The NFL doesn’t release salary figuresfor referees or other NFL officials. However, Sporting News,the oldest sporting publication in the United States,reported that the average salary for referees was $205,000 per season as of 2019. Because the season now has one additional week — the league moved to a 17-game season instead of 16 in 2021 — that amount could have gone up.
A $200,000 annual salary might seem like a lot for what is considered a part-time job, but NFL refs work hard for their money. The following provides insight into how much NFL refs are paid and some of what they do besides officiating to earn that paycheck.
What Is an NFL Referee’s Salary?
The reported average annual salary of $205,000 for NFL refs is likely not too far off the mark. It is estimated that Brad Allen, the 2nd highest-paid ref in the NFL during the 2021-2022 season, earned $250,000, which includes his per-game bonuses. Byron Boston, the 10th highest-paid NFL referee, reportedly makes $205,000 annually.
How Much Do NFL Refs Make per Game?
Sporting News says refs are not paid per game. Instead, they earn a flat salary for the seasonand may receive per-game bonuses and bonuses for officiating playoff games and the Super Bowl. The average pay-per-game bonus for a ref is estimated to be $2,500.
How Much Do Super Bowl Refs Get Paid?
A report from Money.com in 2018 said the bonus officials receive for working the Super Bowl could be between $30,000 and $50,000, although it is a well-kept secret and has been the subject of much speculation.
Who Is the Highest-Paid NFL Referee?
The highest-paid NFL referee reportedly is Brad Allen. Walt Anderson did top the list up until the end of the 2021-2022 season when he retired. Both refs made about $250,000 for the 2021-2022 season.
Is Being an NFL Official a Full-Time Job?
Field officials are part-time employees, and many hold other jobs. Veteran referee Ronald Torbert, for example, juggled his work as an attorney with his long career as an official in high school, college and finally the NFL, until he retired from practicing law in 2019. He was the referee for Super Bowl LVI.
NBC Sports said that, as part-time NFL employees, officials do not receive insurance benefits. They are members of the NFL Referees Association, have a collective bargaining agreement and can enroll in a 401(k) plan with a partially matching contribution.
What Experience Does an NFL Official Need?
The NFL has155officials on its roster —from the referees to judges to replay officials— and it’s a select group. The league’s officiating department is charged with working with local, state and collegiate officiating groups to develop a pipeline to the NFL, but it’s a long process.
The NFL has scouts across the country looking for officials at lower levels of the game who have the potential to advance, and about 4,000 officials have been identified. Once they have caught the eye of the NFL office, their progress is monitored, and they might be invited to take part in the NFL Officiating Development Program. Officials in major college conferences seem to have the best chance of moving up.
What Do NFL Referees Do Besides Officiate?
A common question is, “how much do NFL refs make?” A better question is, “how much do NFL refs work?” Fans may assume officials only work on game days through the football season. But NFL refs and all other officials also work during the preseason and between regular season games.
During the off-season, officials must attend training clinics to prepare for the upcoming season. This preparation includes both written and physical evaluations. Officials also attend preseason training camps to practice officiating practices and games.
During the season, officials review the previous week’s game footage. Referees, also known as the crew chiefs, often have preparation to do on top of reviewing the previous week’s game. They scout the two teams they will face in the coming week to report back to the other officials on things to watch for during game time.
NFL Officials Work Hard for Those Coveted Positions
On average, an NFL referee oversees 154 plays in an NFL game. The NFL Officiating Department reviews every call an NFL official makes or fails to make. Officials who make too many erroneous calls or miss a high percentage of calls may be demoted. But the best-performing officials get the privilege of officiating the playoff games and possibly the Super Bowl while earning attractive bonuses.
Jami Farkas contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information is accurate as of Oct. 17, 2022.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Does an NFL Referee Make?
As an enthusiast with in-depth knowledge of the NFL and its officiating dynamics, I can provide valuable insights into the salary structures and responsibilities of NFL referees. Now, let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
-
NFL Referee Salary:
- The NFL does not publicly release salary figures for referees or officials.
- Sporting News reported an average salary of $205,000 per season for referees as of 2019.
- The move to a 17-game season in 2021 could potentially increase the average salary.
-
Individual Referee Salaries:
- Brad Allen, the second highest-paid ref during the 2021-2022 season, reportedly earned $250,000, including per-game bonuses.
- Byron Boston, the tenth highest-paid NFL referee, reportedly makes $205,000 annually.
-
Payment Structure:
- Referees are not paid per game but receive a flat salary for the season.
- They may receive per-game bonuses and additional bonuses for officiating playoff games and the Super Bowl.
- The average pay-per-game bonus for a referee is estimated to be $2,500.
-
Super Bowl Referee Compensation:
- The bonus for officials working the Super Bowl is not publicly disclosed but is speculated to be between $30,000 and $50,000.
-
Highest-Paid NFL Referee:
- Brad Allen is reportedly the highest-paid NFL referee, earning around $250,000 for the 2021-2022 season.
-
Nature of the Job:
- NFL field officials are part-time employees; many hold other jobs.
- Officials do not receive insurance benefits but are members of the NFL Referees Association and have a collective bargaining agreement.
- They can enroll in a 401(k) plan with a partially matching contribution.
-
Qualifications and Selection:
- The NFL has 155 officials on its roster, including referees, judges, and replay officials.
- Officials are selected through a rigorous process that involves scouting lower levels of the game, monitoring progress, and participation in the NFL Officiating Development Program.
-
Off-Season Responsibilities:
- Officials attend training clinics during the off-season, which includes both written and physical evaluations.
- Preseason training camps are held to practice officiating practices and games.
-
Regular Season Responsibilities:
- Referees review the previous week's game footage and scout the teams they will officiate in the coming week.
- Crew chiefs have additional preparation tasks, such as reporting on things to watch for during the game.
-
Performance Evaluation:
- NFL officials oversee an average of 154 plays in a game.
- The NFL Officiating Department reviews every call, and officials making too many errors may face demotion.
In summary, NFL referees have a demanding job that extends beyond game days, involving rigorous training, preparation, and ongoing performance evaluation. The compensation structure includes a flat salary, per-game bonuses, and additional bonuses for officiating playoff games and the Super Bowl.
