NBA referees' salaries: how much do NBA referees take home?

NBA referees' salaries: how much do NBA referees take home?

Kevin Omuya, Jackline Wangare
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:58 PM

It takes calmness, confidence, and concentration for an NBA referee to make an accurate call during a high-pressure game in front of raucous spectators. A good ref can deal with stressful situations calmly and patiently. What they earn has been the talk of the town lately. This article provides information on estimated NBA referees' salaries.

NBA referee salary for playoffs
Some of the highest-paid NBA refs. Photo: getty.com, @Steven Ryan, @Jacob Kupferman, @Lachlan Cunningham (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The league has a lot of money invested, so players are paid very well. Apart from players, the NBA pays its refs a substantial salary. Many of the league's high-profile referees are well-known for the precision with which they render judgments and decisions. Let us find out how much refs earn.

NBA referees' salaries in 2022

The average annual salary for an NBA referee in 2022 ranges from $180,000 to $500,000, depending on the league and experience. The salary of the officials has also been increased to keep pace with the overall increase.

It is not uncommon for the officials to earn up to $10,000 per game in just the first few playoff rounds. While Career Trend estimated that the average base salary for new refs in 2018 was $250,000, the lowest professional referee salaries for 2021 were estimated to be $180,000.

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Here is a look at the best-paid refs in the NBA.

10. Eric Lewis - $550,000

highest-paid NBA referee
Referee Eric Lewis #42 officiates a preseason game between the New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on October 15, 2021, in New York City. Photo: Steven Ryan
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Eric Lewis
  • Birthday: May 20, 1971
  • Age: 51 years old (as of 2022)
  • College: Bethune Cookman College

Eric has officiated 936 regular-season and 46 posts so far. He spent three seasons in the NBA G League and two in the USBL before joining the NBA. He has eight years of college basketball officiating experience with the Ohio Valley and Atlantic Sun. The official makes an estimated $500,000 a year.

9. Marc Davis - $550,000

nba referee salary in 2022
In Oakland, California, Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors was called for a technical foul by referee Marc Davis at ORACLE Arena on May 14, 2017. Photo: Thearon W. Henderson
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Mark Anthony Davis
  • Birthday: 26 April 1973
  • Age: 49 years old (as of 2022)
  • College: U.S. Naval Academy

Marc has officiated 1,279 regular-season games and 132 playoff games, including 12 Finals. Marc also directed the 2014 All-Star Game in New Orleans. He has three years of CBA experience.

The Chicago Public League Association honoured Marc Davis with the Honorary Nate Humphries Award. The Chicago native earns around $550,000 annually.

8. Tom Washington - $550,000

nba referee salary for playoffs
Referee Tom Washington looks on during the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers at Spectrum Center on January 30, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: Jacob Kupferman
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Tom Washington
  • Birthday: 1957
  • Age: 65 years old (as of 2022)
  • College: Norfolk State University

The NBA has employed Tom to officiate 1,629 regular-season games, 172 post-season games, and four finals. He is best known for officiating the 2017 All-Star Game. Tom officiated the 1996 Japan games in Tokyo.

The pro referee has two years in the CBA and five years in Philadelphia. It is estimated that he earns an impressive $550,000 per year.

7. Pat Fraher - $550,000

highest-paid NBA referee
Referee Pat Fraher #26 officiates the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on February 08, 2022, in New York City. Photo: Steven Ryan
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Pat Fraher
  • Birthday: January 13, 1974
  • Age: 48 years old (as of 2022)
  • College: University of Minnesota

Pat was born in Minnesota in 1974 and has officiated 1,106 NBA games. He has also worked on 51 playoff games in 18 seasons. Before joining the league, Fraher spent four years in the Women's NBA and seven in the CBA.

He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and was a high school official. It is said that Pat earns a whopping $550,000 per year.

6. Ken Mauer - $550,000

highest-paid referee
Referee Ken Mauer officiates Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021, in New York City. Photo: Steven Ryan
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Ken Mauer Jr
  • Birthday: April 23, 1957
  • Age: 65 years old (as of 2022)
  • College: University of Minnesota

Ken has a long list of accomplishments, including nine years in the CBA, nine years in college, and twelve years in secondary school.

Aside from that, the All-Big Ten honoree has officiated 1,935 regular-season games and 218 postseason games, including 19 Finals games. The veteran official officiated Michael Jordan's first game back from retirement. Each season, it is estimated that he earns a salary of $550,000.

5. Scott Foster - $550,000

highest-paid nba referee
Referee Scott Foster #48 makes a call during the first half between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2021, in New York City. Photo: Sarah Stier
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Scott Foster
  • Birthday: 8 April 1967
  • Age: 55 years (as of 2022)
  • College: University of Maryland

Foster has handled 1,477 regular-season games and 187 playoff games, including 19 Finals matches. Additionally, he was a crew member that supervised the 1996 Europe tour in Spain and Germany.

The CBA has employed the veteran referee for two years. For the 2010 All-Star match, he had the most memorable part. Scott Foster's salary is estimated at $550,000 for each season he works.

4. Rodney Mott - $550,000

nfl referee salary
In Sacramento, California, referee Rodney Mott #71 officiates the Sacramento Kings and the Toronto Raptors game at Golden 1 Center on November 19, 2021. Photo: Lachlan Cunningham
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Rodney Mott
  • Birthday: September 3, 1957
  • Age: 65 years old (as of 2022)
  • College: San Diego State

Rodney has officiated 1,255 regular-season games and 35 playoff games. In 23 seasons, he has a respectable record. Sources peg Rodney Mott's salary at $550,000 annually.

3. Tony Brothers - $550,000

nba referee salary per game
Referee Tony Brothers #25 in action during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on January 31, 2020, in New York City. Photo: Mike Stobe
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Tony Brothers
  • Birthday: 14 September 1964
  • Age: 58 years old (as of 2022)
  • College: Old Dominion University

Tony was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on September 14, 1964. He has handled more than 1,466 regular season matches and more than 140 playoffs as a referee. This is the official's 27th season, and he has seen him officiate nine final games.

Tony served four years as a CBA official. He is an experienced official who makes an estimated $550,000 per year.

2. Sean Corbin - $550,000

nba referee salary for playoffs
Ref Sean Corbin officiates in Round of the 2021 Playoffs between the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on May 25, 2021, in New York City. Photo: Steven Ryan
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Sean Corbin
  • Birthday: March 18, 1966
  • Age: 51 years old (as of 2022)
  • College: Coppin State University

Sean Corbin was born on March 18, 1966, in Baltimore. At Coppin State University and Towson Catholic High School, he played basketball at the beginning of his career. Sean has officiated more than 1,300 regular-season games and 79 playoff matches.

He officiated the triple-overtime thriller on February 17, 1999, between the Boston Celtics and the Vancouver Grizzlies. It is estimated that Sean Corbin's salary as a professional official is $550,000.

1. James Capers - $550,000

highest-paid NBA referee
Referee James Capers looks on during the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Portland Trail Blazers at Spectrum Center on October 31, 2021, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: Jacob Kupferman
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: James Capers
  • Birthday: November 8, 1961
  • Age: 61 years (as of 2022)
  • College: Central Michigan

Capers was born in Chicago. He is a professional referee who has worked on several high-profile cases. He has officiated 1,357 games throughout 24 seasons. More than 135 playoff games, including 10 finals, have been overseen by him.

Capers presided over the upcoming all-Star game to top it all off. James has worked in the CBA for six years and has been a part of three championship games and two all-star games. James Capers' annual salary is thought to be around $550,000.

Summary

Here is a look at the top NBA refs' salaries.

Referee's name

Salary

James Capers

$550,000

Sean Corbin

$550,000

Tony Brothers

$550,000

Rodney Mott

$550,000

Scott Foster

$550,000

Ken Mauer

$550,000

Pat Fraher

$550,000

Tom Washington

$550,000

Marc Davis

$550,000

Eric Lewis

$550,000

How much do the top NBA referees make per game?

According to reliable sources, the average NBA referee salary in 2022 is between $180,000 and $550,000. The refs are paid according to their level of experience.

Is the NBA referee salary for playoffs high?

While top officials earn about $7,000 for officiating a regular game, they earn $3,000 more for a playoff.

Who is the highest-paid NBA referee?

Who is the highest-paid NBA referee? The top ten referees' annual earnings are pretty much tied at $550,000. Some of the top refs include James Capers, Sean Corbin, and Tony Brothers.

How much is the NFL referee salary?

The official salary for NFL referees has not been disclosed, but as of 2019, it was reported that NFL referees make an average of $205,000 per year.

How much is the NBA referee salary per game?

The figure varied depending on the ref's experience. It starts with $600 for rookies to about $7,000 for experienced refs.

How much is the NBA G League referee salary?

Entry-level referees' salaries begin at $600 per game, while seasoned or professional referees earn $3,500 per game.

Who makes the NBA referee roster?

Officials are selected by the NBA Referee Operations management team based on their performance throughout the first three rounds of the season's playoff matches.

How much is the female NBA referee salary?

highest-paid NBA referee
A person making a basketball shot. Photo: pixabay.com, @tortugadatacorp
Source: UGC

The average is about 180,000 annually, which is approximately $425 per game.

Who is the highest-paid referee?

The highest-paid match officials include Damir Skomina, Cüneyt Çakır, Dr. Felix Brych, and Clément Turpin. They are all tied at $10,000 per match.

NBA referees' salaries vary from one official to another, and often depends on one’s experience officiating basketball matches. The salaries begin at $600 per game for rookies to about $10,000 per playoff match for highly experienced officials.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.
Jackline Wangare photo
Jackline Wangare
Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Sports Brief covering sports and lifestyle topics. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University and as a Content Creator (Briefly.co.za, Legit.ng, Tuko.co.ke, Yen.com.gh).