SOC 272023

Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees, and competition judges.

National Median

$38,820

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$38,820

Entry Level (10th pct)

$25,070

Experienced (90th pct)

$93,180

Total Employed

15,080

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$25,070 - $30,920
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$30,920 - $53,560
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$53,560 - $93,180

Highest Paying Locations for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA

$83,580

+115.3% vs national

Massachusetts

$83,570

+115.3% vs national

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

$83,570

+115.3% vs national

West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area

$81,600

+110.2% vs national

Bismarck, ND

$68,550

+76.6% vs national

Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA	$83,580	40
Massachusetts	$83,570	210
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$83,570	120
West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$81,600	N/A
Bismarck, ND	$68,550	80
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$66,570	90
Baton Rouge, LA	$62,090	150
Kentucky	$57,450	70
South Carolina	$57,390	N/A
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$54,170	120
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$53,560	480
Minnesota	$52,630	180
New Hampshire	$52,580	40
Louisiana	$52,320	260
Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI	$51,730	60
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$51,210	580
Fargo, ND-MN	$50,770	30
Maryland	$50,720	50
Madison, WI	$49,920	30
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$49,360	40
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$48,930	40
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$48,660	110
Pittsburgh, PA	$48,470	90
Maine	$48,400	40
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$48,320	800
New Jersey	$47,620	420
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	$47,040	40
Boulder, CO	$47,020	70
Illinois	$47,010	820
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$46,730	150
West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$46,650	50
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$45,930	40
Arizona	$45,240	180
Chico, CA	$45,070	30
Wisconsin	$44,810	280
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$44,630	40
California	$44,590	2,830
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$44,540	100
Virginia	$43,940	380
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$43,860	50
Vermont	$43,860	100
West Virginia	$43,600	60
Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area	$43,300	40
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$43,190	40
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$42,120	350
Colorado	$42,120	910
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$41,790	160
Bend, OR	$41,540	80
Oregon	$41,540	170
Washington	$40,040	430

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials?

The national median annual salary for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials is $38,820, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officialss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officialss is Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA, with a median salary of $83,580.

How much can an experienced Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials make?

Top-earning Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officialss (90th percentile) make $93,180 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.