The NBA referees are the highest paid professional match officials in the world. The season begins in October and finals are being played in June. NBA referees earn a good salary package, making more money than any other match officials.
Match Officials
|
Per Match
|
Playoffs &
Finals
|
Annual Earnings
|
NBA Professional Referee
|
$3,500
|
$5,000
|
$500,000
|
NBA Entry Level Referee
|
$600
|
$1,000
|
$250,000
|
Women's NBA Referee
|
$425
|
$800
|
$180,000
|
The average annual salaries of professional referees in the North-American top leagues:
NBA (basketball): $375,000
MLB (baseball): $235,000
NHL (hockey): $212,500
NFL (American football): $188,322
Source: TSM Sportz