College basketball referees are paid per game, not on a fixed salary. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is one of the top NCAA Division I conferences, so its officials are among the higher-paid college hoops referees. However, even in the ACC, officials usually work as independent contractors. They receive a fee for each game they officiate and typically cover their own travel and lodging (though some expenses may be reimbursed). This means an ACC referee’s income depends on how many games they get assigned plus postseason assignments.
Referees in a high-profile conference like the ACC can generally expect to earn between roughly $1,000 and $2,500 per game, with experienced veterans on the higher end. Some reports suggest that top NCAA Division I officials (including ACC, SEC, Big Ten, etc.) may be paid as much as $2,500 or even $3,000 for regular-season games. For an ACC game, it’s reasonable to estimate around $1,500–$2,000 per game on average, possibly more for marquee matchups. The exact fee often depends on the referee’s experience and rank, as well as the importance of the game (bigger rivalry or tournament games may pay more).
At lower levels of NCAA (Divisions II and III), officials make significantly less per game (often only $200–$800). But ACC games are top-tier, so officials there command the higher pay bracket. Unlike NBA referees, who have team payrolls, college refs are typically paid individually by the conference’s officials association on assignment.
Because ACC officials are paid per game, their annual income varies based on how many games they work. A full ACC official might work around 25–30 games in a season (including conference schedule plus conference tournament). For example, if an ACC ref averages $1,800 per game and officiates 30 games in a year, that would be $54,000 annually. Some sources cite average annual earnings for top college refs in the range of $60,000–$70,000, though this can include tournament bonuses.
Importantly, ACC officials may also get assignments in the NCAA Men’s Tournament (March Madness). While those games pay extra (for example, roughly $1,200 for first-round, $1,400 for second-round, and up to $2,000 for Final Four, historically), they usually work only a few tournament games each. A mid-career ACC referee might make well into five figures per season just from conference games, with a boost if selected for NCAA tournament rounds or the ACC Tournament. In many cases, officiating in college is a part-time job – many college refs have other primary careers (such as lawyers, teachers, or business owners) and officiate because they love the game.
Despite the decent per-game rates, college officials do not receive benefits like health insurance, sick leave, or pension from officiating. Their status as independent contractors means they handle their own taxes and insurance. They are typically reimbursed for travel and hotel when officiating away games, but they often pay for food and incidental expenses out of pocket. Because of this, many refs need to officiate in multiple sports (some ACC referees also call football or other sports) or supplement their income with non-sports jobs.
The ACC has a structured officials association, and referees are assigned to games by a head of officiating. Better-rated officials get more games. Newer ACC refs usually start by officiating a mix of conference and non-conference games and move up as they gain experience.
While the pay isn’t on par with professional leagues, ACC basketball referees are among the highest-paid college officials. By comparison, NBA referees earn around $20,000–$24,000 per game (including season salary equivalent), far above the college level. That said, many ACC officials dedicate decades to the profession. A referee earning $2,000 per game could indeed make north of $60,000 if assigned 35 games in a year (including regular season and tournaments).
In summary, an ACC college basketball referee can make a respectable per-game fee that adds up to a solid annual total if they are highly active. On average, these officials probably earn several thousand dollars per month during the season, translating to a five- or six-figure yearly figure for senior officials. However, they do not draw a typical salary and must continuously earn assignments. The nature of the job (independent contractor, intense travel) means referees tend to officiate for the love of the sport and competition, with the game fees as a reward rather than a traditional salary.
