As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Football Referee in the United States is $45,959 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.
However, a Football Referee's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Football Referee's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Football Referee's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Football Referee | $43,456 |
| Intermediate Level Football Referee | $43,835 |
| Senior Level Football Referee | $45,148 |
| Specialist Level Football Referee | $47,417 |
| Expert Level Football Referee | $47,822 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Football Referees. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Attention to Detail | 13.04% |
| Credit Card | 39.13% |
| Data Entry | 21.74% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Card Operations
|
$51,474 |
12%
|
|
Initiative
|
$51,014 |
11%
|
|
Attention to Detail
|
$46,418 |
1%
|
|
Credit Card
|
$45,959 |
0%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Football Referees enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Football Referee with a Bachelor's Degree is between $44,880 and $48,101).
Football Referee Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 100.0% |
| High School | 0.0% |
| Associates | 0.0% |
| Bachelors | 100.0% |
| Masters | 0.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Football Referee's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for a Football Referee can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $45,268 in 2023 to around $44,096 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Football Referee salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $45,268 |
| 2024 | $44,750 |
| 2025 | $44,096 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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