Referees


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Referees

Referees - Wages & Trends

Wages for umpires and referees vary greatly, depending on the sport and the level. Wages are usually highest for officials in top levels of professional sports leagues. For example, the salary for a major league umpire might start at $70,000 or more and go much higher with experience. However, the same umpire must first advance through the minor leagues, earning a much lower salary.

Some officials are paid by the game. For example, officials in the National Football League earn between $2,000 and $4,000 per game. In comparison, a referee for a high school football game might earn $45.

Full-time salaried umpires and referees often receive benefits. Common benefits include sick leave, vacation, and health insurance. Those who work part time do not usually receive these benefits. However, in professional sports, officials may receive other benefits, such as money for travel.

Umpires, referees, and other sports officials (SOC 27-2023)
Location
Pay Period
25%
Median
75%
Illinois Hourly (1) (1) (1)
Yearly $32,399 $37,564 $63,866
    Champaign Area Hourly (1) (1) (1)
Yearly $37,564 $45,879 $78,162
    Cook County Hourly (1) (1) (1)
Yearly $35,036 $36,438 $63,866
    Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area Hourly (1) (1) (1)
Yearly $36,438 $39,839 $63,867
    Edwardsville Area Hourly (1) (1) (1)
Yearly $26,308 $26,308 $33,923
    Peoria-Bloomington Area Hourly (1) (1) (1)
Yearly $33,156 $41,795 $63,401
    St. Louis-Belleville Area Hourly (1) (1) (1)
Yearly $26,488 $37,389 $59,458
United States Hourly (1) (1) (1)
Yearly $28,080 $36,010 $48,610
(1) Wage estimate isn't available.

Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security.