Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

SOC code 27-2023 · O*NET-SOC 27-2023.00 · Little to some preparation needed

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$40,710

a year

Hourly

—

per hour

10th$26,540Median$40,71090th$82,960

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$53,010

— per hour

Middle 50%

$32,260 – $57,160

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$26,540 – $82,960

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

15,780

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $26,540; —/hr
25th percentile: $32,260; —/hr
Median percentile: $40,710; —/hr
75th percentile: $57,160; —/hr
90th percentile: $82,960; —/hr

Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34

+6%

Growing faster than average

19,300

jobs in 2024

20,400

projected for 2034

About 1,100 more jobs

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.

What do umpires, referees, and other sports officials do?

Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees, and competition judges.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
Judge performances in sporting competitions to award points, impose scoring penalties, and determine results.
Inspect game sites for compliance with regulations or safety requirements.
Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
Verify scoring calculations before competition winners are announced.
Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
Start races and competitions.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 43% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)43%
Less than a High School Diploma24%
Bachelor's Degree14%
Post-Secondary Certificate10%

Common questions

How much does an umpires, referees, and other sports officials earn?

The national median is $40,710 a year. The full range runs from $26,540 at the 10th percentile to $82,960 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become an umpires, referees, and other sports officials without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Is umpires, referees, and other sports officials in demand?

Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 6% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Speaking3.6/5
Critical Thinking3.4/5
Active Listening3.3/5
Monitoring3.1/5
Reading Comprehension3.0/5
Active Learning3.0/5
Learning Strategies3.0/5

Knowledge areas

English Language3.4/5
Education and Training2.9/5
Administration and Management2.9/5
Customer and Personal Service2.7/5
Psychology2.5/5

Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.