What Does it Take to Be an Umpire, Referee, or Sports Official?
Sports Official Definition Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees, and competition judges.
List of Sports Official Job Duties
- Verify credentials of participants in sporting events, and make other qualifying determinations such as starting order or handicap number.
- Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
- Start races and competitions.
- Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
- Judge performances in sporting competitions in order to award points, impose scoring penalties, and determine results.
- Keep track of event times, including race times and elapsed time during game segments, starting or stopping play when necessary.
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Qualities of a Sports Official
These are the skills Umpires, Referees, and Sports Officials say are the most useful in their careers:
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Sports Official Jobs
- Pit Steward
- Scorekeeper
- Volleyball Referee
- Horse Race Timer
- Receiving Barn Custodian
Sports Official Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 21,100 jobs for Umpire, Referee, or Sports Official in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,600 new jobs for Umpire, Referee, or Sports Official by 2026. The BLS estimates 3,000 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Sports Official are Nebraska, New Mexico, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in West Virginia, South Carolina, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Sports Official Salary
Umpires, Referees, and Sports Officials make between $18,220 and $59,240 a year.
Umpires, Referees, and Sports Officials who work in Kentucky, Washington, or West Virginia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Umpires, Referees, and Sports Officials make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $20,110 |
| Alaska | $36,900 |
| Arizona | $42,170 |
| California | $32,780 |
| Colorado | $32,890 |
| Delaware | $30,960 |
| Florida | $32,630 |
| Georgia | $24,120 |
| Idaho | $22,500 |
| Illinois | $34,860 |
| Iowa | $29,250 |
| Kansas | $34,160 |
| Kentucky | $46,930 |
| Louisiana | $30,400 |
| Maine | $26,170 |
| Maryland | $36,980 |
| Massachusetts | $47,300 |
| Michigan | $28,460 |
| Minnesota | $40,660 |
| Mississippi | $25,930 |
| Missouri | $33,560 |
| Montana | $22,160 |
| Nebraska | $27,730 |
| New Hampshire | $40,220 |
| New Jersey | $39,490 |
| New Mexico | $24,440 |
| North Carolina | $35,460 |
| North Dakota | $32,370 |
| Ohio | $28,670 |
| Oklahoma | $37,870 |
| Oregon | $28,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,750 |
| Rhode Island | $33,250 |
| South Dakota | $28,850 |
| Tennessee | $34,010 |
| Texas | $34,750 |
| Utah | $21,980 |
| Vermont | $34,400 |
| Virginia | $37,390 |
| Washington | $39,130 |
| West Virginia | $40,450 |
| Wisconsin | $30,860 |
What Tools & Technology do Umpires, Referees, and Sports Officials Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Umpires, Referees, and Sports Officials:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Database software
- Video editing software
Becoming a Sports Official
Learn what Umpire, Referee, or Sports Official education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Sports Official?
Where do Umpires, Referees, and Sports Officials Work?
Below are examples of industries where Umpires, Referees, and Sports Officials work:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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