How Much Do NFL Referees Get Paid?
How much money do NFL referees make? Here’s a look at NFL referee salary and other compensation.
NFL Referee Salaries
NFL referees are paid on a per-game basis and their salaries vary depending on how many years of experience they have. The average salary for an NFL referee is $173,000 per year. However, the highest-paid NFL referee, Gene Steratore, earned $5.4 million in 2019.
How much do NFL referees make?
NFL referees are some of the highest-paid officials in all of sports. In 2019, the average NFL referee salary was $205,000 per year, according to Forbes. The highest-paid NFL referee is Ed Hochuli, who made $4 million in 2019.
To become an NFL referee, you must first be a college football official for at least five years. You must then attend the NFL’s officiating development program, which lasts for seven weeks. At the end of the program, you must pass a written exam and officiate a live game.
How do NFL referee salaries compare to other sports?
In 2019, the average salary for an NFL referee was $205,000, according to Business Insider. This is more than double the average salary for a Major League Baseball umpire, which was $110,000 in 2019, per The Athletic. NBA referees make an average of $375,000 per year, according to Spotrac.
Salaries for officials in major sports have gone up in recent years as leagues have become more lucrative and as the games have become more complex and fast-paced. For example, NFL referees now earn annual salaries that are on par with some professional players. In 2003, the average salary for an NFL referee was just $149,000, according to USA Today.
The highest-paid official in any sport is MLB umpire Joe West, who makes an annual salary of $500,000, per The Athletic. The next highest-paid umpire is Darin Gossellin of the MLB, who makes an annual salary of $425,000.
NFL Referee Benefits
Though most of the focus in the NFL is on the athletes, the officials are important too. They help keep the game running smoothly and keep players safe. NFL referees have a few benefits that come with the job. They get paid well, have great retirement plans, and get to travel.
What benefits do NFL referees receive?
NFL referees are given many benefits.
The first and most obvious benefit is a salary. According to Business Insider, the average salary for an NFL referee is $173,000 per year. This is more than double the average yearly salary in the United States, which is $48,000 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In addition to their salary, NFL referees also receive a pension plan. After 20 years of service, an NFL referee can retire at age 50 and receive an annual pension of $12,000.
Another benefit that NFL referees receive is free travel. They are reimbursed for all travel expenses related to their work, including airfare, hotel stays, and rental cars.
Finally, NFL referees are given a generous amount of time off. They work only one day per week during the NFL season, and they have several months off during the offseason.
How do NFL referee benefits compare to other sports?
When compared to other sports, NFL referees have some of the best benefits. They are paid very well and receive great healthcare and retirement packages. In addition, they get to travel to some of the most iconic stadiums in the world and work with some of the most talented athletes in the world. Overall, being an NFL referee is a great gig!
NFL Referee Training and Certification
NFL referees are trained professionals who officiate NFL games. They are responsible for making sure that the game is played fair and within the rules. NFL referees are paid well for their services, but their salaries vary depending on their experience and position.
What training and certification is required to become an NFL referee?
In order to become an NFL referee, you must first complete a training and certification program. The program, which is conducted by the National Football League, takes approximately eight months to complete. During the program, you will learn the rules of the game, officiating mechanics, and game administration. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be certified as an NFL referee.
How does NFL referee training and certification compare to other sports?
While other sports may have different requirements for officials, the NFL has one of the most extensive training and certification programs for its referees. NFL referees must complete a training program that lasts for several weeks, and they must also pass a written exam. After they have completed the training program, they are then eligible to officiate NFL games.
