Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials vs. Coaches and Scouts: Who Earns More?
Coaches and Scouts out-earn Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials by $7K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials land at $40,710 and Coaches and Scouts at $47,320. The education gap is real: umpires, referees, and other sports official programs typically require bachelor's degree, while coaches and scout programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials is New Jersey ($67,600); for Coaches and Scouts it's New Jersey ($76,700).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials or Coaches and Scouts?
Coaches and Scouts earn more nationally. The median is $40,710 for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials versus $47,320 for Coaches and Scouts, a difference of $7K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials or Coaches and Scouts?
Coaches and Scouts has the better 10-year outlook at 6.4% projected growth, compared to 5.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials or Coaches and Scouts?
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials typically requires bachelor's degree. Coaches and Scouts requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials get paid the most?
New Jersey is the top-paying state for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials at $67,600/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials vs. Coaches and Scouts pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New Jersey, Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials earn $67,600 vs. $76,700 for Coaches and Scouts. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.