The Referees are an integral part of the NFL games. They ensure that the rules of the game are enforced and that the game is played safely and fairly. The diligent efforts of the seven-man 'Ref Crew' help the game proceed smoothly. The Referee leads the crew, and the rest of the crew members are bound to follow his lead, as he makes the final call. According to NFL's official website, the league has 121 total officials.
NFL officials enforce football regulations throughout games. There are seven NFL officials on the field: a Referee, Umpire, Head Linesman, Line Judge, Side Judge, Back Judge, and Field Judge, according to NFL's official website. The National Football League Referees Association (NFLRA) serves as the union that represents officials in the NFL. NFL is one of the only two major sports leagues in the USA to pay their officials on a contract basis as opposed to being full-time salaried employees. Another is MLS (Major League Soccer).
What is an NFL Referee’s Salary?
According to Pro Football Network, the average annual salary for an NFL referee is $205,000. Those who officiate playoff games, including the Super Bowl, receive additional payouts.
Referees working in the postseason get bonuses starting from $3k to $5k for every playoff game. However, for a Super Bowl game, that amount goes up to 10 times i.e. 30k to 50k (via Pro Football Network).
Also Read: How much does a White Hat Referee get paid in the NFL?
FAQs on NFL Refs Earnings
A. NFL referees work around 17 regular-season games per year. They can also officiate the playoff games as well as the Super Bowl.
A. The NFL's Officiating Department selects the referees (via NFL.com).
A. 121 NFL officials call plays in the NFL as of 2025 (via NFL.com).
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