How much does a referee make?

A baseball umpire arrives before the game, plans with partners who will cover home plate and the bases, then checks lineups and ground rules with the coaches. The plate umpire puts on a mask, pads, and hard-toed shoes before calling the game.

Did you know? A baseball home-plate umpire wears specially designed shoes with hard toes.

In the U.S., rules vary: some jobs ask for a high school diploma, classes, and a rules test, and many officials start in youth games. Soccer referees can start at 13 with U.S. Soccer’s online course and test, then contact a local game assigner.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., officials are often paid per game, so working more games can mean more pay. Rates rise with the level of competition and differ by league, employer, and location; experience and training can help officials qualify for higher-level games, while seasonal or part-time schedules limit how much they work.