Every Sunday somebody yells that the referee should be fired, and somebody else asks the more interesting question: what is he actually being paid? Here is the honest answer — including why nobody can give you an exact one.

The Short Answer: Around $350,000 a Season

The most commonly cited current figure is an average of about $350,000 per season. That number is not pulled from thin air — it comes from a simple division: the league reportedly spends roughly $42 million a year on officiating compensation across approximately 120 active officials.

Older estimates, drawn from previous Collective Bargaining Agreement details, put the average closer to $205,000 — which works out to roughly $11,400 per regular-season game for an official working all 18 weeks. Both figures circulate, which is why you will see wildly different numbers depending on which article you land on.

Why Nobody Knows the Exact Number

The NFL does not release official salaries for referees and officials. Everything published — including the numbers above — is an estimate built from CBA leaks, league spending figures and reporting. Treat any article that quotes a precise salary with confidence as guessing precisely.

Playoffs and the Super Bowl

  • Playoff games are paid separately from the regular-season deal — estimates put them in the low thousands per game, rising with round, role and experience.
  • The Super Bowl referee — the crew chief, the one in the white hat — reportedly receives a bonus of $30,000 to $50,000.
  • Other on-field officials at the Super Bowl earn less than the head referee.

The Part Most People Do Not Know: It Is Part-Time

NFL officiating is not, for most of the crew, a full-time job. Officials hold careers outside football — lawyers, teachers, business owners, financial professionals — and work games around them. That reframes the money: $350,000 for roughly 18 weekends is extraordinary pay for part-time work, which is exactly why competition for these jobs is fierce and why officials have pushed for more.

What Else They Get

The NFL covers first-class flights, hotels and meals for every assignment. Officials typically fly to the game city on Friday or Saturday and return Monday — so a single game is a three-day commitment, not a Sunday afternoon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much do NFL referees make?

An estimated average of about $350,000 per season; older CBA-based estimates suggest nearer $205,000. The NFL does not publish exact figures.

How much per game?

Dividing an average season salary across 18 games gives roughly $11,400–$19,000 per game, depending on which season estimate you use.

What does the Super Bowl referee get?

A reported bonus of $30,000–$50,000, on top of regular compensation.

Are NFL referees full-time employees?

Mostly no — officiating is part-time and most officials have separate full-time careers.

Does the NFL pay their travel?

Yes — first-class flights, hotels and meals, with officials typically travelling Friday/Saturday and returning Monday.

All compensation figures are estimates — the NFL does not publish official salaries. Figures per Pro Football Network, Yahoo Sports, Last Word on Sports and reporting on league officiating spend, 2026. Photo: American football official signalling a touchdown, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.