Sports referee earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level sports referee earnings begin at:

$33.16 per hour

$68,980 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level sports referee earnings begin at:

$17.96 per hour

$37,360 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level sports referee earnings begin at:

$11.82 per hour

$24,580 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level sports referee earnings begin at:

$10.11 per hour

$21,020 per year

10th percentile

Starting level sports referee earnings begin at:

$10.10 per hour

$21,010 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Sports referee salary by state

State Name Average Salary
New Jersey $67,600
North Dakota $63,920
South Carolina $61,290
Wisconsin $57,000
Ohio $55,040
Louisiana $50,080
Illinois $49,070
Massachusetts $48,400
Kentucky $46,930
West Virginia $46,490
Arizona $46,440
Indiana $46,140
Vermont $46,080
California $44,530
Colorado $44,230
Pennsylvania $44,200
Iowa $43,040
Texas $42,920
Washington $41,350
Virginia $40,840
Connecticut $39,530
Oregon $38,730
Florida $37,070
Montana $36,370
South Dakota $35,260
Michigan $34,560
New Hampshire $34,300
Missouri $33,140
Alaska $32,410
Idaho $32,250
Maryland $32,160
Utah $31,430
Nebraska $31,390
Tennessee $30,770
Georgia $28,360
Minnesota $28,170
Mississippi $27,060
North Carolina $26,540
Maine $26,370
Kansas $25,780
Rhode Island $24,580
Delaware $23,710
New Mexico $23,470
Oklahoma $21,900
Alabama $17,960

How do sports referee salaries compare to similar careers?

Sports referees earn 43% less than similar careers in Rhode Island. On average, they make less than fitness and wellness coordinators.

Career Median Salary
Fitness and wellness coordinator salary $102K
Athlete salary $57K
Athletic trainer salary $54K
Sports scout salary $38K
Fitness trainer salary $40K
Sports referee salary $25K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)