Sports are more popular than ever in high schools, and these institutions need referees to officiate at football, soccer and field hockey games as well as wrestling matches. High school referees enforce the rules of the games, calling penalties when necessary. They also keep track of time and field positions and check and dry equipment as needed. These referees earn a fixed-dollar amount per game that varies by sport.
High school referees earn a fixed amount for each game they officiate. For example, they earned $58 for each varsity football game in Colorado, according to the Colorado High School Activities Association – and $44 per junior varsity game, as of 2017. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for referees is $24,900, as of 2017. Most of these officials have at least high school diplomas. They also need to complete training for their particular sports and pass a written exam for certification. State athletic associations usually sponsor the exams. Other essential requirements include good vision, stamina and communication, decision-making and team-working skills.
Average incomes for high school referees can vary by geographic region. According to a 2017 USA Today article, referees in New York State can earn up to $1,000 a week. In Texas, refs working varsity football games make at least $100 per game, increasing to $205 per game for those traveling farther than 91 miles. Those refs can make even more per game depending on the gate receipts. In Florida, the pay is much less, only $46 to $75 a game for varsity football. Tennessee is similar, paying high school vanity football refs $65 to $75 a game.
Housing and living costs are the primary reasons high school referees earn more in New York and Texas. For example, someone who earns $30,000 in Columbus, Ohio, would need to make $58,720 in New York City to enjoy the same living standard, according to CNN Money’s cost of living calculator. Employers usually account for these differences when paying their referees. High school referees can also earn more officiating varsity football and ice hockey games than field hockey or lacrosse events. In Colorado, they earned $58 versus $54 per game, respectively, in those sports, according to the Colorado High School Activities Association.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a eight percent increase in jobs for umpires, referees and other sports officials in the next decade, faster than the average rate of seven percent for all occupations. High schools need more referees as enrollments increase across the country. Booster clubs and school levels can still affect the number of available jobs for these officials in specific school systems.