How much are profession referees making?

[campton]

Last week, my mother told me to stop being so serious in wanting to become a professional referee. I told her there was ALOT of money in doing FIFA internationals and games like that. I know im probably wrong with the term "alot", but i am really interested and usure of what you make for high level professional and amateur matches.
Such as:

FIFA World cup and selection
uefa champions league
MLS
international friendlies
amateur leauges
NCAA college

Or any other league at which the nice people from bigsoccer can inform me on.



Campton

[intechpc]

Last week, my mother told me to stop being so serious in wanting to become a professional referee. I told her there was ALOT of money in doing FIFA internationals and games like that. I know im probably wrong with the term "alot", but i am really interested and usure of what you make for high level professional and amateur matches.
Such as:

FIFA World cup and selection
uefa champions league
MLS
international friendlies
amateur leauges
NCAA college

Or any other league at which the nice people from bigsoccer can inform me on.



Campton

Well this is somewhat heresay but it is my understanding that an MISL (Indoor League) pays $225 to the center. Don't know if that will help your cause. I general terms there are very few referees that make refereeing their only profession. Now I suppose if you get high enough you can get into things like assigning, instruction, assessing, clinics, etc which could augment your game fees. However, given the relative difficulty of achieving those levels, I think you'd be well served to not put all the eggs of your future into the refereeing basket.

[campton]

Well this is somewhat heresay but it is my understanding that an MISL (Indoor League) pays $225 to the center. Don't know if that will help your cause. I general terms there are very few referees that make refereeing their only profession. Now I suppose if you get high enough you can get into things like assigning, instruction, assessing, clinics, etc which could augment your game fees. However, given the relative difficulty of achieving those levels, I think you'd be well served to not put all the eggs of your future into the refereeing basket.

Well i dont think that being a referee is enough to make a living out of. I was just wondering how much the big shots make. I really want to know how much money Herbert Fandel recieved this year for his two finals.

[Englishref]

The Select Group are on around a £35,000-£40,000 retainer ($70-80k). On top of that, they then get match fees, hotel accomodation the night before, and are chauffeur driven to games. That's domestic games. They then get match fees, travel and accomodation when doing UEFA games. Don't know what those match fees are though, i'm afraid.

[grecod1]

Knowing a CONCACAF FIFA Referee, for the U20 Tourney, they ALL (Middle and AR's) shoudl get 12-15k US + $100/per diem (+all expenses of course)

I've been told the World Cup guys get up to 75K US + per diem.

[campton]

Knowing a CONCACAF FIFA Referee, for the U20 Tourney, they ALL (Middle and AR's) shoudl get 12-15k US + $100/per diem (+all expenses of course)

I've been told the World Cup guys get up to 75K US + per diem.


diem? im a bit confused, any help?

[Sagy]

diem? im a bit confused, any help?

Per day (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=per+diem&x=42&y=14). a daily allowance, usually for living expenses while traveling in connection with one's work or being employed at a distance from one's home

[Spaceball]

All FIFA matches are paid per diem...this avoids the issues of foreign workers. For instance, if the US has a friendly played here and FIFA assigns foreign refs they are paid as per diem rather than game fees because if they are paid for the match itself they must obtain permission to work in the US (a temporary worker VISA). Imagine the headache if this had to be obtained for every foreign referee in every country that required it? Therefore, they avoid this by paying relatively large per diems rather than match fees.

However, while it seems like much money is to be made, remember even if you make the FIFA level only a couple from each country receive enough appointments to even consider the additional income. Other than that it is relying on domestic leagues and in the US that can add up to a nice bonus, but certainly not your only means of income.

[DadOf6]

I'm pretty sure you can find some good information if you browse www.ussoccer-data.com

[Tarheel Ref]

I recently quit my job to return to school. My referee income is my only income now so I would consider myself truly a professional referee (I try to be professional through my actions as well, but income trumps all...).

Working adult leagues, HS and U-16 and up during most of the year, working 10 to 15 games per week, I can bring in $400 to $600 or so per week...not bad for doing something I truly love.

Another thing to consider...income is not everything (I can't believe I just said that!) and as you get older, you should ask your mom if she believes that job satisfaction counts for quite a lot. I quit my job in a year that I was making more $$$ than I would have ever done before because the 60 hour weeks and no vacation just got to be too much.

I really miss my regular paychecks but my satisfaction with my lifestyle has increased immeasurably.

[taocpa]

First, your best bet is to have other means of support. You just never know what's going to happen. So if you are currently in school, please stay there and finish your education.

I don't know what professional referees make. Some have quoted some figures, but I do know most if not all do this as a secondary profession. Read many of the bios of FIFA referees and you will find they have another job. Most NFL officials have another job during the week as well.

The only officials I am aware of that are full-time are baseball umpires, NBA & NHL referees.

If you are really serious about this and are good enough, by all means go for it. But have a balance in your life.

[Alberto]

All FIFA matches are paid per diem...this avoids the issues of foreign workers. For instance, if the US has a friendly played here and FIFA assigns foreign refs they are paid as per diem rather than game fees because if they are paid for the match itself they must obtain permission to work in the US (a temporary worker VISA). Imagine the headache if this had to be obtained for every foreign referee in every country that required it? Therefore, they avoid this by paying relatively large per diems rather than match fees.

However, while it seems like much money is to be made, remember even if you make the FIFA level only a couple from each country receive enough appointments to even consider the additional income. Other than that it is relying on domestic leagues and in the US that can add up to a nice bonus, but certainly not your only means of income.

Your post needs to be clarified. There is a fee paid to the officials to referee the match. There is also a per diem paid for incidental expenses. Remember most crews typically arrive a day or two prior to the match and leave the night of the match if a day game or the following morning if a night game. Air travel I believe is typically paid by their confederation, unless arrangements are made through FIFA.

[Alberto]

First, your best bet is to have other means of support. You just never know what's going to happen. So if you are currently in school, please stay there and finish your education.

I don't know what professional referees make. Some have quoted some figures, but I do know most if not all do this as a secondary profession. Read many of the bios of FIFA referees and you will find they have another job. Most NFL officials have another job during the week as well.

The only officials I am aware of that are full-time are baseball umpires, NBA & NHL referees.

If you are really serious about this and are good enough, by all means go for it. But have a balance in your life.


Remember that the USSF has appointed a group of referees including Terry Vaughn to be full time paid professional referees. I am not quite sure of the salaries, but my understanding was it mght be around $50K which is not all that high considering the relatively short career and risk for dismissal because of injury or poor performances.

[roby]

After all the abuse they've received during the last few tournaments...not nearly enough!

Play on.......

[Doug the Ref]

You will also have the opportunity for income for reffing USSF, College, High School, Indoor, & Futsal. There are also opportunities for assigning, assessing and training. Many officials also may officiate other sports as basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, etc.