Arts, design, media and sports
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials
Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees, and competition judges.
Median pay
$40,710
Growth to 2035
+5%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
4,300
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to umpires, referees, and other sports officials
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials: 10% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
- Inspect game sites for compliance with regulations or safety requirements.
- Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
- Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
- Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
- Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
- Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
- Confer with other sporting officials, coaches, players, and facility managers to provide information, coordinate activities, and discuss problems.
Also called: Basketball Referee · Diving Judge · Dressage Judge · Football Referee · Horse Show Judge · Major League Baseball Umpire (MLB Umpire) · Referee · Soccer Referee
Outlook and AI
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials held 18,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 19,200 by 2035 (+5%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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