How much money do NFL referees make? Salaries & pay structure for game officials in 2020 (2023)

FAQs

How much money do NFL referees get paid per game? ›

To be clear, if we use the aforementioned 2019 report, NFL referees receive approximately $12,000 per regular season game.

It is also important to note that the quoted figure of $205,000 per year is the average for officials, not just the recognized NFL head referees. Therefore, the average salary for NFL refs could be slightly higher.

The NFL has not freely given out the figures, but according to the most recent reports, referees were estimated to bring in between $30,000 and $50,000 for officiating in the big game in 2018, so it is likely that this rate has gone up or at least is in this ballpark for Super Bowl LVI.

In most cases, a match official oversees an average of two games, and FIFA adds the match fees they earned to their contracted pay. A successful referee who would officiate all the games, including the final, could earn up to $300,000 during the tournament.

Officials go to organized team activities (OTAs), minicamps and training camps, where they officiate practices and call preseason games to get into regular-season form. They prepare for these games as they would for the regular season, and they are evaluated the same way.

The NFL does not release salary figures for referees but, according to Sporting News, the highest paid NFL refs make $250,000 annually. NFL referees on average usually make about $205,000 per year.

Officials are considered to be part-time employees of the NFL. As a result, they don't receive insurance benefits. However, they do have a 401k plan with a partial matching contribution. They also have representation from the NFL Referees Association.

For the majority of officials, being a referee is only their side job. Primary Occupation: Civil litigator at a Phoenix law firm. FYI: He's run 12 marathons and is known to have the build of a pro-athlete himself—Hochuli is 6'1 and 215 pounds.

A report just last year from NBC News pinpointed the average pay for NFL cheerleaders to be about $150 a game, or roughly $22,500 a year, which is not much different than what it was reported to be in the original Raiders lawsuit.

How much does NFL mascot make? ›

The average salary for an NFL mascot in 2022 is about $60,000 per year.

Thieneman's latest clip, which drew nearly 300,000 viewers in one day, claims that the average NFL water boy salary is actually around $53,000.

Run. In each game, the referees will cover six to eight miles while scrutinising every move of the action. Players average an estimated seven miles per game, but typically stay within assigned zones, which can allow for short rests. Referees are in constant motion, tracking the ball all over the field.

Officials' hats are occasionally used as markers. If a player not carrying the ball steps out of bounds (a wide receiver running a deep passing route or a player running downfield on punt coverage, for example), the official will drop his hat to mark the spot of where the player went out of bounds.

There is an added bonus for officials working playoff games, so the aforementioned $201,000 per year is a start for the best officials. On top of that, reports indicate officials could make bonuses between $1,500 and $5,000 per playoff game.

Refs are required to arrive at least 24 hours before a game. They fly first-class and the league covers all their travel expenses. Once everyone's in town, the crew meets for several hours, preparing for the next day's game and reviewing the week's quiz. Oh, and there's more homework.

On average, NFL offensive and defensive coordinators have an annual salary of $1 million, but concrete numbers for these positions are usually not disclosed compared to more prominent positions, such as head coaches.

As of Mar 3, 2023, the average annual pay for a Quarterback Coach in the United States is $58,035 a year.

By contrast, the lowest-paid head coach that has been made public is Kevin Stefanski, who is the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Stefanski makes an annual salary of $3.5 million as of 2022.

Do NFL referees get a Super Bowl ring? ›

The Super Bowl ring. The officials get Super Bowl rings just like the players do. They aren't as big as the players' rings, but they are still valuable pieces of jewelry. These rings mean the world to the officials and they wear them with such pride.

Biggest names in 2023 NFL Free Agency

Koo signed a five-year extension worth $24.25 million this past March, good for an average of $4.85 million a year.

Although managing players is primarily the responsibility of the coaching staff, officials can facilitate the conduct of the game if specific officials manage certain players. To do that, officials must talk with players frequently. There are a few special relationships and here are the most notable ones.

Home of the NFLRA. The NFL Referees Association is the sole and exclusive bargaining representative of all employees employed by the NFL to officiate games played by the Member Clubs of the NFL.

In the USA: NFL The crew of referees work together and travel to all of the stadiums during the season or over two or three seasons.

Not intentionally, but it seems at times that the crowd and the official's familiarity with what the home team is trying to accomplish do influence a referee's subconscious, and as a result—his whistle. Statistics prove that home teams receive more calls in their favor.

The NFL does evaluate each official after every game, and they can be written up for bad calls or being out of position on plays.

You can take classes and attend programs to study the game of football and get tips on officiating football. From there, most will register with their state so that they are certified to officiate games. From there, it is about gaining as much experience as possible.

That is, if you're a popular, well-known squad. For instance, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, aka America's Sweethearts, who happen to be one of the most popular groups in the NFL, earn about $15-20 per hour, or $500 per match. Therefore, their yearly salary comes out to about $75,000.

What is the lowest paid position in NFL? ›

What NFL position has the lowest average salary? At the bottom of the salary leaderboard is special teams, averaging $2.775 million. Among the special teams contingency, kickers consistently occupy the highest-paid spots over punters and long snappers.

Most NFL cheerleading squads are a part-time job.

Top earners among NBA mascots

The highest paid one is Rocky the Mountain Lion, representative of the Denver Nuggets, who earns $625,000 a year. This figure is more than ten times the median salary for the job.

Recent reports have revealed that the NBA's highest-paid mascots make more than half a million dollars per year. Jazz Bear. Recent reports have revealed that the NBA's highest-paid mascots make more than half a million dollars per year, which is around 10 times the wages of an average league mascot.

Former NFL player Jake Thieneman claimed in a TikTok clip that an average NFL water boy makes around $53.000, noting that the actual figure depends on the team's status and the applicant's experience. "Now, there's a misconception that these people just hand out water and towels," Thieneman said.

The marquee players will get their own rooms, and some of them might even get something really plush. But for rookies and lesser known players, they will have to bunk up with a teammate.

As Kalil pointed out though while fans may not have been aware, it's common knowledge among the players that everyone is relieving themselves during the game wherever they can.

Who is the highest-paid NFL referee? Brad Allen and Walter Anderson are the highest-paid NFL referees for the 2020-21 season. Sarah Thomas is one of the best-paid women referees in the NFL.

A report just last year from NBC News pinpointed the average pay for NFL cheerleaders to be about $150 a game, or roughly $22,500 a year, which is not much different than what it was reported to be in the original Raiders lawsuit.

Officials are considered to be part-time employees of the NFL. As a result, they don't receive insurance benefits. However, they do have a 401k plan with a partial matching contribution.

How much do NFL mascots make? ›

The average salary for an NFL mascot in 2022 is about $60,000 per year.

BJORN KUIPERS was the official referee for England's World Cup game vs Sweden at the 2018 World Cup, but that was not his only job. The now retired official, 49,was richer than some of the players on the pitch after it was revealed he is a multi-millionaire of supermarket chain.

In general, you can begin to receive Pension Benefits at age 55, however if you have a Credited Season before 1993, you may begin to receive your Pension when you reach age 45. Former Players with a minimum of three Credited Seasons will receive $550 for each Credited Season prior to 2012.

NFL players need to accrue three seasons to become vested for an NFL pension, which provides $19,800 USD annually for life. Compensation is supposed to increase to $22,000 USD annually in 2025 based on expected upward trends in league revenue.

How much are NFL cheerleaders paid and what about the Super Bowl? Paid on a game-to-game business by the league, NFL supporting cheerleaders pocket approximately $150 per game and between $50 and $70 for a public appearance on behalf of their respective teams.

Is being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader a full-time job? No, most Cheerleaders hold part-time or full-time jobs or attend college.

As of Mar 2, 2023, the average annual pay for a Ball Boy in the United States is $40,376 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $19.41 an hour. This is the equivalent of $776/week or $3,364/month.

For instance, Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, aka America's Sweethearts, who happen to be one of the most popular groups in the NFL, earn about $15-20 per hour, or $500 per match. Therefore, their yearly salary comes out to about $75,000.