Referee earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level referee earnings begin at:

$37.70 per hour

$78,420 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level referee earnings begin at:

$29.70 per hour

$61,770 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level referee earnings begin at:

$25.85 per hour

$53,770 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level referee earnings begin at:

$21.63 per hour

$45,000 per year

10th percentile

Starting level referee earnings begin at:

$9.13 per hour

$18,990 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Referee salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Kentucky $53,770
New Hampshire $51,450
Ohio $49,710
Maryland $48,860
Illinois $48,220
Florida $48,070
Wisconsin $46,910
Montana $46,230
Minnesota $45,570
Texas $45,020
Connecticut $38,640
Massachusetts $38,510
Louisiana $38,210
Arizona $38,120
Vermont $38,120
Mississippi $38,030
North Dakota $37,870
Kansas $37,590
Washington $37,240
North Carolina $36,420
Tennessee $36,160
California $35,630
Missouri $34,550
Alaska $32,410
West Virginia $30,460
Oregon $30,400
New Jersey $29,970
Colorado $29,820
South Dakota $29,330
Indiana $29,270
Michigan $28,400
Nebraska $28,380
Maine $26,370
South Carolina $25,630
Virginia $25,090
Rhode Island $24,580
New Mexico $23,470
Pennsylvania $22,950
Delaware $22,790
Arkansas $22,270
Iowa $22,220
Oklahoma $20,830
Idaho $18,670
Georgia $18,640
Utah $18,540
Alabama $17,960

How do referee salaries compare to similar careers?

Referees earn about the same as related careers in Kentucky. On average, they make less than fitness coordinators but more than sports writers.

Career Median Salary
Fitness coordinator salary $84K
Physical education teacher salary $61K
Sports scout salary $38K
Referee salary $54K
Athlete salary $49K
Athletic trainer salary $47K
Fitness trainer salary $39K
Sports writer salary $18K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)