Also called: Referee, Umpire, Youth Sports Official
Referees and umpires high school and youth games in sports like basketball, football and baseball, usually part-time on evenings and weekends.
After work or school, they officiate a JV basketball game at 5 p.m. and the varsity game at 7. They handle angry parents and coaches calmly. There is a nationwide shortage of officials.
Based on BLS umpires, referees, and other sports officials (27-2023), May 2024 estimates; most officials work part-time. High school officials earn about $50-$150 per game.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. State association certification and rules exams.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Physical Education.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Shortage of officials creates opportunities.
Low risk for 10 years. Live officiating at high school and youth games stays human, and there is a shortage of refs.
Age 14+. One way to start: Take the U.S. Soccer Grassroots referee course (13+) or your state's officials course, then work youth games First: Referee course or state association registration and rules exam; adults also need a background check
Classes: Physical education, Speech, Psychology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-2023.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.