Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 27-2023$40,710
US median (annual)
$53,010
US mean (annual)
$26,540
10th percentile
$82,960
90th percentile
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US Salary Overview
The national median wage for umpires, referees, and other sports officials in the United States is $40,710 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 16,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Before interviews, many candidates work through interview preparation guides for this kind of role.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,540 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $32,260 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $40,710 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $57,160 | Experienced |
| 90th | $82,960 | Senior / highest decile |
Career Essentials
Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $67,600 | $62,870 | 420 |
| North Dakota | $63,920 | $64,260 | 180 |
| South Carolina | $61,290 | $49,960 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $57,000 | $59,190 | 300 |
| Ohio | $55,040 | $49,030 | 580 |
| Louisiana | $50,080 | $68,800 | 310 |
| Illinois | $49,070 | $57,360 | 690 |
| Massachusetts | $48,400 | $62,540 | 250 |
| West Virginia | $46,490 | $45,370 | 50 |
| Arizona | $46,440 | $47,840 | 210 |
| Indiana | $46,140 | $41,720 | 170 |
| Vermont | $46,080 | $45,570 | 80 |
| California | $44,530 | $53,960 | 2,000 |
| Colorado | $44,230 | $47,710 | 1,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,200 | $56,580 | 320 |
| Iowa | $43,040 | $52,480 | 190 |
| Texas | $42,920 | $44,740 | 650 |
| Washington | $41,350 | $44,730 | 400 |
| Virginia | $40,840 | $52,580 | 260 |
| Connecticut | $39,530 | $58,430 | 200 |
| Oregon | $38,730 | $41,550 | 170 |
| Florida | $37,070 | $44,270 | 280 |
| Montana | $36,370 | $40,950 | 60 |
| South Dakota | $35,260 | $38,730 | 80 |
| Michigan | $34,560 | $41,220 | 340 |
| Missouri | $33,140 | $36,860 | 1,000 |
| Idaho | $32,250 | $34,720 | 170 |
| Utah | $31,430 | $35,090 | 1,000 |
| Nebraska | $31,390 | $37,660 | 40 |
| Georgia | $28,360 | $35,640 | 280 |
| Mississippi | $27,060 | $28,810 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $26,540 | $34,980 | 400 |
| Kansas | $25,780 | $37,270 | — |
| Oklahoma | $21,900 | $30,050 | 220 |
Salary data is sourced from BLS OES May 2025. Figures represent gross pay before tax. This page is for reference only.
Recommended Gear & Prep
Negotiating the offer? A salary negotiation guide helps you anchor to the percentiles above.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-07-18