### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                    
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			umpires referees and other sports officials imageUmpires, referees, and other sports officials preside over competitive athletic or sporting events.							
						Quick Facts:     Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials2023     Median Pay
            						$35,820     per yearTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    20,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    10% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    2,000What Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Do
                                                
                        
                        
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials preside over competitive athletic or sporting events to help maintain standards of play.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Part-time, seasonal work is common for umpires, referees, and other sports officials. Schedules may vary, and they often work irregular hours that including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Officials working outdoors are exposed to all types of weather conditions.
            
                                                How to Become an Umpire, Referee, or Other Sports Official
                                                
                        
Requirements for umpires, referees, and other sports officials typically vary by state and local sports association. Although some positions have no formal education requirements, others may require a high school diploma.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for umpires, referees, and other sports officials was $35,820 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of umpires, referees, and other sports officials is projected to grow							 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 5,000 openings for umpires, referees, and other sports officials are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for umpires, referees, and other sports officials.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of umpires, referees, and other sports officials with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about umpires, referees, and other sports officials by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Do 
            

			Umpires, referees, and other sports officialsUmpires, referees, and other sports officials regulate play by signaling participants and other officials.			
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials preside over competitive athletic or sporting events to help maintain standards of play. They detect infractions and decide penalties according to the rules of the game.
Duties
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials typically do the following:
Officiate sporting competitions
Judge performances in sporting competitions to determine a winner
Inspect sports equipment and observe all participants to ensure safety
Keep track of event times, starting or stopping play when necessary
Signal participants and other officials when infractions occur or to regulate play or competition
Settle claims of infractions or complaints by participants
Enforce the rules of the game and assess penalties when necessaryWhile officiating at sporting competitions, umpires, referees, and other sports officials must anticipate play and position themselves where they can best see the action, assess the situation, and identify any violations of the rules.
Sports officials typically rely on their judgment to make split-second rulings on infractions and penalties. Officials in some sports may use video replay to help make the correct call.
Some sports officials, such as boxing referees, may work independently. Others, such as baseball or softball umpires, work in groups. Each official working in a group may have different responsibilities. For example, in baseball, one umpire is responsible for signaling balls and strikes while others are responsible for signaling fair and foul balls out in the field.
 Work Environment
			Umpires, referees, and other sports officialsUmpires, referees and other sports officials work indoors and out, in all types of weather.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Umpires, referees, and other sports officials held about 20,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of umpires, referees, and other sports officials were as follows:
        Self-employed workers
                34%Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries
                17Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries
                16Educational services; state, local, and private
                7Civic and social organizations
                3Umpires, referees, and other sports officials work indoors and outdoors. Those working outdoors will be exposed to all types of weather conditions. Some officials travel by  bus to sporting events. Others, especially officials in professional sports, may travel by air.
Some sports require officials to stand, squat, walk, or run for extended periods.
Regardless of the sport, the job is stressful because officials often must make split-second rulings. These rulings may result in strong disagreement from coaches, players, and spectators.
Work Schedules
Seasonal work is common for umpires, referees, and other sports officials. Schedules may vary, and they often work irregular hours that include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Many umpires, referees, and other sports officials are employed primarily in other occupations and supplement their income by officiating part time.
 How to Become an Umpire, Referee, or Other Sports Official

			Umpires, referees, and other sports officialsEducation and training requirements for umpires, referees, and other sports officials vary by the level and type of sport.			
Requirements for umpires, referees, and other sports officials typically vary by state and local sports association. Although some positions have no formal education requirements, others may require a high school diploma. Officiating sports requires extensive knowledge of the rules of the game.
Education
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials typically need a high school diploma, although requirements may vary. Each state and sport association has its own education requirements for umpires, referees, and other sports officials. Some do not require formal education, while others may require umpires, referees, and sports officials to have a high school diploma.
Some sports, such as baseball, have their own professional training schools that prepare aspiring umpires and officials for a career at the minor and major league levels.
For more information on educational requirements, refer to the specific state athletic or activity association.
Training
To attain competency in the occupation, umpires, referees, and other sports officials typically need up to 1 year of on-the-job training. This training may include informational sessions covering topics such as positioning, signaling, and other responsibilities or shadowing an experienced official to help manage competitions.
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials may be required to attend training camps, classes, and seminars before, during, and after the season. These sessions allow officials to learn about rule updates, review and evaluate their own performances, and improve their officiating.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Credentialing requirements vary by competition level. For example, to officiate high school athletic events, umpires, referees, and other officials must typically register with the state or local agency that oversees high school athletics. They also typically need to pass an exam on the rules of the particular sport. Some states and associations require applicants to attend umpiring or refereeing classes before taking the exam or joining the association. Other associations require officials to attend annual training workshops before renewing their officiating credential.
For more information, visit your state’s athletic association website or the National Association of Sports Officials.
Advancement
Most new umpires, referees, and other sports officials begin by officiating youth sports. After a few years, they may advance to the high school level. Those who wish to advance to the collegiate level must typically officiate at the high school level for many years.
Some umpires, referees, and other officials may advance through the high school and collegiate levels to reach the professional level. Advancement may continue within the professional ranks. For example, baseball umpires begin their professional careers officiating in the minor leagues and typically need 7 to 10 years of experience there before advancing on to the major leagues.
Standards for umpires and other officials become more stringent as the level of competition increases.
Other Experience
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials must have an extensive knowledge of the rules of the sport they are officiating.
Some officials may have gained much of their knowledge through years of playing the sport at some level. However, playing experience is not a requirement for becoming an umpire, referee, or other sports official.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills*.** Umpires, referees, and other sports officials must have good communication skills because they inform athletes on a sport's rules, discuss infractions, and settle disputes.
***Decision-making skills*.** Umpires, referees, and other sports officials must observe play, assess situations, and make split-second rulings.
***Good vision*.** Umpires, referees, and other sports officials must have good vision to identify violations during play. In some sports, such as diving or gymnastics, sports officials also must be able to observe an athlete’s form for imperfections.
***Physical stamina*.** Many umpires, referees, and other sports officials are required to run, squat, stand, or walk for long periods during competitions.
***Teamwork*.** Because umpires, referees, and other sports officials may work in groups to officiate a game, they must be able to cooperate and come to a mutual decision.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports OfficialsMedian annual wages, May 2023Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers$53,360  Total, all occupations$48,060  Umpires, referees, and other sports officials$35,820Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for umpires, referees, and other sports officials was $35,820 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,950, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $63,410.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for umpires, referees, and other sports officials in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries
                $42,610Educational services; state, local, and private
                37,220Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries
                35,980Civic and social organizations
                32,240Most umpires, referees, and other sports officials are paid on a per-game basis. Pay typically rises as the level of competition increases.
Seasonal work is common for umpires, referees, and other sports officials. Schedules may vary and often include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Many umpires, referees, and other sports officials are employed primarily in other occupations and supplement their income by officiating part time.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports OfficialsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Umpires, referees, and other sports officials10%  Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers6%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of umpires, referees, and other sports officials is projected to grow				 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 5,000 openings for umpires, referees, and other sports officials are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
The demand for umpires, referees, and other sports officials may increase with a growing interest in college sports, professional sports, and sports recreation and with more athletes participating in sports. While funding for school athletic programs may be cut when budgets become tight, the popularity of interscholastic sports sometimes enables shortfalls to be offset with assistance from fundraisers, booster clubs, and parents.
			

                        Employment projections data for     umpires, referees, and other sports officials, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Umpires, referees, and other sports officials**
			27-2023
			20,400
			22,400
			10
			2,000
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Umpires, referees, and other sports officials **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of umpires, referees, and other sports officials. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Athletes and Sports Competitors**
            Athletes and sports competitors participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators.
            No formal educational credential
            $70,280**Coaches and Scouts**
            Coaches teach amateur or professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport. Scouts evaluate athletes as possible recruits.
            Bachelor's degree
            $45,910
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about umpires, referees, and other sports officials, visit
National Association of Sports Officials (NASO)
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
For more information on umpires, referees, and other sports officials, refer to the organization that represents the sport and the locality.
CareerOneStop
For a career video on umpires, referees, and other sports officials, visit
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/umpires-referees-and-other-sports-officials.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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