There are currently an estimated 19,300 sports referees in the United States. The sports referee job market is expected to grow by 5.7% between 2024 and 2034.
How employable are sports referees?
CareerExplorer rates sports referees with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 1,100 sports referees.
What’s the supply of sports referees?
The sports referee industry is concentrated in California, Missouri, Colorado
Sports Referee job market by state
| State Name | Employed Sports Referees |
|---|---|
| California | 1,950 |
| Missouri | 1,240 |
| Colorado | 1,120 |
| Utah | 1,100 |
| Illinois | 690 |
| Texas | 650 |
| New York | 630 |
| Ohio | 580 |
| New Jersey | 420 |
| North Carolina | 400 |
| Washington | 400 |
| Tennessee | 380 |
| Michigan | 340 |
| Pennsylvania | 320 |
| Minnesota | 320 |
| Louisiana | 310 |
| Wisconsin | 300 |
| Kentucky | 290 |
| Georgia | 280 |
| Florida | 280 |
| Virginia | 260 |
| Massachusetts | 250 |
| Oklahoma | 220 |
| Arizona | 210 |
| Connecticut | 200 |
| Iowa | 190 |
| Maine | 180 |
| North Dakota | 180 |
| Indiana | 170 |
| Idaho | 170 |
| Oregon | 170 |
| Vermont | 80 |
| South Dakota | 80 |
| Montana | 60 |
| Mississippi | 60 |
| West Virginia | 50 |
| South Carolina | 50 |
| Nebraska | 40 |