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Last updated: Aug 03, 2023
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Being an MLB umpire is not for the faint of heart. The job includes endless heckling, criticism by coaches and players, and having to make split-second calls with perfect precision. MLB umpires may be among the most disliked figures in all sports, so it figures that the league would compensate them well. Read more to learn how much an MLB umpire makes during a season.
Table of Contents
- MLB Umpire Salary
- How Much Does an MLB Umpire Make Per Game?
- Travel Benefits
- How Much Do Minor League Umpires Make?
- Salaries Compared to Other Sports
- FAQ
MLB Umpire Salary
For the 2023 season, the average salary for an MLB umpire was $235,000.MLB umpires start out at $2,000-$2,300 per month but slowly increase that amount with growing expertise. The number may seem astronomically high, but there are a few reasons why MLB umpires make so much.
Firstly, MLB umpires may work up to 142 games during the regular season and must closely watch the entirety of the game at hand, which can last three hours or more.In addition, umpires are tasked with making several close calls throughout the game, often on fast-developing plays.The average velocity of a baseball put in play is 87 mph, and players in the field can throw the ball at speeds up to 95-plus mph. Factor in some of the sport’s quickest players flying around the bases, and you end up with many bang-bang plays that require sharp reflexes and immediate rulings from umpires.
Being the home plate umpire offers an even tougher task, as that crew member must call balls and strikes for the entire game. The average MLB game sees nearly 300 pitches thrown, meaning the home plate umpire must make a lot of decisions during a game. Add in 100 mph fastballs and curveballs that snap, and keeping track of the strike zone is no easy feat.
How Much Does an MLB Umpire Make Per Game?
An MLB umpire earns around $1,500-$1,700 per game, depending on their level of experience. However, they are not paid on a per-game basis. Instead, MLB umpires are paid a set salary for the entire season and are expected to officiate as many games as are required. Although MLB umpire salaries are competitive with those in other top professional leagues, the high number of games in a season means that their per-game pay is significantly lower than that of their counterparts in the NFL, NBA, and NHL.
Travel Benefits
In addition to their seasonal salaries, MLB umpires receive a per diem of around $350 per day to cover related expenses. Their travel to road games is covered by MLB, as are their expenses for lodging. On top of these benefits, MLB umpires get around four weeks of vacation during the regular season. While this may seem like a lot, it reflects the amount of rest required to recover from the physical toll of umpiring in the MLB.
How Much Do Minor League Umpires Make?
While MLB umpires are well-compensated, the highest-paid minor league umpires only make around $20,000 per season. Umpires at lower levels of the minor leagues make even less. The minor league per diem is also significantly smaller, at around $60. As a result, many minor league umpires work second jobs while they are climbing the career ladder to the MLB.
Salaries Compared to Other Sports
MLB umpires are responsible for officiating the highest number of games out of any sport, so it makes sense that they get paid the most. While the average salary for MLB umpires is $235,000, officials in the NFL make $190,000, and referees in MLS make only about $40,000 on average.
The only sport where officials are paid more than MLB is the NBA, where the average referee’s salary is $375,000. Though umpires make a lot, their salaries don’t seem as great, considering that the MLB season is twice as long as the NHL and NBA. Whereas an NBA referee can average nearly $5,000 per game, umpires average just $1,500.Though it’s still a handsome paycheck, there’s no denying that umpires have one of the toughest jobs in sports.
FAQ
Who is the highest-paid MLB umpire?
The highest-paid MLB umpire in history was Joe West, with a salary of $450,000.West was one of the most infamous umpires in baseball, as he was the longest-tenured official in the sport prior to his retirement in 2022. However, West received routine criticism from players, coaches, and media members. West umpiredfor Major League Baseball for 45 seasons.Since umpire salary is seniority-based, West currently remains the highest-paid umpire in MLB history, even though he is retired.
How much do MLB umpires make for calling the World Series?
MLB umpires make $20,000 for calling the World Series.Being a World Series umpire is a prestigious honor, and those in the position to do so have the responsibility of officiating the biggest baseball games of the year. Millions of fans tune in to every game, so there are plenty of eyeballs on every call that a World Series umpire has to decide on, making it a very stressful position with very high stakes.
Is an MLB umpire a full-time job?
Yes, being an MLB umpire is a full-time job.Most umpires take a break during the offseason as they get ready for the next year. Since the season is so long and is filled with so many games and related travel, an MLB season can be very taxing on umpires. With a minimum salary of $150,000, umpires are able to live comfortably without a second job.
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