How Much Does a Referee Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$40,710
Referees in the U.S. earn a median of $40,710 a year. Half of referees earn more than $40,710 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $82,960.
Pay percentiles for referees
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $26,540 |
| 25th | $32,260 |
| 50th (median) | $40,710 |
| 75th | $57,160 |
| 90th | $82,960 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials (SOC 27-2023). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for referees, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for referees
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $67,600 | +66% |
| North Dakota | $63,920 | +57% |
| South Carolina | $61,290 | +51% |
| Wisconsin | $57,000 | +40% |
| Ohio | $55,040 | +35% |
| Louisiana | $50,080 | +23% |
| Illinois | $49,070 | +21% |
| Massachusetts | $48,400 | +19% |
| West Virginia | $46,490 | +14% |
| Arizona | $46,440 | +14% |
| United States | $40,710 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many referees are there?
BLS counts about 15,780 referees employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials”. The most jobs are in California (1,950), Missouri (1,240) and Colorado (1,120).
The mean (average) annual wage is $53,010, higher than the median of $40,710.
Frequently asked questions
How much do referees make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for referees, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $40,710.
Which state pays referees the most?
New Jersey has the highest median wage for referees at $67,600, +66% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for referees?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of referees earn less than $26,540 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.