Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Requirements for umpires, referees, and other sports officials typically vary by state and local sports association. Although some positions have no formal education requirements, others may require a high school diploma. PayThe median annual wage for umpires, referees, and other sports officials was $40,710 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of umpires, referees, and other sports officials is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,300 openings for umpires, referees, and other sports officials are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for umpires, referees, and other sports officials. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of umpires, referees, and other sports officials with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about umpires, referees, and other sports officials by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for umpires, referees, and other sports officials was $40,710 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of umpires, referees, and other sports officials is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,300 openings for umpires, referees, and other sports officials are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for umpires, referees, and other sports officials. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of umpires, referees, and other sports officials with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about umpires, referees, and other sports officials by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of umpires, referees, and other sports officials is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 4,300 openings for umpires, referees, and other sports officials are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for umpires, referees, and other sports officials. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of umpires, referees, and other sports officials with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about umpires, referees, and other sports officials by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials preside over competitive athletic or sporting events to help maintain standards of play.
Work Environment
Part-time, seasonal work is common for umpires, referees, and other sports officials. Schedules may vary, and they often work irregular hours that including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Officials working outdoors are exposed to all types of weather conditions.
How to Become an Umpire, Referee, or Other Sports Official
Requirements for umpires, referees, and other sports officials typically vary by state and local sports association. Although some positions have no formal education requirements, others may require a high school diploma.
Pay
The median annual wage for umpires, referees, and other sports officials was $40,710 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of umpires, referees, and other sports officials is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 4,300 openings for umpires, referees, and other sports officials are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for umpires, referees, and other sports officials.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of umpires, referees, and other sports officials with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about umpires, referees, and other sports officials by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Part-time, seasonal work is common for umpires, referees, and other sports officials. Schedules may vary, and they often work irregular hours that including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Officials working outdoors are exposed to all types of weather conditions.
How to Become an Umpire, Referee, or Other Sports Official
Requirements for umpires, referees, and other sports officials typically vary by state and local sports association. Although some positions have no formal education requirements, others may require a high school diploma.
Pay
The median annual wage for umpires, referees, and other sports officials was $40,710 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of umpires, referees, and other sports officials is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 4,300 openings for umpires, referees, and other sports officials are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for umpires, referees, and other sports officials.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of umpires, referees, and other sports officials with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about umpires, referees, and other sports officials by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for umpires, referees, and other sports officials.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of umpires, referees, and other sports officials with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about umpires, referees, and other sports officials by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about umpires, referees, and other sports officials by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.