How Much Do NFL Refs Make?

If a ref is assigned to a playoff game, their base salary is not bumped at all. They will still earn the flat rate of their salary they were earning in the regular season. However, refs can earn bonuses anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 per playoff game.

Making it to the big game is a different story. Referring a Super Bowl comes at a similar payrate as the normal playoff games, as refs will earn their flate rate annual salary. The big kicker though, refs can earn bonuses of $40-$50,000 for the Super Bowl. That is a huge spike and nearly a quarter of their annual salary.

Being an NFL ref is extremely demanding and requires year round practice. NFL referees however are not deemed full-time employees. They receive no benefits as being part of the NFL, but are enrolled in 401k plans.

Many referees will attend summer camps to hone in on their skills or to help mentor other referees. Like the NFL, the referees are a band of brothers who constantly life each other up. It is one of the oldest and truest fraternities in sports.