Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $51,210 +31.9% vs national
Median hourly —
10th percentile $29,120
90th percentile $82,930
Employed locally 580
National median $38,820

Compare Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,120
    25th
    $31,960
    50th (median)
    $51,210
    75th
    $78,940
    90th
    $82,930

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary vs area income 58% Median Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary is 42% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA $83,580
    Massachusetts $83,570
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $83,570
    West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area $81,600
    Green Bay, WI $77,670
    Bismarck, ND $68,550

    Nearby metros — Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Illinois $47,010
    West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area $46,650
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $45,930
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $40,840
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $39,770
    St. Louis, MO-IL $37,300

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $47,770
    Graphic Designers $62,490
    Public Relations Specialists $63,910
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $38,640
    Editors $71,600
    Producers and Directors $78,490

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials in Chicago, IL-IN is —, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make — or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salaries?

    The median Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 31.9% above the national median of $38,820. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials in Chicago?

    Entry-level Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials (10th percentile) earn around $29,120 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,960.