Refereeing at any level of football can be difficult, but how much do Refs earn for their troubles? The figure varies depending on experience and the level of competition they’re involved in refereeing.
So how much do Premier League Referees earn? Well, Refs in the top flight of English football can earn as much as £70,000 per year. They receive a basic salary of between £38,500 and £42,000 per year. On top of that figure, they receive £1,150 per match they officiate.
One division down from the Premier League, Championship referees receive the same basic yearly retainer. However, the match payment is half that of a Premier League Referee at £600 per game.
In 2018, La Liga gave their referees a significant salary hike as part of a new agreement with their football officials. A top-flight referee in Spain now earns €296,423 (£267,718).
The top referees from across the world can also earn additional payments if they’re chosen to officiate European competitions. Champions League referees are divided into tiers depending on experience; Elite tier officials are paid over £5,500 per game. Elite Development referees get £3,800, while the bottom tier gets £700 per game.
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WHO’S THE HIGHEST PAID REF?
Like those playing the game, this figure continues to increase. In 2017, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg signed a deal with the Saudi Arabian FA worth an alleged $650,000 yearly. That helped make Clattenburg the highest-earning referee in any sport in the world.
In the table below (source TSM Sports), you can see the best-paid match officials in Premier League. It includes the referees selected regularly for Europa League and Champions League matches. Mike Dean, Michael Oliver and Martin Atkinson are said to earn over £200,000.
|
REFEREES |
Per Match Fees |
Basic Salary |
|
Martin Atkinson |
£1,500 |
£200,000 |
|
Anthony Taylor |
£1,500 |
£70,000 |
|
Mike Dean |
£1,500 |
£200,000 |
|
Michael Oliver |
£1,500 |
£200,000 |
|
Kevin Friend |
£1,500 |
£70,000 |
|
Chris Kavanagh |
£1,500 |
£70,000 |
|
Paul Tierney |
£1,500 |
£70,000 |
|
Jonathan Moss |
£1,500 |
£70,000 |
|
Andre Marriner |
£1,500 |
£70,000 |
|
Stuart Attwell |
£1,500 |
£70,000 |
|
Graham Scott |
£1,500 |
£48,000 |
|
Craig Pawson |
£1,500 |
£48,000 |
|
Lee Mason |
£1,500 |
£48,000 |
|
David Coote |
£1,500 |
£48,000 |
|
Simon Hooper |
£1,500 |
£48,000 |
|
Peter Bankes |
£1,500 |
£48,000 |
|
Andy Madley |
£1,500 |
£48,000 |
HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO OTHER SPORTS?
It’s reported that a Cricket Umpire can earn around $100,000 (£76,000). Those Umpires involved in the Indian Premier League can earn an extra $2,500 per match. The top umpires in Tennis are also well renumerated, earning approximately £35,000 per year.
In the USA, some incredible wages are available for a top referee or official in major league sports. A seasoned referee in the NBA earns $3,500 (£2,687) per game or $500,000 (£383,975) annually. In NFL referees now make an annual salary of around $205,000 (£157,492), an increase of around $56,000 from their previous amount.
HOW DO YOU BECOME A REFEREE?
It’s relatively easy to become a qualified Referee in England. According to the FA website, more and more people of all ages, genders, races, and abilities are getting into refereeing. Read More Here.
WHO IS THE MOST FAMOUS REFEREE?
Pierluigi Collina is up there as one of the most famous. Collina was a FIFA-listed referee from 1995 to 2005 and was named FIFA’s “Best Referee of the Year” a record six consecutive times. He was involved in some huge matches during his time, including the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final between Brazil and Germany and the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
He even appeared on the front cover of Pro Evolution Soccer 3, considered as one of the best football games of the PlayStation 2 era.
Howard Webb is one of the most famous English referees. He retired from active refereeing on 6 August 2014 to serve as the Technical Director of the Professional Game Match Officials Board. In 2010, he became the first to referee the World Cup Final and Champions League Final in the same year.
IT PAYS THE BILLS
So, there you have it! Being a referee is not as lucrative as being a Premier League footballer. However, if your football skills aren’t up to Ronaldo’s standard or even the level of Phil Jones, you can still make a good living as a referee.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A PREMIER LEAGUE REF?
The journey to becoming a Premier League referee requires considerable length and commitment. While there isn’t a fixed timeline because each individual’s journey will vary based on personal circumstances, training, and progression, it can generally take 10 to 15 years of experience to reach the professional level.
Here’s a general breakdown:
Initial Start: Grassroots Level
The journey often begins at the grassroots level, where prospective referees must complete a Basic Referee Course. This course, organized by county football associations, takes a few weeks and offers a thorough understanding of the game’s rules. After successful completion, the referee officiates at the local youth and amateur level.
Progressing Through the Ranks: Years 1-5
Once the initial course is completed, referees can start officiating local league matches. During the early years, local referee associations closely monitor and assess performance. Depending on the level of success and aptitude shown, referees can quickly move up through the ranks, from youth leagues to adult leagues and from local to regional matches. This phase can take anywhere from 2 to 5 years.
Moving Up: Years 6-10
After about five years of experience, referees who have shown exceptional talent and dedication may start officiating semi-professional and professional matches in lower leagues. At this stage, the referee must take an advanced course to become a National List Referee. Reaching this level usually takes about 10 years of total experience.
Premier League: Years 10+
Reaching the Premier League, the top of English football is a feat achieved by only a select few. From starting the journey as a referee, it can take upwards of 10 years to reach this level. Once on the National List, referees who continue to excel can be selected for the Select Group of Referees, who officiate Premier League matches.
It’s worth noting that not all referees will follow the same path, and the time it takes to reach the Premier League can vary. Success will depend on the individual’s ability, dedication, fitness, performance under pressure, and successful decision-making during games. This journey isn’t just about years spent but also about the quality of refereeing and the capacity to manage games effectively at each level.
Throughout their careers, all referees undergo continuous training and development, including physical fitness sessions, laws of the game training, and reviews of their match performances. They need to maintain high levels of fitness and pass rigorous fitness tests on a regular basis. The process is challenging and requires hard work, resilience, and a genuine passion for the game.
