College Football Referee Salary: How to Become, Highest Paid Referee, How Much Does Make Per Game

College football is one of the most popular and exciting sports in the United States, attracting millions of fans and generating billions of dollars in revenue every year. But behind the scenes, there is a group of professionals who play a vital role in ensuring the fairness and integrity of the game: the referees.

Referees are the ones who enforce the rules, make the calls, and keep the game flowing smoothly. They have to be knowledgeable, impartial, and decisive, as well as physically fit and mentally alert. They also have to deal with the pressure, criticism, and scrutiny that come with their job.

But how much do college football referees make? How do they become qualified and hired? Who are the highest-paid referees in college football? And how much do they make per game? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, based on the latest information available for this.

How Much Do College Football Referees Make?

The salary of college football referees depends on several factors, such as their level of experience, conference affiliation, and the importance of the games they officiate. The average college football referee salary in the US is $61,498, with a range from $11,753 to $314,406. However, this does not include bonuses, travel expenses, or other benefits that may vary by conference.

College football referees are typically paid per game, rather than per season or per hour. The amount they receive per game also varies by conference and by game type. college football referees will get an average of $800 to $2,500 per game in 2023. However, in the Power Five conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC), which are known for their intense competition and high-profile games, referees can make up to $3,500 per game. Smaller conferences pay less, with a typical game fee of $1,000 to $1,500.

Referees with more experience and a history of officiating prestigious games are also paid more. For example, referees who work in bowl games or playoff games can earn a bonus of $1,500 to $3,000 per game. Additionally, some referees may have other sources of income from their regular jobs or from officiating other sports.

How to Become a College Football Referee?

Becoming a college football referee is not easy. It takes years of practice and experience before one can even apply for the job. Like many professions that do not require certifications or licenses, one has to start from the bottom and work their way up to the college level. Here are some steps that aspiring college football referees need to take:

• Start in your community: Master the game of football and all of its rules and regulations before moving up through the ranks. To do that, referees typically start with pee-wee and junior leagues in their communities. Volunteer to referee in pee-wee leagues. Join the local chapter of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to meet mentors and move into high school refereeing, where you can begin to earn part-time wages and be seen by conference recruiters.
• Earn certifications: While you are taking on part-time gigs through local leagues, take online courses through an organization such as USA Football. The courses prepare you to referee using proper techniques, signals and positioning. Make a video of your performance, so that you will have something to show during an interview with a college conference. Attend officiating camps and workshops to build up your resume and network with college-level refs.
• Apply for JV football jobs: Find out which colleges are hiring junior varsity football referees and ask to be put on the roster. According to Steve Furniss, coordinator of football officials for the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), each director at the various college conferences looks for refs who have worked at the college level. Refereeing for college junior varsity leagues is usually the final step before getting into the major college conferences.
• Prepare for a call: Once you have applied for a conference league referee position, prepare yourself for the interview by continuing to referee games in smaller leagues, attending association meetings and keeping yourself physically fit. Coordinators hiring college football referees will test your skills and knowledge in a written test they devise and by watching you in action. At the interview, you will also be asked for a list of the games you have officiated; evaluations from camps and training programs you attended; and references from senior referees you worked with.

Who Are the Highest Paid Referees in College Football?

Hank Johns and Mike Defee are two of the highest paid college football referees; they have a $94,000 annual salary. Amanda Sauer is the best-paid female referee in college football now.

However, these figures may not reflect the actual earnings of the referees, as they may not include bonuses, travel expenses, or other benefits. Moreover, the salaries of college football referees may change from year to year, depending on the contracts and negotiations between the conferences and the officials.

How Much Do College Football Referees Make Per Game?

As mentioned earlier, college football referees are paid per game, rather than per season or per hour. The amount they make per game depends on several factors, such as their conference affiliation and the importance of the game. College football referees will get an average of $800 to $2,500 per game in 2023. However, in the Power Five conferences, referees can make up to $3,500 per game. Smaller conferences pay less, with a typical game fee of $1,000 to $1,500. Referees who work in bowl games or playoff games can earn a bonus of $1,500 to $3,000 per game.

Conclusion

College football referees are professionals who play a crucial role in ensuring the fairness and integrity of the game. They have to be knowledgeable, impartial, and decisive, as well as physically fit and mentally alert. They also have to deal with the pressure, criticism, and scrutiny that come with their job.

College football referees make a decent salary, but it varies by several factors, such as their level of experience, conference affiliation, and the importance of the games they officiate. They are typically paid per game, rather than per season or per hour. The average college football referee salary in the US is $61,498, with a range from $11,753 to $314,406. The average college football referee fee per game is $800 to $2,500, but it can go up to $3,500 in the Power Five conferences or even higher in bowl games or playoff games.

Becoming a college football referee is not easy. It takes years of practice and experience before one can even apply for the job. One has to start from the bottom and work their way up to the college level. One has to earn certifications, attend camps and workshops, apply for JV football jobs, and prepare for a rigorous interview process.

Hank Johns and Mike Defee are two of the highest paid college football referees; they have a $94,000 annual salary. Amanda Sauer is the best-paid female referee in college football now.

If you are interested in becoming a college football referee or want to learn more about their salary and career path, here are some frequently asked questions and answers that may help you.

Most Asked Questions and Answers

Q: How long does it take to become a college football referee?

A: It depends on several factors, such as your level of dedication, availability, performance, and luck. Generally speaking, it may take anywhere from five to 10 years or more to become a college football referee.

Q: How many college football referees are there?

A: According to Referee Magazine, there are about 3,000 college football referees in the US across all divisions and conferences.

Q: How many referees are on the field in a college football game?

A: According to NCAA rules, there are seven on-field officials in a college football game: the referee ®, the umpire (U), the head linesman (HL), the line judge (LJ), the field judge (FJ), the side judge (SJ), and the back judge (BJ). Each official has a specific position and responsibility on the field.

Q: What are the qualifications for becoming a college football referee?

A: There are no formal qualifications or requirements for becoming a college football referee. However, one has to demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skill, and professionalism in officiating football games at various levels. One also has to pass a written test and an on-field evaluation by the conference coordinators.

Q: What are the benefits of being a college football referee?

A: Being a college football referee can be rewarding in many ways. Some of the benefits include:

• Being part of a team and a community of officials who share a passion for the game
• Having an opportunity to travel and see different places and stadiums
• Having an opportunity to work with some of the best coaches and players in college football
• Having an opportunity to improve one’s physical fitness and mental agility
• Having an opportunity to earn extra income and bonuses
• Having an opportunity to challenge oneself and learn new skills

Q: What are the challenges of being a college football referee?

A: Being a college football referee can also be challenging in many ways. Some of the challenges include:

• Having to balance one’s regular job and family life with one’s officiating schedule
• Having to deal with

• Having to deal with the pressure, criticism, and scrutiny that come with their job
• Having to cope with the physical and mental stress and fatigue of officiating multiple games in a season
• Having to keep up with the changes and updates in the rules and regulations of college football
• Having to face the risk of injury or illness from the contact and exposure on the field

Q: How do college football referees get evaluated and promoted?

A: College football referees get evaluated and promoted based on their performance, feedback, and seniority. Each conference has its own system of evaluation and promotion, but generally speaking, referees are graded and ranked by the coordinators and supervisors after each game. They also receive feedback from their peers, coaches, players, and media. Referees who perform well and consistently can move up to higher levels of competition, such as bowl games or playoff games. Referees who perform poorly or inconsistently can be demoted or dismissed.

Q: How do college football referees communicate with each other on the field?

A: College football referees communicate with each other on the field using a combination of verbal signals, hand signals, and electronic devices. Verbal signals are used to announce the calls and penalties to the players, coaches, and fans. Hand signals are used to indicate the type of foul, the direction of the play, the spot of the ball, and other information. Electronic devices are used to communicate with each other privately and discreetly. These devices include wireless microphones, headsets, earpieces, and pagers.

Q: What are some of the common mistakes that college football referees make?

A: College football referees are human beings who can make mistakes from time to time. Some of the common mistakes that college football referees make include:

• Missing or misinterpreting a call or a penalty
• Losing track of the clock or the downs
• Being out of position or obstructing the play
• Being inconsistent or biased in their judgments
• Being influenced by external factors such as crowd noise, weather conditions, or media pressure

Q: How do college football referees deal with controversial calls or disputes?

A: College football referees deal with controversial calls or disputes by following the established procedures and protocols of their conference and the NCAA. These procedures and protocols may include:

• Consulting with other officials on the field or in the replay booth
• Reviewing the video evidence or using instant replay
• Explaining or clarifying their calls or penalties to the coaches or players
• Admitting or correcting their errors or omissions
• Accepting or appealing their sanctions or suspensions

Q: What are some of the best practices or tips for becoming a better college football referee?

A: Some of the best practices or tips for becoming a better college football referee include:

• Studying and reviewing the rules and regulations of college football regularly
• Practicing and improving one’s officiating skills and techniques constantly
• Seeking feedback and advice from experienced and respected referees frequently
• Attending training programs and workshops offered by professional associations or organizations periodically
• Keeping oneself physically fit and mentally sharp throughout the season