Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for umpires, referees, and other sports officials in the United States was $40,710 (— per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,540 | — |
| 25th | $32,260 | — |
| Median | $40,710 | — |
| 75th | $57,160 | — |
| 90th | $82,960 | — |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 27-2023
- Total U.S. employment: 15,780
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
The numbers in context
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $26,540, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $82,960 — a 3.1x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $46,440 | — | +14.1% | 210 |
| California | $44,530 | — | +9.4% | 1,950 |
| Colorado | $44,230 | — | +8.6% | 1,120 |
| Connecticut | $39,530 | — | -2.9% | 200 |
| Florida | $37,070 | — | -8.9% | 280 |
| Georgia | $28,360 | — | -30.3% | 280 |
| Idaho | $32,250 | — | -20.8% | 170 |
| Illinois | $49,070 | — | +20.5% | 690 |
| Indiana | $46,140 | — | +13.3% | 170 |
| Iowa | $43,040 | — | +5.7% | 190 |
| Kansas | $25,780 | — | -36.7% | 0 |
| Kentucky | — | — | — | 290 |
| Louisiana | $50,080 | — | +23.0% | 310 |
| Maine | — | — | — | 180 |
| Massachusetts | $48,400 | — | +18.9% | 250 |
| Michigan | $34,560 | — | -15.1% | 340 |
| Minnesota | — | — | — | 320 |
| Mississippi | $27,060 | — | -33.5% | 60 |
| Missouri | $33,140 | — | -18.6% | 1,240 |
| Montana | $36,370 | — | -10.7% | 60 |
| Nebraska | $31,390 | — | -22.9% | 40 |
| New Jersey | $67,600 | — | +66.1% | 420 |
| New York | — | — | — | 630 |
| North Carolina | $26,540 | — | -34.8% | 400 |
| North Dakota | $63,920 | — | +57.0% | 180 |
| Ohio | $55,040 | — | +35.2% | 580 |
| Oklahoma | $21,900 | — | -46.2% | 220 |
| Oregon | $38,730 | — | -4.9% | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,200 | — | +8.6% | 320 |
| South Carolina | $61,290 | — | +50.6% | 50 |
| South Dakota | $35,260 | — | -13.4% | 80 |
| Tennessee | — | — | — | 380 |
| Texas | $42,920 | — | +5.4% | 650 |
| Utah | $31,430 | — | -22.8% | 1,100 |
| Vermont | $46,080 | — | +13.2% | 80 |
| Virginia | $40,840 | — | +0.3% | 260 |
| Washington | $41,350 | — | +1.6% | 400 |
| West Virginia | $46,490 | — | +14.2% | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $57,000 | — | +40.0% | 300 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $61,010/yr
- Driver/Sales Workers — $38,770/yr
- Billing and Posting Clerks — $48,500/yr
- Bus Drivers, School — $47,920/yr
- Counter and Rental Clerks — $41,300/yr
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants — $32,150/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for umpires, referees, and other sports officials?
The median annual wage for umpires, referees, and other sports officials is $40,710 (— per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays umpires, referees, and other sports officials the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many umpires, referees, and other sports officials are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 15,780 umpires, referees, and other sports officials employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do umpires, referees, and other sports officials make per hour?
The median hourly wage is —. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.