Annual Mean and Median Wages

• Umpires and other sports officials earned an annual mean salary of $28,900, as of May 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Officials earned a national median wage of $22,840 with the lower 10 percent earning $16,310 per year. Umpires in the lower 25 percent earned $18,180 annually. Wages for officials in the upper 75 and 90 percentiles surpassed the national median wage by $11,260 and $27,510, respectively. Sports officials in the upper 75 percentile earned $34,100. The upper 90 percentile earned $50,350 per year. Mean wages vary by location and industry. Salaries also vary by payment mode. Some umpires receive pay by the game, while others receive an annual salary.
  
  

Common Employment Industries

• The BLS reports that the highest number of officials worked for local governments, earning an annual mean wage of $27,420. Other amusement and recreation industries paid an annual mean wage of $23,640. Umpires employed by spectator sport organizations earned $27,050 per year. Officials overseeing sports--including varsity sports--in elementary and secondary schools earned an annual mean wage of $36,320. Civic and social organizations paid an annual mean wage of $26,260. Sports officials employed by other schools and instruction industries earned $30,830.
  
  

Common States of Employment

• According to the BLS, California, Wisconsin, Kansas, Colorado and Missouri employed the highest number of sports officials, in that order. An official employed in California earned an annual mean wage of $26,700. Wisconsin-employed officials earned $28,060 per year. Sports officials in Kansas earned an annual mean wage of $24,840, while Colorado officials earned $28,530. Missouri paid officials an annual mean wage of $28,890.
  
  

Top Earning States

• Varsity umpires in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New York and Oklahoma earned above average wages in 2010, based on BLS wage estimates. Sports officials in Michigan earned the highest salary of the five states, grossing an annual amount of $59,470. Pennsylvania paid officials an annual mean wage of $43,510. Officials employed in Vermont earned $42,100. New York officials earned an annual mean wage of $41,900 followed by officials in Oklahoma who earned $41,770 per year.