Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Career, Salary and Skills
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $40,710 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 15,780. Wage data is published for 99 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
27-2023.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$40,710
Hourly median
Not published
Employment
15,780
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.62 | 3.12 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.38 | 3.50 |
| Active Listening | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Active Learning | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
- 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.
- 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.
- Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
- Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
- Confer with other sporting officials, coaches, players, and facility managers to provide information, coordinate activities, and discuss problems.
Technology
- Adobe Acrobat
- Database software
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Video editing software
- Web browser software
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in CAMedian $44,530 · Employment 1,950
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in MOMedian $33,140 · Employment 1,240
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in COMedian $44,230 · Employment 1,120
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in UTMedian $31,430 · Employment 1,100
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in ILMedian $49,070 · Employment 690
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in TXMedian $42,920 · Employment 650
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in OHMedian $55,040 · Employment 580
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $51,230 · Employment 550
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $51,600 · Employment 540
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in St. Louis, MOMedian $34,360 · Employment 520
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in Kansas City, MOMedian $37,650 · Employment 490
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in Denver, COMedian $42,350 · Employment 490
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.