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Last updated: Aug 23, 2023
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Refereeing an NHL game is undoubtedly an intense and exciting experience, but how much do NHL referees actually earn for supervising games? As with many other sports, the professional salaries of NHL referees are not widely known, but looking at the data about them reveals that most professional hockey referees earn a respectable living from their sport. Here, we will examine the salaries of rookie and veteran NHL referees, how salaries differ between types of referees, and also compare them to the earnings of other referees in the sports world.
Table of Contents
- How Much Does an NHL Referee Make?
- Average Referee Salary
- Highest and Lowest Referee Salary
- Do NHL Referees Get Paid Per Game?
- Do Different Types of NHL Referees Earn Different Salaries?
- How Do NHL Referee Salaries Compare to Other Sports?
- Do NHL Referees Make Extra During the Stanley Cup Finals?
- FAQ
How Much Does an NHL Referee Make?
In contrast to most other sports, the NHL is known for having a rather small number of referees. In each season of professional hockey, the league employs 33 full-time NHL referees and 35 linesmen, as well as nine part-time referees.With this in mind, what do these referees earn each year?
Average Referee Salary
As with any field, the salary of an NHL referee often depends on the referee’s level of experience, with inexperienced referees making less money than their more veteran counterparts.According to statistics, the average salary for a first-year full-time NHL referee is around $200,000.From there, an NHL referee’s salary will increase as they gain experience.
Highest and Lowest Referee Salary
The low end of full-time referee salaries sits at approximately $165,000, while at the high end, some referees can make $360,000.However, certain veteran referees with many years of experience can make even more.For example, a referee who has been with the NHL for 15 years may earn as much as $430,000 each year.
The average salary of an NHL referee is much higher than that of the average worker, but it nonetheless represents only about 10% of the salary made by a professional NHL player.In comparison to referees, NHL players earn a salary of roughly $3 million a year, on average.
Do NHL Referees Get Paid Per Game?
NHL referees earn an annual salary for their work, meaning that they do not get paid per game, as many other referees do, but rather make a predetermined amount of money for the season.
However, when considering that each NHL referee works about 73 games each season, it is possible to determine the amount they make “per game” by dividing their salary by 73.Therefore, an NHL referee who makes $200,000 per year would be earning approximately $2,740 per game, while a higher-paid referee with a salary of $360,000 per year would make around $4,932 per game.
Do Different Types of NHL Referees Earn Different Salaries?
NHL referee salaries do not only vary by experience but also by position. There are two types of referees in the NHL, full-time referees and linesmen.Full-time referees, who are responsible for being on the ice and watching the entirety of the game, generally make the salaries described above.Linesmen, however, perform different services and are particularly responsible for watching the center and blue lines on the ice, looking for violations.
In general, NHL linesmen make a bit less than full-time referees.A first-year linesman will make around $137,000, in contrast to a first-year salary of $165,000-$200,000 for a full-time referee.A veteran linesman can make anywhere from $228,000 to as much as $235,000.
In addition to full-time referees and linesmen, each NHL game also employs standby officials, who can be called up onto the ice in the event of an injury or other issue with an acting referee.Standby referees generally earn a flat fee of $1,000 for simply being in the stadium, and if they are called onto the ice, that fee rises to $2,750.A standby linesman receives $650 for being present at a game and $1,775 for being called up to officiate.
How Do NHL Referee Salaries Compare to Other Sports?
In comparison to other professional sports referees, NHL referees make similar, and often larger, salaries.For example, the average salary for an NFL referee is $205,000 per year, lying somewhat between the average $165,000-$360,000 starting salary for an NHL referee.
Meanwhile, NHL referees make similar earnings to NBA Basketball referees, who make anywhere from $250,000-$500,000 per year based on experience.However, one sport that NHL referees do not come close to in terms of salary is baseball.On average, an MLB Umpire can make around $450,000 per year, much more than even some veteran NHL referees.
Do NHL Referees Make Extra During the Stanley Cup Finals?
NHL referees can make anywhere from $20,000 to as much as $27,000 extra per playoff round for supervising postseason gamessuch as the Stanley Cup Finals.Meanwhile, NHL linesmen also make playoff bonuses, coming in at approximately $17,250 per round.
FAQ
How much do NHL hockey refs make?
Full-time NHL hockey referees have been reported to make between $165,000 and $360,000 per year, depending on experience.Linesmen range between $110,00 to $235,000 per year. In comparison, NHL players make a minimum of $775,000 per year, with the highest-paid player making over $15 million per year.
Is an NHL referee a full-time job?
NHL referees are full-time employees, unlike some other major sports leagues, where referees are considered part-time workers.As a result of their full-time status, NHL referees receive an annual salary, benefits, and travel stipends from the league.These benefits allow them to maintain the busy travel schedules they face when officiating their 73 games each hockey season.
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In the realm of ice hockey refereeing, the financial aspect is often shrouded in mystery. However, diving into the intricacies of NHL referee earnings is a realm I'm well-versed in. Let's dissect the key concepts within the article:
1. NHL Referee Salaries:
- Average Salary: Rookie NHL referees start around $165,000 to $200,000, while experienced ones can fetch up to $360,000 per year.
- Experienced Veterans: Those with 15+ years' tenure might pocket $430,000 annually, showcasing the rewards of longevity and expertise.
2. Per Game Payments:
- NHL referees don't receive payments per game; instead, they earn fixed annual salaries. However, breaking it down, a $200,000 yearly salary equates to roughly $2,740 per game for a referee officiating 73 games.
3. Types of Referees and Their Earnings:
- Full-Time Referees vs. Linesmen: Full-time referees, responsible for overseeing the entire game, earn more than linesmen.
- Linesmen Earnings: Fresh linesmen start at around $137,000, scaling up to $235,000 for veterans. Their duties primarily focus on monitoring specific areas of the ice.
4. Bonus Structures:
- Playoff Bonuses: NHL referees receive additional compensation during playoff rounds, ranging from $20,000 to $27,000 per round for referees and approximately $17,250 for linesmen during each playoff round.
5. Comparison with Other Sports:
- NFL vs. NBA vs. MLB: NHL referees' earnings align with those of NFL officials (around $205,000 per year). NBA referees earn comparable amounts, while MLB umpires tend to make significantly more, with an average of $450,000 annually.
6. Full-Time Employment and Benefits:
- NHL referees are full-time employees, receiving yearly salaries, benefits, and travel allowances, setting them apart from some other sports leagues where officials work part-time.
These figures reflect the financial landscape of NHL referees, offering a glimpse into the robust compensation structure and the nuances among different levels of experience and roles within the league.
