Are NFL Referees Full Time?
Contents
A look at whether NFL referees are full time or not.
Who are the NFL referees?
The National Football League (NFL) appoints ranked officials to enforce the rules and maintain order during their football games. These professionals, who are commonly known as referees, ensure that the game is fair and runs smoothly. Although some people may think that being an NFL referee is a full-time job, this is not always the case. In reality, only a small percentage of NFL referees are full-time employees of the league.
The majority of referees working in the NFL today are what are known as “part-time” officials. These individuals typically have other full-time jobs outside of refereeing and only work NFL games on a part-time basis. For example, many part-time NFL officials are also high school or college teachers. Others might work in law enforcement or have other careers unrelated to football.
A small number of referees, however, are considered to be “full-time” officials. These individuals typically work for the NFL on a year-round basis and do not have another full-time job outside of officiating games. Full-time NFL referees typically earn a higher salary than their part-time counterparts and often receive other benefits such as health insurance and a retirement plan.
So, while it is true that some NFL referees are full time employees of the league, most are not. The vast majority of officials working in the NFL today are part-time employees who have other careers outside of refereeing games.
How are NFL referees trained?
All NFL referees are required to have several years of experience officiating football at lower levels before being considered for the NFL. There is no formal training program for NFL referees, but new officials are required to attend a training clinic each year. During this clinic, officials are taught the NFL rulebook and given practical experience officiating NFL games.
What are the NFL referee’s responsibilities?
NFL referees are responsible for officiating professional football games. They enforce the rules of the game and maintain order on the field. NFL referees also work with other officials, such as umpires and line judges, to ensure that the game is played fairly and safely.
In addition to their on-field duties, NFL referees also have several off-field responsibilities. They attend training camps and clinics to stay up-to-date on the latest rules changes and officiating techniques. NFL referees also meet with players, coaches, and team owners to discuss concerns about the game.
Are NFL referees full time?
NFL referees are not full-time employees of the League. Rather, they are classified as “independent contractors.” This means that they are not entitled to many of the benefits that full-time employees receive, such as health insurance and pension plans.
However, this does not mean that NFL referees do not earn a good Living. In fact, the average salary for an NFL referee is $173,000 per year. Of course, this amount can vary depending on experience and seniority. For example, the longest-tenured referees often earn closer to $200,000 per year.
So while NFL referees are not full-time employees of the League, they still earn a very good wage.
How much do NFL referees make?
In 2015, the average salary for all NFL officials was $173,000, according to USA Today. In 2008, the publication reported that first-year referees made $78,000 on average while more experienced officials hauled in $200,000 per year.
However, these figures only reflect game payments and not income from other appearances or side work. It’s unclear how many referees hold other full-time jobs, but it is likely that a good number of them do. Ed Hochuli, for example, is a well-known NFL referee who also works as an attorney in Arizona.
While the majority of NFL referees probably don’t earn enough from their game checks alone to support themselves or their families, it’s possible that some of them are able to supplement their incomes with payments from other appearances or side jobs.