Umpires and Referees

Umpire and referee salaries vary greatly, depending on the sport and the level at which it is played. Typically, the closer an official gets to the top of a professional sports league, the higher the wages, but this is not always the case. For example, some college basketball referees might earn more money than a non-lead official in a less popular professional sport.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports median annual earnings of $38,250 for umpires, referees, and other sports officials in May 2023. Salaries ranged from less than $22,950 to more than $63,410. Those employed in spectator sports earned mean annual salaries of $47,500.

In February 2025, Front Office Sports reported that Major League Baseball umpires earned an average of $1,852 per game. With average annual salaries of $300,000, they were among the top paid officials in North America.

Minor League Baseball umpires earned anywhere from $2,000 to $3,500 per month in 2024, according to Refr Sports.

In the National Football League, referees earned up to $250,000 annually, or $1,000 to $3,000 per game, Front Office Sports reported.

In the National Hockey League, Refr Sports revealed that beginning referees typically earned between $100,000 and $150,000 per year, while the most experienced officials received salaries ranging from $220,000 to $400,000 in 2024.

In the National Basketball Association, referees earned anywhere from $150,000 to $550,000, according to an October 2024 Sports Illustrated article.

In professional sports, umpires and referees are typically given additional money for travel, hotel, and food expenses. These officials also receive extra payment if they are invited to work special events such as the World Series, Stanley Cup Finals, or the Super Bowl.

Umpires and referees at the college, amateur, and youth levels are paid by the game. College football officials may earn between $2,500 and $3,000 per game or more, depending on the sport, and high school and middle school officials earn considerably less.