Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN make a median of $51,210 a year. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $49,435 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 52.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About umpires, referees, and other sports officials
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level umpires, referees, and other sports officials (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $83K or more - a $54K spread from bottom to top.
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $84K | +115% | 210 |
| Kentucky | $57K | +48% | 70 |
| South Carolina | $57K | +48% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $53K | +36% | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $53K | +35% | 40 |
| Louisiana | $52K | +35% | 260 |
| Maryland | $51K | +31% | 50 |
| Maine | $48K | +25% | 40 |
| New Jersey | $48K | +23% | 420 |
| Illinois | $47K | +21% | 820 |
| Arizona | $45K | +17% | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $45K | +15% | 280 |
| California | $45K | +15% | 2,830 |
| Virginia | $44K | +13% | 380 |
| Vermont | $44K | +13% | 100 |
Track umpires, referees, and other sports officials salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do umpires, referees, and other sports officials make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $51,210 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,120, and experienced umpires, referees, and other sports officials can clear $82,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,388/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 52.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a umpires, referees, and other sports officials salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median umpires, referees, and other sports officials salary is worth about $49,435 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do umpires, referees, and other sports officials get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.