Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary (2025)
Based on 15,780 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $26,540 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $32,260 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $40,710 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $57,160 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $82,960 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$27K
25th
$32K
Median
$41K
75th
$57K
90th
$83K
Highest Paying States for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $68,800 |
| North Dakota | $64,260 |
| New Jersey | $62,870 |
| Massachusetts | $62,540 |
| Wisconsin | $59,190 |
| Connecticut | $58,430 |
| Illinois | $57,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,580 |
| California | $53,960 |
| Virginia | $52,580 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Louisiana at an average of $68,800 per year, while Virginia has an average of $52,580 — a difference of $16,220. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 15,780 workers were employed as Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officialss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations. The annual mean wage of $53,010 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 27-2023