Do NFL Refs Get Paid?

A look at how much money NFL referees make on average per year.

How Much Do NFL Refs Make?

NFL officials are paid on a per-game basis and earn different amounts based on their experience. In 2019, the average salary for an NFL referee was $205,000. NFL referees also receive benefits, such as a pension plan and 401(k) retirement savings plan.

Per Game

NFL referees make $173,000 a year. The average salary for an NFL player is $1.9 million per year. NFL referees are not paid by the hour, but earn a salary based on years of service. In addition, they also receive a per-game payment for every game they officiate.

As of 2019, the average annual salary for an NFL referee was $173,000. The average salary for an umpire was $116,000, while the average salary for a down judge was $109,000. These figures are all higher than they were in 2018 when the average annual salaries were $166,000 for referees, $112,000 for umpires, and $103,000 for down judges.

In addition to their salaries, NFL referees also receive a per-game payment. In 2019, this was $12,468 per game for the 17 regular season games they officiate. This works out to an extra $211 per game on top of their salary.

So how do NFL referees compare to other professionals? Their salaries puts them in the top 2% of earners in the United States. However, their salaries are not as high as some other professions such as doctors or lawyers.

Per Season

NFL referees are paid an average of $205,000 per season, according to a report from ESPN. NFL officials also receive a pension and 401K plan, and often work other jobs during the offseason to supplement their incomes.

How Are NFL Refs Paid?

NFL referees are paid on a per-game basis and receive different pay rates based on their experience level. In addition to their game pay, NFL referees also receive a pension and health insurance from the league.

Salary

NFL referees are some of the highest-paid officials in all of professional sports. According to Business Insider, the average salary for an NFL ref is $205,000 per year. That’s more than double the average salary for an NHL referee, which is $110,000 per year. And it’s nearly four times the average salary for an MLB umpire, which is $58,000 per year.

Bonuses

In addition to their salaries, NFL referees may receive bonuses. For example, they may receive a bonus for working a playoff game or a Super Bowl. According to Business Insider, NFL refs made an average of $9,000 in bonuses in the 2014 season.

What Other Perks Do NFL Refs Get?

referees for National Football League games are paid handsomely for their services. In addition to their salaries, NFL refs also receive a number of other perks, such as free travel and accommodations. Let’s take a closer look at what NFL refs are paid and what other benefits they receive.

Health Insurance

NFL Refs get health insurance for themselves and their families.

Pension Plan

All NFL referees are part-time employees of the league. According to Forbes, the average salary for an NFL referee was $173,000 as of 2019. However, it’s important to note that veteran officials can make much more than that. For example, retired ref Ed Hochuli, who worked in the league for two decades, had an annual salary of $512,000 in his final season.

In addition to their game fees, NFL referees also receive a pension plan from the league. According to Business Insider, the pension plan gives officials an annual payout of $18,000 per year for every year they worked in the NFL. So, for example, an official who worked in the league for 25 years would receive a pension payout of $450,000 when they retire.

Are There Any Drawbacks to Being an NFL Ref?

Although NFL refs are paid well, there are some drawbacks to the job. One of the main drawbacks is the amount of time they have to spend away from their families. NFL refs also have to be very fit and keep up with the players on the field, which can be challenging.

High Job Turnover

High job turnover is one of the main drawbacks to being an NFL ref. Because the job is so demanding and the pay is relatively low, many refs only stay in the profession for a few years. This high turnover rate can lead to inconsistency in officiating, as each new crop of refs brings its own interpretation of the rulebook.