How much does a umpire make?
The median umpire in the United States earns $40,710 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all umpires earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-2023.
Umpire salary range
Pay for umpires spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $26,540 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $82,960. The average (mean) wage of $53,010 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $26,540 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $32,260 | |
| Median (50th) | $40,710 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $57,160 | |
| 90th percentile | $82,960 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for umpires, referees, and other sports officials (SOC 27-2023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Umpire salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Umpires earn the most in New Jersey at $67,600 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $21,900. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $67,600 | 420 |
| North Dakota | $63,920 | 180 |
| South Carolina | $61,290 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $57,000 | 300 |
| Ohio | $55,040 | 580 |
| Louisiana | $50,080 | 310 |
| Illinois | $49,070 | 690 |
| Massachusetts | $48,400 | 250 |
| West Virginia | $46,490 | 50 |
| Arizona | $46,440 | 210 |
| Indiana | $46,140 | 170 |
| Vermont | $46,080 | 80 |
| California | $44,530 | 1,950 |
| Colorado | $44,230 | 1,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,200 | 320 |
| Iowa | $43,040 | 190 |
| Texas | $42,920 | 650 |
| Washington | $41,350 | 400 |
| Virginia | $40,840 | 260 |
| Connecticut | $39,530 | 200 |
| Oregon | $38,730 | 170 |
| Florida | $37,070 | 280 |
| Montana | $36,370 | 60 |
| South Dakota | $35,260 | 80 |
| Michigan | $34,560 | 340 |
| Missouri | $33,140 | 1,240 |
| Idaho | $32,250 | 170 |
| Utah | $31,430 | 1,100 |
| Nebraska | $31,390 | 40 |
| Georgia | $28,360 | 280 |
| Mississippi | $27,060 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $26,540 | 400 |
| Kansas | $25,780 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $21,900 | 220 |
State median wages for umpires, referees, and other sports officials (SOC 27-2023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for umpires
The BLS projects employment of umpires to grow 5.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 18,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 19,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,300 openings a year for umpires. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an umpire
The typical entry-level education for umpires is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an umpire earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $67,600) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $21,900) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 15,780 people work as umpires in the United States. At $40,710 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Umpire salary FAQ
How much does an umpire make an hour?
Umpires are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $40,710.
What is the highest umpire salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of umpires earn more than $82,960 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an umpire make a year?
The median annual salary for an umpire is $40,710. The average (mean) wage of $53,010 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an umpire a well paid job?
At $40,710 a year, an umpire earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 15,780 people work as umpires in the United States.
Which state pays umpires the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for umpires at $67,600 a year. North Dakota ($63,920) and South Carolina ($61,290) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an umpire a good career?
Employment of umpires is projected to grow 5.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an umpire?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for umpires as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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