Behind every close call, penalty flag, and replay review in the NFL is a team of highly trained officials tasked with maintaining fairness and integrity on the field. While players command the spotlight and multimillion-dollar contracts, NFL referees quietly operate under immense pressure—and are compensated accordingly.
Here’s a full breakdown of what NFL officials earn in 2025.
For the 2025 season, the average salary for an NFL referee is estimated to be around $250,000 to $270,000 per year. This figure represents the crew chief or head referee, who is responsible for leading the officiating team and making final decisions on the field.
Other officiating roles, such as line judges, back judges, and umpires, typically earn between $150,000 and $200,000, depending on experience and tenure.
Despite their six-figure salaries, most NFL referees are not considered full-time employees. They are seasonal workers, typically employed from the start of preseason in August through the Super Bowl in February. However, they do participate in regular training sessions, rules clinics, and film reviews during the offseason to stay sharp and up-to-date.
There are some officials—often younger or promoted prospects—who may be brought on in developmental or full-time roles, but the majority maintain other jobs during the offseason.
Officiating in the postseason brings additional compensation, and not every official is guaranteed a postseason assignment. These spots are performance-based, with the NFL grading referees weekly during the regular season.
Working high-stakes games like the Divisional Round, Conference Championships, or the Super Bowl can net officials several thousand extra dollars in bonuses. The Super Bowl crew, for instance, earns a notably larger payout, often considered a career milestone.
Referees are assigned to different cities each week, with travel expenses and accommodations covered by the NFL. Officials typically fly out Friday or Saturday, review game plans with their crews, and return home Monday after the game. Though it’s a part-time role on paper, it’s a demanding one, with a weekly schedule packed with travel, preparation, and performance scrutiny.
While there are only about 120 NFL officials across all crews, turnover is relatively low. Many officials spend decades working in the league, and advancement to the top crew positions (like referee or replay official) requires years of experience.
Job security is performance-based. Every call is graded by the league, and consistent underperformance can lead to demotion or removal from the rotation.
NFL referees in 2025 are well-compensated professionals entrusted with keeping one of the world’s most high-profile sports running smoothly. While they may not enjoy the fame or fortune of the athletes they officiate, their earnings reflect the pressure and precision demanded by the job. Whether calling holding penalties or confirming touchdowns under the hood, these officials play a vital role—and get paid accordingly.
