How Much Do Soccer Referees Make? [Full Breakdown 2023]

Soccer referees over the years have continuously proven they’re one of the most important officials of the beautiful game, with their unflinching professionalism and dedication despite the inexplicable pressure that comes with the job.

Being a referee in charge of a game can be very tasking because it leaves no room for mistakes that could lead to the fans, managers, and players questioning how good such an official is.

At the grandest of stages in soccer, you’re to see the best of referees officiate the game. So how big is their paycheck for doing their job?

How Much Do Soccer Referees Make?

Of course, it depends. The bigger the stakes, the higher the pay. Referee pay varies significantly throughout the world’s top leagues.

A referee in the World Cup finals will be paid far more than one officiating a match in a normal top-flight league.

• Referees Classifications & Earning

Recently a report was revealed detailing how much referees are paid in each country and the world at large concerning soccer officials. According to the UEFA website, the European governing body also categorized what referees earn based on their rank and experience.

These referees are classified into divisions and include:

• Elite referees : $8,000
• Elite development referees: $6,500
• First referee: $3,000
• Second referee: $2,000
• Third referee: $1,000.

All of the referees classified into different divisions get paid different amounts after officiating a game. The officials who fall under the elite category of referees are the most experienced with a minimum of 5-6 years of officiating experience in their respective domestic leagues.

Though not all referees listed in the elite category earn big after officiating a game. However, the majority of the referees in the elite division are been paid handsomely.

The breakdown of their earnings is from $10,000, and it’s simply paid to those who officiate in the knockout stages of a major tournament, while those who officiate in the group stages earn $8,000.

The referees under the elite development, they’re paid $6,500, the first referee earns $3,000, the second referee $2,000 and the third referee earns $1,000.

The assistant referees under the same categories also earn decently after each game they oversee.

For the assistant referee under the elite referee’s division, they earn $3,000, elite development earns $2,000, the first referee earns $750, the second referee earns $550 and the third assistant referee earns $350.

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Soccer Referees’ Pay In European Leagues

The major European leagues draw the biggest football-loving audience from around the world. Understandably, refereeing jobs in these leagues are the most sought-after. However, there are variations in referees’ pay even among the European divisions.

Earnings for referees can be impacted by a number of factors, including labor laws, prominence, and league structure.

The English Premier League is the most watched league in the world but surprisingly doesn’t come close to La Liga in terms of what the league federation is paying their match officials.

As reported by Goal.com, Spain offers the highest basic salary to their referees in the game presently, with one of the referees from the country named the highest-paid referee in the world.

The basic salaries of referees from top-flight leagues across the world include:

League	Pay per game
La Liga – Spain	$6,354
Bundesliga – Germany	$3,851
Seria A – Italy	$3,667
Ligue 1 – France	$2.934
NOS – Portugal	$1,222
Premier League – England	$1,833
Champions League – Europe	$855-$6,700

Note that the basic salaries of soccer referees above are per match. However, at the end of the year, some of them earn a basic yearly retainer between £45,000 to £75,000 based on experience and the category they belong to.

Soccer Referees’ Pay In Champions League

The Champions League, which hosts the top best 32 teams from around Europe, is the golden standard for referees.

Understandably, the best referees in the world are appointed for these competitions and are paid handsomely.

Category	Match Referee	Assistant Referee	Fourth  Official
Elite	$10,000	$3,000	$1,000
Elite Development	$6,500	$2,000	$800
First	$3,000	$750	N/A
Second	$2,000	$550	N/A
Third	$1,000	$350	N/A

When appointed for a major game, the assistant referee receives ($2,500) per game, and could receive up to $1,000 per game in group matches.

As for the fourth officials, they are paid $1,000 if they are appointed for the knockout stages and final matches of the Champions League. During the group games, they receive up to $750 per game.

How Much Does A Champions League Assistant Referee Get Paid Per Game?

UEFA Champions League assistant referees earn between $350-$3000 per game. Along with these match earnings, UEFA referees receive a daily meal allowance of €200 and a lump sum of $272 (€200) for travel expenditures such as visas, accommodation, and all.

However, only a few Elite center referees get that pay rate. The majority of the officials in charge of Europe’s most prominent matches actually earn less than the average bi-monthly salary of a 9-5 worker.

Youth Soccer Referee Pay

Age	Referee Pay	Assistant Pay
Under 19	$50	$32
Under 16	$50	$32
Under 14	$38	$20
Under 12	$32	$16
Under 10	$27	$14
Under 8	$27	n/a

Highest Paid Referees In Soccer On The Elite Division

• Damir Skomina – ($10,000, Slovenia)
• Cuneyt Cakir – ($10,000, Turkey)
• Bjorn Kuipers – ($10,000, Netherlands)
• Felix Brych – ($10,000, Germany)
• Clement Turpin – ($10,000, France)
• Danny Makkelie – ($8,000, Netherlands)
• Antonio Mateu Lahoz – ($8,000, Spain)
• Daniele Orsato – ($8,000, Italy)
• Gianluca Rocchi – ($8,000, Italy)
• William Collum – ($8,000, Scotland)

The referees listed above are the game’s most experienced and highest-paid in the world presently, though one of them retired in 2022 prior to his retirement, Cuneyt Cakir is ranked among the highest-paid referee in soccer.

The Turkish referee is well known for officiating the 2015 UEFA Champions League between Juventus and Barcelona and a lot of games in UEFA’s club competition.

While popular Spanish soccer referee Mateu Lahoz, who falls under the elite development is also ranked as one of the highest-paid officials in the game, based on what he earns in Spanish La Liga.

Mark Clattenburg, a former Premier League referee though not included in the list, is reported to be earning $650k per season in the Saudi Arabian topflight. Since he’s not officiating on the grandest of stages, he is not listed as one of the top-earning referees.

SEE ALSO | 3 REASONS WHY SOCCER PLAYERS GRAB THE BALL AFTER SCORING.

How Much Do Referees In Qatar 2022 World Cup Earn?

Presently at the World Cup in Qatar, a total of 36 field soccer referees, 69 assistant referees, and 24 video assistant referees from the six Confederations of the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) are taking part in the biggest soccer tournament.

Main soccer referees in Qatar are reported to earn €5000 per game during the group stage and €10,000 for the knockout games and the final.

The assistant referee and 4th official will earn €2,500 for the matches in the group stages and €5000 for the matches in the knockout stages and final.

The total number of video assistant referees (VAR) at the World Cup is 24 in number, and their earnings rank from €3000 per game in the final stage of the tournament their bonuses will increase to €5000

Interestingly the female referees in Qatar like Yamashita Yoshimi, Stephanie Frappart, and Salima Mukansanga earn the same amount of money as their male colleagues.

While female assistant referees like Neuza Back, Karen Diaz Medina, and Kathryn Nesbitt also receive the same bonuses as the men.

Officials	Per Match Fees	Playoff & Finals Fees	Tournament Payouts
Match Referees	€5,000	€10,000	€300,000
Assistant Referees	€2,500	€5,000	€150,000
Fourth Official	€2,500	€5,000	€150,000
Video Assistant Referees	€3,000	€5,000	€175,000

How Much Do La Liga Referees Get Paid?

Soccer referees in the Spanish La Liga earn around $6,354 per game.

Match Ref Per Match	Assistance Ref Per Match	VAR Per Match
$6,354	$3,640	$4,250
Annual Pay	Annual Pay	Annual Pay
$300,000	$85,000	$103,000

How Much Do Premier League Referees Get Paid?

Referees in the English Premier League earn around $1,833 per game.

Match Ref Per Match	Assistance Ref Per Match	VAR Per Match
$1,833	$960 – $1,160	$960 – $1,160
Annual Pay	Annual Pay	Annual Pay
$66,000 – $274,000	$41,000	$41,000

But there’s a catch to this. In England, soccer referees are paid a yearly retainer, which is something really distinctive compared to other leagues.

How Much Do Bundesliga Referees Get Paid?

Soccer referees in the German Bundesliga earn around $3,851 per game.

Match Ref Per Match	Assistance Ref Per Match	VAR Per Match
$3,851	$1,200 -$22,000	$1,200
Annual Pay	Annual Pay	Annual Pay
$51,000 – $84,000	$22,000 – $30,000	$22,000 – $30,000

How Much Do Serie A Referees Get Paid?

Soccer referees in Italian Seria A earn around $3,667.

Match Ref Per Match	Assistance Ref Per Match	VAR Per Match
$3,667	$1,160	$1,160
Annual Pay	Annual Pay	Annual Pay
$205,000	N/A	N/A

How Much Do Ligue 1 Referees Get Paid?

Soccer referees in French Ligue 1 earn around $2,934 per game.

Match Ref Per Match	Assistance Ref Per Match	VAR Per Match
$2.934	$960	$960
Annual Pay	Annual Pay	Annual Pay
$227,000	N/A	N/A

How Much Do Primeira Liga Referees Get Paid?

Referees in the Portuguese NOS  earn around $1,222 per game.

Match Ref Per Match	Assistance Ref Per Match	VAR Per Match
$1,222	$685	$685
Annual Pay	Annual Pay	Annual Pay
$130,000	N/A	N/A

How Much Do Eredivise Referees Get Paid?

Referees in the Portuguese NOS  earn around $1,350 per game.

Match Ref Per Match	Assistance Ref Per Match	VAR Per Match
$1,350	$750	$750
Annual Pay	Annual Pay	Annual Pay
$96,000	N/A	N/A