How to become an umpire, referees, and other sports officials
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.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What umpires, referees, and other sports officials do
- 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.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
Is umpire, referees, and other sports officials a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 20% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- New Jersey $67,600
- North Dakota $63,920
- South Carolina $61,290
- Wisconsin $57,000
- Ohio $55,040
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.