Sports

How Much Do NFL Refs Earn For Working The Super Bowl?

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NFL referees are critical to an NFL game and sometimes determine the outcome of games with calls or missed calls.

As critical as the players and coaches are to a game, the show does not go on without the officiating crew.

The NFL’s weekly crews, led by the referee, include over a dozen officials who ensure the game goes smoothly. From umpires to various judges, replay officials, and alternates, all officials play important roles.

With such an important role, referees are well compensated for their roles.

Below is information regarding how much money refs and other officials make during the NFL regular season, playoffs, and Super Bowl.

NFL Referee Salary Regular Season

NFL officials earn an average salary of $205,000 during the regular season, based on the terms of the recent Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association.

The above amount is an average. Officials are paid more based on seniority and their specific roles on the officiating crew, with the referee leading each weekly crew. If an official works 18 games during the regular season, they are paid roughly $11,400 per game.

Considering the amount of money refs earn, it is understandable why some coaches and players get frustrated with some officials after games.

NFL Referee Salary Playoffs & Super Bowl

Not every official is selected to work postseason games, and playoff assignments are paid from a separate pool.

Refs and officials who work postseason contests add to their salaries.

NFL refs are reportedly paid $3,000 to $5,000 for postseason games leading up to the Super Bowl.

Officials in the Super Bowl are paid bonuses that exceed $30,000 and can reach up to $50,000.

It is a major bonus for officials who work the Super Bowl.

This is why refs are under even more scrutiny in the postseason and Super Bowl.

NFL Officiating Is Rarely A Full-Time Job

The average salary of an NFL ref is $205,000 per season. Still, they rarely consider officiating full-time, and most referees have a second job.

Officials receive a 401(k) but most still have another job besides officiating an NFL game.

Considering some officials are not selected for playoff games or the Super Bowl, they miss out on earning extra money.