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Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

General Information

Description

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.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Hospitality & Tourism

Job Outlook

Employment of umpires, referees, and other sports officials is projected to grow 32 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,600 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.

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Job Outlook

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Employment of umpires, referees, and other sports officials is projected to grow 32 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,600 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.

Similar Careers

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$35,860

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$53,770
$18,540
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 42%
  • Less than high school 23%
  • Bachelor's degree 14%
  • Post-secondary certificate 9%
  • Doctoral degree 4%
  • Associate's degree 4%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Knowledge

  • English Language
  • Education and Training
  • Administration and Management
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Psychology

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.