NFL Referee Salaries Explained
NFL Referees Earn Top Dollars in American Sports
The average salary of an NFL referee is approximately $205,000 per season, making them the highest-paid referees in American sports on a game-by-game comparison [1][2][5]. Unlike other sports, NFL referees receive a flat seasonal salary rather than strictly per-game earnings. However, they may also earn per-game bonuses averaging about $2,500, as well as additional pay for officiating playoff games and the Super Bowl [1].
In comparison, NCAA football referees earn significantly less, averaging around $63,767 per season in the U.S., with significant variation based on location [3]. For lower-level or amateur referees, such as those working in youth or recreational leagues, pay tends to be much lower, often an hourly wage in the range of $12 to $20 per hour depending on the sport and level of play [4]. Other professional sports referees like NBA or MLB officials typically earn salaries between these two ranges but are less publicly documented.
The NFL's high salaries for referees reflect the higher stakes, viewership, and pressure associated with NFL games. Sarah Thomas, the first female NFL official, has become one of the most well-known referees in the league and has paved the way for two other women to join the NFL officiating ranks [6]. In the 2022/23 NFL season, Sarah Thomas, Maia Chaka, and NFL rookie, Robin DeLorenzo make up the league's female officiating team.
Before joining the NFL, potential referees must have at least 10 years of experience as an American Football referee, with five of those covering major college games. Extra certifications and a college degree can help, but performance remains crucial. Officiating legend Walt Anderson, who reportedly took home $250,000 during his final year of refereeing in 2019, is one example of a highly experienced and talented referee [7]. Even a less experienced referee, who takes home the reported average of $205,000 per season, will still bank a whopping $10,250 per game.
The NFL scouts officials, not just playing talent. Becoming a referee involves training, state registration, and jumping through several hoops even at the grassroots level. There are no reports that suggest an NFL referee has ever taken home more than $250,000, but Brad Allen, Craig Wrolstad, and Sarah Thomas are the three active NFL referees who reportedly take home $250,000 annually [8].
References:
- NFL Referees Salaries 2021: How Much Do NFL Referees Make?
- NFL Referees Salaries and Bonuses: How Much Do They Make?
- NCAA Football Referee Salary
- Wisconsin Referee Salaries
- NFL Referees Salary 2024
- Sarah Thomas: The First Woman to Referee an NFL Game
- Walt Anderson
- NFL Referees Salary 2022
Salary for NFL referees, even for an average one, is impressive at approximately $10,250 per game, considering they work only a few games per season. A blog about American sports might discuss the contrasting salaries between NFL referees and those in other sports, such as football (soccer) referees who typically earn much less. As American football (NFL) gains worldwide recognition, one might ponder if the popularity of football and the NFL could potentially influence the salaries of referees in other sports, like the NFL's multi-billion-dollar deal with the Super Bowl streaming partner demonstrates the NFL's economic power in the sports sphere.
