Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials earn a median $40,710 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What umpires, referees, and other sports officials do
Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.2% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 4,300
- Self-employed
- 10%
Employment of umpires, referees, and other sports officials is projected to grow 5.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,705
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,524
- Medicare (1.45%)$590
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$34,890
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,540 | $12.76 | $23,466 |
| 25th percentile | $32,260 | $15.51 | $28,101 |
| Median (50th) | $40,710 | $19.57 | $34,890 |
| 75th percentile | $57,160 | $27.48 | $48,108 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,960 | $39.88 | $67,192 |
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $67,600 | +42.0% | $54,199 | $33,890 – $81,090 | 420 |
| North Dakota | $63,920 | — | $53,540 | $26,900 – $91,040 | 180 |
| South Carolina | $61,290 | +6.8% | $48,906 | $27,180 – $61,290 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $57,000 | +27.2% | $46,253 | $30,820 – $91,200 | 300 |
| Ohio | $55,040 | +109.7% | $45,673 | $23,560 – $62,150 | 580 |
| Louisiana | $50,080 | −4.3% | $41,303 | $31,500 – $141,650 | 310 |
| Illinois | $49,070 | +4.4% | $39,324 | $31,200 – $86,860 | 690 |
| Massachusetts | $48,400 | −42.1% | $38,869 | $32,600 – $126,090 | 250 |
| West Virginia | $46,490 | +6.6% | $38,170 | $18,690 – $67,270 | 50 |
| Arizona | $46,440 | +2.7% | $38,542 | $31,730 – $69,460 | 210 |
| Indiana | $46,140 | +24.5% | $37,922 | $24,690 – $50,810 | 170 |
| Vermont | $46,080 | +5.1% | $38,095 | $35,650 – $61,580 | 80 |
| California | $44,530 | −0.1% | $36,610 | $35,110 – $80,750 | 1,950 |
| Colorado | $44,230 | +5.0% | $36,481 | $32,790 – $68,420 | 1,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,200 | — | $36,338 | $20,800 – $107,360 | 320 |
| Iowa | $43,040 | +26.6% | $35,779 | $27,860 – $104,000 | 190 |
| Texas | $42,920 | +14.1% | $36,666 | $23,670 – $55,990 | 650 |
| Washington | $41,350 | +3.3% | $35,405 | $34,650 – $62,430 | 400 |
| Virginia | $40,840 | −7.1% | $33,461 | $33,020 – $88,460 | 260 |
| Connecticut | $39,530 | +4.6% | $33,089 | $34,010 – $116,650 | 200 |
| Oregon | $38,730 | −6.8% | $30,740 | $30,280 – $54,920 | 170 |
| Florida | $37,070 | +22.8% | $31,966 | $27,970 – $61,380 | 280 |
| Montana | $36,370 | +17.1% | $30,451 | $30,190 – $57,600 | 60 |
| South Dakota | $35,260 | −3.1% | $30,511 | $29,840 – $63,060 | 80 |
| Michigan | $34,560 | +5.0% | $28,731 | $25,960 – $60,660 | 340 |
| Missouri | $33,140 | −11.2% | $28,188 | $28,600 – $50,320 | 1,240 |
| Idaho | $32,250 | +27.8% | $27,492 | $25,490 – $50,090 | 170 |
| Utah | $31,430 | +5.0% | $26,986 | $23,890 – $49,290 | 1,100 |
| Nebraska | $31,390 | −8.7% | $26,830 | $28,080 – $49,040 | 40 |
| Georgia | $28,360 | +0.0% | $24,115 | $19,780 – $70,550 | 280 |
| Mississippi | $27,060 | +17.2% | $23,544 | $27,060 – $36,250 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $26,540 | +5.9% | $22,915 | $17,680 – $67,010 | 400 |
| Kansas | $25,780 | −21.8% | $22,163 | $25,780 – $55,470 | — |
| Oklahoma | $21,900 | −5.4% | $19,205 | $21,740 – $43,310 | 220 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coach and Scout | $47,320 | Bachelor's degree | +6.1% |
| Athlete and Sports Competitor | $66,710 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Choreographer | $55,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
| Music Director and Composer | $73,710 | Bachelor's degree | +1.2% |
| Producer and Director | $90,360 | Bachelor's degree | +4.0% |
| Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer | $39,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.7% |
| Floral Designer | $37,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.6% |
| Photographer | $44,660 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Craft Artist | $46,080 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockey | $47,340 | Bachelor's degree | -7.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a umpires, referees, and other sports officials make?
The national median salary for umpires, referees, and other sports officials is $40,710 a year ($19.57 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $26,540 and the top 10% earn over $82,960. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays umpires, referees, and other sports officials the most?
New Jersey has the highest median pay at $67,600.
How many umpires, referees, and other sports officials are there in the U.S.?
About 15,780 people work as umpires, referees, and other sports officials nationwide.