How Much Does an NFL Referee Make? Breaking Down the Paycheck
The basics: What NFL referees earn per game
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be an NFL referee—not just the whistles and flags but the paycheck—you’re not alone. NFL officials are professional in their own right, but their salaries often surprise people.
On average, an NFL referee makes about $5,000 to $10,000 per game. Yeah, that’s quite a range, but it depends on experience and role. For rookies, it’s closer to the lower end; seasoned vets and crew chiefs can push that upper limit.
How many games do they work?
The regular NFL season has 17 games per team, but referees don’t officiate every week. Typically, an NFL official works about 16 to 20 games per season, including preseason and playoffs.
So, doing some quick math, a top referee could easily pull in around $150,000 to $200,000 per season just from game fees. Not too shabby for a job that’s part-time compared to full-time pro athletes.
Salary factors: What influences an NFL referee's pay?
Experience and position matter
Not all officials are created equal. The crew chief—the lead official on the field—earns more than side judges or line judges. Experience counts a lot; those with decades under their belt can negotiate better pay.
Plus, playoffs are a whole different story. Officials selected to work postseason games get extra bonuses, sometimes adding thousands to their annual income.
Other income sources
Believe it or not, many NFL referees have day jobs! Because officiating isn’t always a full-time gig, they often work as lawyers, teachers, or in corporate roles. That side hustle can add up to a pretty comfortable total income.
Comparing NFL referees' salaries to other sports officials
How do NFL refs stack up against NBA or MLB officials? Generally, NFL officials are on the higher end of the scale due to the sport’s popularity and revenue.
NBA referees make roughly $150,000 to $550,000 annually, with top refs earning closer to the half-million mark.
MLB umpires earn between $150,000 and $350,000 a year.
So yeah, NFL referees get a solid paycheck, but they’re not necessarily the highest paid in the sports world.
The path to becoming an NFL referee and the perks
It’s not easy to get there
Most NFL officials start at high school or college levels and climb through years of experience. They usually spend 10+ years in lower leagues before even getting a shot at the NFL.
Perks of being an NFL referee
Besides the paycheck, refs get to work in front of tens of thousands of screaming fans and millions of TV viewers. They also get access to NFL training camps, travel benefits, and, of course, the bragging rights.
But let’s be real—being an NFL referee is stressful as hell. Making split-second calls that can change games (and careers) means the job isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Final thoughts: Is NFL refereeing worth it?
If you’re a sports fanatic with a knack for rules and a cool head under pressure, being an NFL referee can be both rewarding and lucrative. The pay is good for a part-time gig, and the respect in the sports world is significant.
But it’s definitely a grind—years of unpaid or low-paid work before hitting the big league, plus constant scrutiny during games.
So, to sum up: NFL referees make a solid paycheck—between $150k and $200k per season, sometimes more with playoffs—plus some serious street cred. Not bad for calling penalties, right?
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.