Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary by State
Also called: Umpires and Sports Officials
The national median pay for umpires, referees, and other sports officials is $40,710 a year. By state, it ranges from $21,900 in Oklahoma to $67,600 in New Jersey.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $26,540
- 25th percentile
- $32,260
- Median
- $40,710
- 75th percentile
- $57,160
- Top 10%
- $82,960
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 15,780 jobs.
Median pay in 34 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $67,600 | +66% | $33,890 | $81,090 | 420 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $63,920 | +57% | $26,900 | $91,040 | 180 |
| 3 | South Carolina | $61,290 | +51% | $27,180 | $61,290 | 50 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $57,000 | +40% | $30,820 | $91,200 | 300 |
| 5 | Ohio | $55,040 | +35% | $23,560 | $62,150 | 580 |
| 6 | Louisiana | $50,080 | +23% | $31,500 | $141,650 | 310 |
| 7 | Illinois | $49,070 | +21% | $31,200 | $86,860 | 690 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $48,400 | +19% | $32,600 | $126,090 | 250 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $46,490 | +14% | $18,690 | $67,270 | 50 |
| 10 | Arizona | $46,440 | +14% | $31,730 | $69,460 | 210 |
| 11 | Indiana | $46,140 | +13% | $24,690 | $50,810 | 170 |
| 12 | Vermont | $46,080 | +13% | $35,650 | $61,580 | 80 |
| 13 | California | $44,530 | +9% | $35,110 | $80,750 | 1,950 |
| 14 | Colorado | $44,230 | +9% | $32,790 | $68,420 | 1,120 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $44,200 | +9% | $20,800 | $107,360 | 320 |
| 16 | Iowa | $43,040 | +6% | $27,860 | $104,000 | 190 |
| 17 | Texas | $42,920 | +5% | $23,670 | $55,990 | 650 |
| 18 | Washington | $41,350 | +2% | $34,650 | $62,430 | 400 |
| 19 | Virginia | $40,840 | 0% | $33,020 | $88,460 | 260 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $39,530 | −3% | $34,010 | $116,650 | 200 |
| 21 | Oregon | $38,730 | −5% | $30,280 | $54,920 | 170 |
| 22 | Florida | $37,070 | −9% | $27,970 | $61,380 | 280 |
| 23 | Montana | $36,370 | −11% | $30,190 | $57,600 | 60 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $35,260 | −13% | $29,840 | $63,060 | 80 |
| 25 | Michigan | $34,560 | −15% | $25,960 | $60,660 | 340 |
| 26 | Missouri | $33,140 | −19% | $28,600 | $50,320 | 1,240 |
| 27 | Idaho | $32,250 | −21% | $25,490 | $50,090 | 170 |
| 28 | Utah | $31,430 | −23% | $23,890 | $49,290 | 1,100 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $31,390 | −23% | $28,080 | $49,040 | 40 |
| 30 | Georgia | $28,360 | −30% | $19,780 | $70,550 | 280 |
| 31 | Mississippi | $27,060 | −34% | $27,060 | $36,250 | 60 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $26,540 | −35% | $17,680 | $67,010 | 400 |
| 33 | Kansas | $25,780 | −37% | $25,780 | $55,470 | Not published |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $21,900 | −46% | $21,740 | $43,310 | 220 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary questions
Which state pays umpires, referees, and other sports officials the most?
New Jersey, with a median of $67,600 a year (+66% vs. the national median of $40,710). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays umpires, referees, and other sports officials the least?
Oklahoma, with a median of $21,900 a year (−46% vs. national).
Where do most umpires, referees, and other sports officials work?
California has the most jobs, about 1,950, with a median of $44,530.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.