the available loan forgiveness options, federal student loans come with a few different student loan repayment plans so you can find the option that works best for your budget.
If you relied on private student loans to help you pay for your tuition at nursing school, you may want to review your repayment terms. Each lender will determine their own terms and conditions for the loans they lend.
As you develop a game plan to help you repay your student loans, one option to consider is student loan refinancing.
When you refinance a loan, you take out a new loan with new terms. This loan can then be used to repay your existing loans. If you borrowed multiple loans, that means you could have the option to consolidate them into one single monthly payment — potentially with a lower interest rate.
However, it’s important to keep in mind a couple of factors:
• You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with a longer term.
• If you are considering refinancing federal student loans, know that they come with an array of benefits and protections that are forfeited if you refinance.
To see how refinancing could impact your student loan, you can take a look at this student loan refinancing calculator.
The Takeaway
Nursing can be a challenging but rewarding profession, and the average nurse salary could provide a well-paying career. How much do RNs make? The typical salary currently tops $88,000. There are different kinds of nursing degrees and positions, so it’s wise to do your research to understand what each one requires and which might best suit your needs. Also, financing your education as a nurse can also need research to understand the obligation and how you might fund it.
Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.
With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.
SoFi Student Loan Refinance If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.
SoFi Loan Products SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
When considering colleges, admissions rates can seem like the biggest hurdle. But as acceptances roll in and you begin to look at tuition rates, you may see a huge difference between in-state and out-of-state options.
If you’re considering out-of-state schools, tuition can be much more expensive than it is for in-state students. In some cases, it may seem more on par with what you might have expected to pay for private schools.
Does that mean you should exclusively look within your state? That depends on your goals, finances, and what you want out of your college experience. Some people decide to go out of state for programs that aren’t offered in local institutions, some are drawn to a new adventure, and some the opportunity to move away from home.
Regardless of where your first choice college may be, understanding the financial implications of your decision can help you decide on financial aid packages and know what you’re getting into, finance — wise, before you make a final decision.
What Does Out-of-State Tuition Mean?
As you decide which colleges you’ll apply to, you may have public and private colleges on your list. Public colleges are colleges that are funded by a state and receive significant public funds, including taxpayer dollars, to function. Private colleges are not owned by the state and are privately held, with funding coming from tuition, research grants, endowment funds, and charitable donations.
Private colleges do not differentiate their tuition plans based on residency. Public colleges and universities, on the other hand, rely on tax dollars, so they do base their tuition plans on residency. That’s because residents are already “paying” for the university or college through their tax dollars. Out-of-state students, who are not paying local or state colleges, are given a higher price tag.
Whether you’re applying in-state or out-of-state, it’s important to remember that the “price tag” of college tuition is independent of any financial aid, scholarships, loans, or grants you might have available.
Recommended: Private vs. Public College: What to Know When Deciding
Lowering the Bills on Out-of-State Tuition
Out-of-state tuition can cause sticker shock — and may lead to sizable loans. According to Education Data, the average cost of tuition at a public out-of-state college or university is $26,382. In-state tuition averages around $9,212 for the same degree. This number is independent of additional costs, such as housing and books.
While the sticker shock is real, there may be some workarounds that open up your options without piling on unnecessary expenses.
Reciprocal Tuition and Tuition Exchanges
Some states, such as Wisconsin and Minnesota, offer what’s called reciprocal tuition — in-state tuition offered for residents of both states. There are also some tuition exchanges and discount programs.
For example, the New England Board of Higher Education offers a tuition break program that offers discounts to New England residents when they enroll in another New England college. This savings may be as much as $8,000. Certain rules and restrictions apply. For example, you may have to prove the degree you wish to receive is not offered within public universities in your state.
Speaking with your guidance counselor or your financial aid office may be helpful in determining whether these types of programs are available and eligible for you.
Becoming a Resident
“Residency” for in-state tuition isn’t as simple as moving into the dorms. Residency rules vary by state and university. In some cases, residency requires that individuals live in the state for at least twelve months, be financially independent (if your parents/guardians aren’t living in the same state), and have “intent”— i.e., there’s a reason why you’re living in-state beyond just attending school. In some cases, intent to remain in a state can include getting a driver’s license, filing taxes, or registering to vote in that state. States may have differing requirements for defining intent, so it can be worth confirming requirements for the state in which you plan to attend school.
Because residency rules can be strict, establishing residency may not make sense for everyone. But if you’re considering grad school or are going to undergrad as an independent or nontraditional student (someone who doesn’t fit the mold of a recent high school graduate attending college), then it may make sense to establish residency first. This can also help you familiarize yourself with the university and assess whether it’s where you want to spend the next few years.
Starting at Community College
If you have your heart set on a pricey out-of-state school, one way to potentially save is to begin your education at a community college. Like public colleges and universities, community colleges receive government subsidies that can make tuition more affordable. By commuting to a community college and obtaining general education credits, you can then potentially transfer to an out-of-state institution to finish your education and potentially minimize loans.
Considering aid packages
Some private and public schools offer free or reduced-cost college tuition. These “free tuitions” are generally earmarked for students coming from families who make less than a set adjusted gross income, usually around $65,000 per year.
Some public universities also may offer generous scholarship packages to out-of-state students who reflect academic or athletic talent. If you get accepted to a school and receive a financial aid package, it may be worth speaking with the financial aid office to make sure you understand what the package entails. Typically, financial aid packages encompass grants, scholarships, and federal student loans.
Should You Go Out-of-State for College?
There is no right answer when it comes to which college is the best choice for you. But to prepare for college decisions, it can be a good idea to look beyond the honor of admission and consider the financials.
Comparing financial aid packages, assessing additional sources of tuition payment, including family contributions and private scholarships, and assessing how you might pay back your loans can all help you decide the best option for your future and for your wallet. It’s also important to remember that nothing is set in stone.
Regularly assessing your college experience — including the financials — can help determine whether you’re on a path that makes sense for you.
There is no “right” or “wrong” school or path and the right plan for you depends on a variety of factors. Speaking with people who graduated from your prospective school in your intended major can give you an idea of career paths. It can also be helpful to take advantage of any financial aid talk or info session available to get a realistic look at what it may be like when you begin to pay back loans.
The Takeaway
At the end of the day, the best decision for you may be the one that addresses your goals and your finances. Understanding different avenues for tuition discounts, including geographic-based tuition exchanges, can open up avenues to less-expensive degree paths. For some students, including grad students, establishing residency may make sense to obtain in-state tuition.
Tuition is complicated, and scholarships, grants, federal loans, private loans, and family contributions are all part of paying for school. You also may use this time to assess the what-ifs: What if circumstances change and a tuition fee that was possible this year becomes impossible next year due to job loss or other change in circumstance? What sort of private loans are available, and what terms do they offer?
For example, students who did take out student loans for college or graduate school may consider refinancing after they graduate. In some cases, refinancing your student loans can help qualifying borrowers secure a lower interest rate, which may make the loan more affordable in the long-term.
Refinancing federal loans eliminates them from borrower protections, like income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness, so it’s not the right choice for all borrowers.
Assessing the tuition price of each place you’re accepted — and considering private loan options, if necessary — can be an integral factor in making a decision that makes sense for all aspects of the next step in your educational journey.
With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.
SoFi Student Loan Refinance If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.
SoFi Loan Products SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.