How Much Money Do NHL Referees Make?

How much money do NHL referees make? We all know that they are an important part of the game, but what is their salary?

NHL Referee Salaries

Entry-level salaries

NHL referees make a base salary of $165,000, while the top earners take home $375,000 per year. However, most NHL officials earn an annual salary somewhere between $211,000 and $260,000.

The specific amount of money an NHL referee make each year depends on a number of factors, including seniority and performance. For instance, newer officials who are still working their way up the ranks will earn less money than more experienced referees. Likewise, officials who consistently make bad calls or fail to control the game may see their salaries reduced.

Veteran salaries

NHL referee salaries have been a topic of debate for many years. How much money do these officials make? Do they get paid enough?

The answer to these questions is not as simple as you might think. NHL referee salaries are not made public, so it is difficult to say definitively how much these officials make. However, we can make some educated guesses based on information that is available.

NHL referees are paid hourly, and their salary depends on their experience level. Veteran referees who have been in the league for many years can earn upwards of $350 per hour. Newer officials, who are often part-time employees, may only make $100 per hour.

So, how much do NHL referees make in a year? It depends on how many games they work and how much overtime they put in. A veteran referee who works 80 games per season (a full-time schedule) and puts in 10 hours of overtime per week could easily earn over $200,000 per year. A newer official working part-time may only earn $20,000-$30,000 per year.

Perks and Bonuses

NHL referees make a great living. Not only do they receive a solid hourly wage, but they also receive generous perks and bonuses. For example, NHL referees receive free travel and accommodations, as well as a per diem to cover meals and other incidentals. In addition, they also receive a pension and health insurance.

Playoff bonuses

In addition to their regular salary, NHL referees and linesmen receive $1,000 for each playoff round they work. If a official works all seven games of the Stanley Cup Finals, he or she will earn an extra $15,000 on top of their salary.

All-Star Game bonuses

In addition to their salaries, NHL referees and linesmen also receive bonuses for working key games during the regular season, such as Stanley Cup playoff games, conference finals and the Stanley Cup Final. They also receive a bonus for working the NHL All-Star Game.

Pension and Retirement Plans

All NHL referees are required to contribute to the pension plan. The pension plan is a retirement savings plan that is funded through the union (NHLOA) and the NHL. The pension plan is a defined benefit plan, which means that the amount of money you will receive at retirement is based on a formula that takes into account your years of service and your average salary.

Defined benefit pension plan

A defined benefit pension plan is a retirement plan in which an employer agrees to make regular payments to a employee, and/or their surviving spouse and/or dependent children. The payments are known as annuities and continue for the life of the employee, and/or their spouse and/or dependent children.

There are two types of defined benefit pension plans: those sponsored by an employer, and those sponsored by a union. Employer-sponsored plans are also known as corporate pension plans, while union-sponsored plans are also known as Taft-Hartley Plans.

The amount of the annuity payment is determined by a formula that takes into account the employee’s years of service and salary history.

401(k) plan

A 401(k) plan is a retirement savings plan sponsored by an employer. It lets workers save and invest a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out. Taxes are not due on the money until it is withdrawn from the account.

401(k) plans can be a great way to save for retirement because:
-The money you contribute is deducted from your paycheck before taxes are taken out, so you save on taxes now.
-The investment earnings in your account grow tax-deferred, which means you don’t have to pay taxes on them until you withdraw the money in retirement.
-Some employers match a portion of the money you contribute, which is like getting free money!

There are some things to keep in mind with 401(k) plans:
-You may be charged fees by the plan administrator and/or investment managers. Make sure you know what fees you’re paying so that they don’t eat into your retirement savings too much.
-You may not be able to access your money until retirement age (usually 59½), but there are some exceptions for hardship withdrawals. If you take money out before then, you will generally have to pay income taxes plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty.
-Required minimum distributions must begin at age 70½, even if you’re still working.

Work Schedule

NHL referees typically work between 50 and 60 hours per week. The regular season schedule runs from October through early April, and the playoffs run from late April through June. During the regular season, each team plays 82 games, and during the playoffs, each team plays at least four games.

Regular season

NHL referees work an 82-game regular season schedule, typically starting in October and ending in early April. They usually work 2-3 games per week and are assigned to games by the NHL’s scheduling department. During the playoffs, they may work up to 7 games per week.

NHL referees are paid based on a per-game basis, and their salary increases as they referee more games each season. In 2018-19, the minimum salary for NHL referees was $1,500 per game, while the most experienced officials earned $3,700 per game.

In addition to their game salary, NHL referees also receive a per diem allowance of $110 for food and incidentals while on the road.

Playoffs

NHL officials make the majority of their money during the playoffs. Like players, officials are paid by the game during the regular season. According to CNBC, referees make an average of $205,000 annually and linesmen make $110,000 per year during the 82-game regular season. When the playoffs come around, though, officials can expect to see a big bump in paychecks.

According to Forbes, NHL officials make an average of $1,900 per game during the first two rounds of the playoffs. That number jumps up to $2,400 per game for the conference finals and $2,700 for the Stanley Cup Final. So, if a referee or linesman works every game of a seven-game series during the Stanley Cup Final, they could take home more than $18,000 just for that series. And that doesn’t even include any bonuses that may be included in their contract.

Training and Certification

If you’re interested in becoming an NHL referee, you’re probably wondering how much money you can make and what the requirements are. NHL referees are paid very well, but it requires a lot of training and certification to get there. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about becoming an NHL referee.

On-ice training

NHL Officials must complete an on-ice training program before being eligible to work regular season games. The on-ice training program is overseen by existing NHL officials and typically lasts six weeks. Trainees are taught the mechanics of officiating and are evaluated on their skating ability, positioning, judgment, rule knowledge and game management skills.

Off-ice training

NHL referees and linesmen go through rigorous off-ice training to maintain their fitness levels and be in top physical condition. They participate in intense on-ice workouts several times a week during the season and take part in skating and strength-training programs.