Question Number: 24774

Law 5 - The Referee 4/5/2011

RE: competive Under 11

Oscar of Tulsa, Oklahoma United states asks...

This question is a follow up to question 1015

I am a student studying careers. Please answer these questions if you can.

1) How much do you get paid annually?
2) How do you become a professional ref?
3) What education do you need?
4) What is the best city or country to live in, to be successful?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Oscar
1. Referees are paid on match fee basis depending on the level of the game. Some countries have professional referees such as the English Premier League where they are paid an annual salary retainer plus a match fee. It was reported a number of years ago that the remuneration package was circa ?60,000
2. There is a pathway for referees set out in each country. A referee starts out at the lowest level and then progresses through the different levels. Information on USSF Referee Development Programs can be viewed here
http://www.ussoccer.com/Referees/ResourceCenter/~/media/3141D337B4E440B29475EF0C6080A19C.ashx
3. There is no minimum education level
4. A referee can be successful in his own country. With restricted immigration laws it is unlikely that persons can choose countries to move to in which to become a referee.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Most referees of this game do it for the love of the game - the remuneration is unlikely to count as a 'career' - more like a beloved hobby that provides some supplemental income and fitness to boot.

How much one gets paid depends on the type of games you get assigned, how much time you have to devote (usually on weekends), and where you live. Most weekend referees can clear $200 a weekend if they work a couple of games each day.

Becoming a professional referee involves much study and experience acquired over years of games, a fair amount of monetary investment, and the help of mentors. The USSF has a program for referees set out in our Referee Administrative Handbook.

Being able to read and write is useful, being fluent in another language (Spanish helps around here) is very useful, and understanding how to stay fit enough to run/sprint for 90+ minutes end to end on the field and still have the mental facility to make reasoned decisions helps. It also helps to learn how to take criticism and not run screaming home.

Where you live is a good place to start. Moving to another country for this adventure isn't advised.