Illinois Median
$49,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $40,710
State Rank
#7 of 34
690 employed here
How much do Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials make in Illinois?
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials in Illinois take home a median of $49,070 annually — roughly $23.59 an hour — which runs 21% above the national median of $40,710.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $86,860 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,310 and $82,960 a year.
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,310 | $16.98 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,070 | $23.59 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $82,960 | $39.88 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,860 | $41.76 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 7th out of 34 states and territories for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary in other states
New Jersey $67,600North Dakota $63,920South Carolina $61,290Wisconsin $57,000Ohio $55,040Louisiana $50,080Massachusetts $48,400West Virginia $46,490Arizona $46,440Indiana $46,140Vermont $46,080California $44,530Colorado $44,230Pennsylvania $44,200Iowa $43,040Texas $42,920Washington $41,350Virginia $40,840Connecticut $39,530Oregon $38,730Florida $37,070Montana $36,370South Dakota $35,260Michigan $34,560Missouri $33,140Idaho $32,250Utah $31,430Nebraska $31,390Georgia $28,360Mississippi $27,060North Carolina $26,540Kansas $25,780Oklahoma $21,900
Working as Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials in Illinois
Nationally, about 16,000 people work as Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($49,070) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials make in Illinois?
The median Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary in Illinois is $49,070 per year, or about $23.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $86,860 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials about 21% more than the national median of $40,710. Illinois ranks 7th out of 34 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $49,070 a year. About 690 Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.