Behind every NBA and G League game are the referees — officials responsible for keeping the action fair, fast, and within the rules. While fans often focus on players' salaries, officiating at the professional level is also a serious career, with its own earning structure, responsibilities, and opportunities for advancement.
As of 2025, the gap between NBA referees and G League referees remains noticeable, reflecting differences in league stature, experience expectations, and overall exposure.
Here's a closer look at how salaries compare, and what it takes to move up the ladder.
NBA referees are among the highest-paid officials in professional sports. Entry-level NBA referees, typically in their first few years, can expect to earn around $250,000 annually. As referees gain experience and earn playoff assignments, their salaries increase significantly. Veteran referees, especially those trusted with postseason and Finals games, can make upwards of $550,000 per year or more.
In addition to base salaries, NBA referees also receive benefits, travel stipends, and playoff bonuses. Referees who work later rounds of the playoffs or the NBA Finals often see substantial additional earnings based on the importance of the games they officiate.
The structure rewards both longevity and consistent high performance, and competition for full-time NBA officiating roles is intense.
G League referees operate on a different scale. The G League — the NBA’s official minor league — serves as a proving ground for both players and officials hoping to make it to the top level.
Referees in the G League generally earn around $40,000 to $60,000 per season, depending on experience and assignment load. While significantly lower than NBA salaries, G League officiating still provides a full-time income during the season, along with travel reimbursements and opportunities for professional development.
Importantly, the G League is structured as a training and evaluation league for referees as well. Strong performances can lead to promotion into the NBA officiating program, making it a stepping stone rather than a final destination for many officials.
While salary is the most obvious difference, there are other important distinctions between officiating at the NBA and G League levels:
Each level requires strong officiating fundamentals, but the expectations and visibility grow exponentially at the NBA level.
The path from G League to NBA refereeing is challenging but rewarding for those who succeed.
While G League salaries in 2025 offer a sustainable starting point for aspiring professional officials, NBA referees at the top level earn significantly more, reflecting the demands and pressure of working in the world's premier basketball league.
For officials chasing the dream of reaching the NBA, the G League remains an essential proving ground — one where the best eventually rise, both in responsibility and in pay.
