Question Number: 22675

Law 5 - The Referee 12/27/2009

RE: Competive High School

Alex Ayala of Sacramento, CA US asks...

How much do referees get paid per game? (center and assistant refferes)

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

This is a local issue; leagues pay whatever the market will bear. The level of games will have differing payscales.

For example, my recreational league pays $15 (center only) for a U8 game and $38/$24 (center, AR) for a U19 game. In the State Premier League, the rates are $60/$40 for U19. High school games have another rate.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alex
The rates in Europe would be broadly similar and referees would be expected to travel to up to 25 miles before an out of pocket mileage travel expense would be paid. A typical game for me would normally involve some 4/5 hours of my time which includes travel, match preparation and the match itself.

Answer provided by Referee Tom Stagliano

Alex

You inquired about pay for High School soccer referees in the California area. I hope you are considering becoming a high school soccer referee. Every state association can use more referees for the high school games.

In Massachusetts, we use a dual system of refereeing (two referees, both with whistles and equal authority, similar to basketball). For a Varsity soccer game the pay (per referee) is $75. For all sub-varsity games, the pay is $53. Many sub-varsity (middle school and freshman) games use one referee and that ref receives a fee-and-one-half or $79.50.

I believe Connecticut and New Hampshire have slightly higher fees for the soccer referees.

During our post season tournament, in the State round of 16 for each division, we switch to three-referee system (one CR and two ARs) and each receives $85 per game.

NOTE: In most states, the soccer, baseball, basketball and ice hockey referees all receive the same or similar pay per game per official. Some rural areas will include some mileage amounts in addition to the game fee, and some areas will have the referees officiate a Varsity game followed by a JV game. I know when I officiated in the Los Angeles area, I did several of those types of games for LA city and received more than a Varsity fee but less than a Varsity plus a JV fee. However in Massachusetts, when we referee a double header, we receive a double fee.

Each state association (CA has a North and a South) sets their own fees. However, they tend to be much more than one would earn for youth games on the weekend, because there is more travel expected and because one must work games that are in the late afternoon during the week which may interfere with one's regular job.

- Stag