The National Football League is probably the most popular league in America apart from the NBA, and even though it doesn’t shine as much outside of the United States, it has its fair share of craze during the league season.
While players often get incredibly famous in the nation due to their teams and trophies, referees also play a crucial role in ensuring the game moves on without faults and making the right calls.
So, how much does an NFL referee make per game and in a year? While it may vary from matches, star players involved, and the referees’ actual experience, NFL referees make around $ 3,000-5,000 in a postseason game and an average of $205,000 annually. Furthermore, most NFL referees do it part-time, focusing on other jobs between the seasons.
Explained: What Do NFL Referees Do?
During the game, there are a total of Seven NFL officials on the field, and while only the main referee interacts with the players, the others also ensure to avoid false calls by covering the entire field.
Here are the seven NFL officials and what they do:
- Referee: Stays on the right side of the formation and owns the final authority in making decisions such as fouls and kickoffs.
- Umpire: Observes the field from the opposite line of the referee and maintains control of the game.
- Line Judge: Monitors from the sidelines to see any offsides, encroachment, or false starts.
- Field Judge: Stays on the defensive backfield, ensuring whether runners are in or out of bounds.
- Back Judge: Stays on the deep defensive field to rule off the offensive and defensive holdings and interferences.
- Side Judge: Manages the game’s clock and signals the referee when each quarter expires.
- Down Judge: Stays on the opposing line from Side Judge, oversees LOS, and watches for offsides and encroachment at the line.
How Much Do NFL Referees Make?
The salaries for NFL referees vary depending on many circumstances, including the season, the game, and their positions. While most earn a decent sum, they also have pension plans on top of their salary.
While the salaries of NFL referees are undisclosed, it was speculated that they earn an average of $205,000 per year. Before 2019, the referees only used to make $150,000 per year, but it seems the NFL has offered them a significant raise.
The league pays the NFL officials as pay-per-game, with each game’s salary ranging from $ 3,000 to $ 5,000. On top of that, referees also receive large bonuses following the league’s postseason games, which are usually more than their monthly pay.
While these are the estimated salaries during the leagues, an average NFL referee earns $30,000 to $50,000 during a Super Bowl game, which is nearly ten times the standard pay.
Is an NFL Referee a Full-time Job?
All the NFL referees are part-time workers because games often don’t last more than a few months, leaving the officials without work for the rest of the off-season. So, they have no option but to find another job to generate income before the next NFL season starts.
How to Become an NFL Referee?
Much like many other sports, an NFL referee position requires many qualifications and a firm grasp of the sport. Below are the requirements and tips to become an NFL referee:
- A bachelor’s degree in any major, especially sports-specific one, offers a better chance.
- Candidates must have prior training with any organization or enroll in a program offered by specific colleges.
- Register within the state to gain an official license to begin their sports career professionally.
- Earn experience by acting as a referee for small Football games, like for colleges and schools.
- More importantly, the candidates should show good judgment skills in every game as the NFL league frequently sends scouts to find some suitable replacements.
So, have you been watching football games lately? What is your opinion on the league referees? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
