What Does a Sports Official Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

Q: How do I become a referee?

Register with a league or state association and complete training.

What does a sports official do?

Umpires, referees and other sports officials watch games and competitions, enforce rules, make calls and keep play safe and fair. The median pay is $40,710 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Weeks to months of training, and employment is projected to grow +5.2% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$40,710
Annual salary · May 2025
Job growth
+5.2%
2025–35, faster than average
Openings per year
4,300
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
Weeks to months of training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
18,200
Employment, 2025

What sports officials do

Sports officials make games possible. They know the rules thoroughly, position themselves to see plays, make calls, manage players and coaches, keep time and score, and ensure safety. They officiate youth, high school, college and professional sports.

Officials usually register with state associations or leagues, complete training and pass rules exams. Many officiate part-time while working other jobs. Experienced officials can advance to higher levels and big games.

Typical duties

Enforce rules during games
Make calls on plays
Manage player and coach conduct
Keep time and score
Inspect fields and equipment
Write reports on incidents
Study rule changes

Work environment and schedule

Officials work on fields, courts, rinks and pools, often outdoors and in front of crowds.

Schedule: Games are often evenings and weekends; many officials work part-time, seasonally.

A day in the life

4:00 PMArrive at the field and inspect the playing surface.
4:30 PMMeet with the officiating crew and coaches.
5:00 PMOfficiate a high school soccer game.
6:30 PMManage a heated moment with a yellow card.

See a full day in the life of a sports official →

Sports Official salary

Half of sports officials earned more than $40,710 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $26,540 for the lowest 10% to $82,960 for the top 10%.

$26,54010th$40,710Median$82,96090th

Full sports official pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a sports official

Learn the rules
Register with an association
Pass exams
Officiate youth games
Advance

A high school diploma is typical. Officials register with leagues or state associations, complete training and pass rules exams.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a sports official →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Rules knowledge
Positioning and mechanics
Game management
Communication signals
Report writing

People skills

Composure
Decisiveness
Integrity
Communication

All sports official skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Stay involved in sports
Flexible part-time work
Exercise
Advance to higher levels

Cons

Criticism from fans and coaches
Irregular part-time income
Travel to games
Pressure on close calls

Certifications and licenses

State association officiating registration: Required to officiate high school sports.
Rules exams: Tests on sport rules.
NCAA or league certifications: Required for college or pro levels.
CPR and first aid: Helpful for officials.

Career path

Youth Official: Officiate youth games.
High School Official: Officiate varsity games.
College Official: Officiate college games.
Professional Official or Supervisor: Officiate or supervise at top levels.

Learn the job before day one

Our Sports Official training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as manage an upset coach and position for a call, safety and how to land your first job.

View Sports Official training Is this career right for me?

Sports Coach

Teach sports skills, build teams and help athletes compete.

$47,320
Varies: certifications to a degree plus experience

Recreation Worker

Lead fun activities at parks, camps, community centers and senior centers.

$36,560
1–4 weeks

Personal Trainer

Coach people to get stronger, fitter and healthier.

$47,160
2–6 months for certification

Athletic Trainer

Prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries for athletes and active people.

$62,520
Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s

Compare: Sports Official vs. Sports Coach · Sports Official vs. Recreation Worker · Sports Official vs. Personal Trainer · Sports Official vs. Athletic Trainer

Sports Official FAQ

How do I become a referee?

Is officiating full-time?

Most officials work part-time.

Can officials advance?

Yes, to higher levels with experience and evaluations.

How much does a sports official make?

The median annual wage for sports officials was $40,710 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $26,540 and the highest 10% earned more than $82,960.

How long does it take to become a sports official?

Most people need about Weeks to months of training of training. A high school diploma is typical. Officials register with leagues or state associations, complete training and pass rules exams.

Do you need a degree to be a sports official?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 27-2023 (Umpires, referees, and other sports officials).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Umpires, referees, and other sports officials (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Sports Official