As of August 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Sports Referee in Illinois is $50,974, equivalent to $25 per hour, $980 weekly, or $4,248 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Sports Referee in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Sports Referee in Illinois vary widely, spanning from $42,387 to $62,311. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($46,479) and 75th percentile ($56,908), while top earners (90th percentile) make $62,311 per year. This $10,429 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Storytelling or News Reporting, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Illinois Sports Referee often earn 1.9% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 56 companies. However, Illinois currently ranks 14 nationwide for Sports Referee job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
