Arts, Design, Media & Sports
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
Also called: Basketball Referee, Diving Judge, Dressage Judge, Football Referee
US median pay
$40,710
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.2%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
4,300
18,200 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
- Inspect game sites for compliance with regulations or safety requirements.
- Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
- Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
- Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
- Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
- Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
- Confer with other sporting officials, coaches, players, and facility managers to provide information, coordinate activities, and discuss problems.
- Judge performances in sporting competitions to award points, impose scoring penalties, and determine results.
- Verify scoring calculations before competition winners are announced.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Time Management2.9/5
- Instructing2.9/5
- Service Orientation2.8/5
- Persuasion2.8/5
Knowledge
- English Language3.4/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- Administration and Management2.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.7/5
- Psychology2.5/5
- Communications and Media2.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma43%
- Less than high school24%
- Bachelor's degree14%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.