How much do NFL referees get paid per game?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 23, 2026
Referees receive a season-long fixed fee plus a per-game bonus. Working in a postseason game comes with a sizable salary. The postseason game rate is said to be up to two times higher than the in-season game rate. Referees are said to get up to $1,500 every game, according to reports.
How much do NFL refs get per game?
Although the official figures are not usually revealed publicly, after the last agreement between the league and the NFL Referees Association it was known that in the 2019 season, referees received earnings of $205,000 on average. This equates to around $12,000 per game, a pretty significant figure.
How much do NFL refs make for the Super Bowl?
Money.com reported back in 2018 that officials would likely make about $40,000, and that the range is probably between $30,000 and $50,000.
What is the highest paid referee?
Brad Allen and Walter Anderson are the highest-paid NFL referees for the 2020-21 season.
Are NFL refs paid full time?
NFL referees do not get paid by a per game basis. Instead they get paid a flat rate each season. However, if referees are chosen to work playoff games, they can earn an added bonus of anywhere between $1,500-$5,000.
22 related questions foundHow much does a NFL Waterboy make?
On average, NFL waterboys make $53,000 per year (according to Stack.com). However, that's just the salary for beginners. For professionals, their salary can be higher as any other highest paid NFL waterboy.
Do NFL referees pay for travel expenses?
Do NFL refs Pay Their Own Travel Expenses? Since referees have to spend a lot of time traveling to games throughout the NFL season, they do receive a stipend to cover their travel expenses, but the amount of the stipend is not publicly available.
What is Sarah Thomas salary?
Sarah Thomas is the highest paid female referee bringing in close to $250,000 per year as an NFL official.
What do NFL referees do in the off season?
During the offseason, the NFL holds two clinics to get on the same page with its officials. The first focuses on new rules, physical assessments and administrative changes. The second features written exams, testing their knowledge of the rules, mechanics for their positions and on-field mobility.
How much does a senior NFL referee make?
We've all wondered it at one point: How much do NFL referees make? The answer: It's a big pay day. According to various sites, including FanDuel, the average NFL referee salary was set at $205,000 per year starting in 2019. TWO-HUNDRED-AND-FIVE-THOUSAND-DOLLARS!
How much does a NFL ball boy make?
How much does a Ball Boy make? As of May 4, 2022, the average annual pay for a Ball Boy in the United States is $36,345 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $17.47 an hour.
How much do NBA refs get paid?
How much do NBA referees make per game? According to reliable sources, somewhere between $180,000 and $550,000 is reported to be the average salary of ref. They are paid according to their level of experience. It costs around $600 per match for a rookie official.
Do NFL refs get Super Bowl rings?
The officials get Super Bowl rings just like the players do. They aren't as big as the players' rings, but they are still valuable pieces of jewelry. These rings mean the world to the officials and they wear them with such pride.
How much does a NFL cheerleader make?
According to information from various data sources, the average NFL cheerleader salary is $150 per game day. They also receive about $50 – $75 for one public appearance. The cheerleaders' job is more like performing. To get those sexy and hot performances, they had to go through a lot of things.
Who is the highest paid referee in the NFL?
Who is the Highest Paid NFL Referee? Walt Anderson and Brad Allen were the two NFL referees with the highest reported salaries for the 2020-2021 season, with Sarah Thomas earning the most as a female referee.
How much does a female NFL referee make?
What is this? According to sources, her normal game earning is between $4,000-$5,000 per game, while she makes $10,000 for the Super Bowl playoffs. Altogether, her per year earnings are recorded to be around $250,000 as an NFL official.
Do NFL referees have full-time jobs?
Because all NFL referees and officials are part-time employees, they're forced into a dark period from the end of each season through mid-May. Of course, they're essentially full-time workers during the season.
How many hours a week do NFL refs work?
Ed Hochuli, who heads the NFLRA, goes through a typical NFL week. "It varies a little bit from official to official, depending upon the position," Hochuli said. "I'm a referee and spend about 15 hours a week reviewing video tape.
Do NFL referees work other jobs?
For the majority of officials, being a referee is only their side job. Primary Occupation: Civil litigator at a Phoenix law firm. FYI: He's run 12 marathons and is known to have the build of a pro-athlete himself—Hochuli is 6'1 and 215 pounds.
How much money does an NCAA ref make?
How Much Do College Basketball Referees Make? According to reports, college basketball referees take home an average salary between $58,000 and $72,000. The top officials in the bigger conferences like the SEC, ACC and Big Ten can be paid as much as $2,000 per game, but that number dwindles in smaller conference games.
Why are NFL referees growing beards?
But, this year the NFL relaxed facial hair standards and allowed officials to grow a beard for No Shave November, or “Movember.” Movember is a movement where men don't shave for a month to raise funds for, and bring awareness to, men's health issues and suicide prevention.
How much does SEC referees make?
They do not earn salaries; instead, they are paid per game. The top football conferences, including the Southeastern Conference, pay their officials the highest compensation in the FBS. In the SEC, football officials are typically paid between $800 and $3,000 per game.
Do NFL referees get free tickets?
Community service is encouraged by the NFL. Some referees are given free game tickets to use as incentives for the children they work with during community-centered activities.
Do referees get free tickets?
All free game tickets, signed items such as sneakers, and first-class flights to the games are among the perks. Referees in the NBA are also compensated well, with good medical insurance and retirement plans.
What do refs do during halftime?
At halftime, officials are given the opportunity to communicate in the privacy of the locker room and take time to discuss the events of the first half. The officials can also use that time to refocus and concentrate on making the second half of the game even better.