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College Referee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

i9 Sports

Youth Sports Coach and Referee

Chicago, IL · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Played varsity high school soccer or football or softball or T-ball.....or college level in any ... You'll lead practices, referee games, ensure fun, and be a role model while keeping safety first.

Foundation for California Community Colleges

$18 - $22/hr

Referee centers are state-contracted emissions test facilities that provide a wide array of ... College campuses. In addition to a wide array of services for consumers, Referee centers offer ...

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College Referee information

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How much do college referee jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for college referee in the United States is $20.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.02 and $22.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a college referee?

College referees are officials responsible for enforcing the rules and maintaining fair play during collegiate sports competitions. They make decisions on infractions, manage game flow, and ensure the safety of all participants. College referees often specialize in a particular sport, such as basketball, football, or soccer, and must be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations specific to that sport. Typically, they are certified by governing bodies and may work part-time or full-time depending on the sport and season.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a college referee?

To thrive as a College Referee, you need an in-depth understanding of game rules, strong decision-making abilities, and usually certification from a recognized officiating body. Familiarity with timing systems, video replay technology, and officiating software is often required. Outstanding communication, impartiality, and the ability to handle pressure make someone stand out in this role. These skills ensure fair play, effective game management, and uphold the integrity of collegiate sports competitions.

What are some common challenges faced by college referees during games, and how can they be managed?

College referees often encounter challenges such as managing high-pressure situations, handling disputes among players and coaches, and making split-second decisions that can influence the outcome of a game. Staying focused and composed, maintaining clear and consistent communication, and having a thorough understanding of the rules are key strategies for overcoming these challenges. Additionally, referees benefit from ongoing training and feedback, which help them improve their judgment and adapt to different game environments.

What is the difference between College Referee vs High School Referee?

AspectCollege RefereeHigh School Referee
Required CertificationsState or National officiating certification, sport-specific trainingState or local certification, sport-specific training
Work EnvironmentColleges, universities, sports complexesHigh school gyms, fields, local sports facilities
Employer & Industry UsageColleges and university athletic programsHigh schools and local school districts
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both College Referees and High School Referees require similar certifications and work in sports environments, but College Referees officiate at collegiate level games, often with higher stakes and more complex rules, while High School Referees work at the secondary school level. The roles overlap in certification requirements and industry usage, making them comparable career paths within sports officiating.

How do you become a college referee?

To become a college referee, you typically need to have experience officiating at lower levels, complete specific training and certification programs offered by the relevant athletic associations, and pass written and practical exams. Maintaining good physical fitness and understanding the rules of the sport are also essential for this role.

How hard is it to be a college referee?

Being a college referee requires physical fitness, knowledge of the sport's rules, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure. It often involves training, certification, and working irregular hours during games and tournaments. The job can be demanding but is manageable with proper preparation and experience.

What cities are hiring for College Referee jobs?

Cities with the most College Referee job openings:

What states have the most College Referee jobs?

States with the most job openings for College Referee jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to College Referee jobs?

For College Referee jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

College Referee jobs near you
Infographic showing various College Referee job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,539 per year, or $20.9 per hour.

Scouting Heroes College Basketball Data Scout - Spokane, WA - Scouting Heroes, A DraftKings Affiliat

Spokane, WA • On-site

AEG
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about AEGexternal

$25/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Attend college basketball games and collect live play-by-play data using the Data Collection Tool.

  • Work closely with the game-day support team to ensure data is recorded quickly and accurately.

  • Participate in training and apply knowledge of college basketball rules and referee signals during game data collection.

Job description

Scouting Heroes is seeking a College Basketball Data Scout with a passion for sports to join our team. In this role, you will attend college basketball games and collect live play-by-play data. This is an excellent opportunity for sports enthusiasts with a high attention to detail, strong communication skills and ability to work in a high-stakes environment.
What You'll Do as a Data Scout
  • Attend both men's and women's College Basketball games in your current region and surrounding areas of up to a 1-hour travel distance. Some instances of over 1-hour travel may occur.
  • Record and collect in-time real data on our Data Collection Tool and work closely with the game-day support team to ensure data is being recorded quickly and accurately.
  • This is a part-time, independent contractor role for the 2026-2027 College Basketball Season. Performance dictating, there is an opportunity for additional contracting roles with other sports

What You'll Bring
  • Reliability. We are looking for people who can commit to every game that is planned for coverage in their area. We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to "no-shows."
  • Driven Work Ethic. Must be one who communicates quickly, wants to learn, is ready to work, and enters data within the company expectations.
  • Communication. We are looking for people who are very comfortable on the phone, responsive via email, and any other company communication platforms. Communication is essential to this position.
  • Preparation. We take training seriously and achieve the determined deadlines so you can apply that knowledge into entering perfect data on game days. This is a fast paced, high intensity environment.
  • Honesty. Integrity is critical to the overall collection of sports data.
  • Basketball Knowledge. Must have interest in College Basketball. Knowing the rules and having the drive to shore up any gaps in rules knowledge will be needed.
  • Feedback. Work closely with our Scouting Operations teams to ask questions. We want you to succeed in training and we give you the tools to do so.
  • Have fun. We are a fast paced, small team that prides itself on continually improving. We are looking for people that thrive in fast-paced, competitive, and high stress situations.

Requirements
  • Must have availability during the 2026-2027 College Basketball season. This includes weekends, weekday evenings, and holidays. As an independent contractor, you can expect to be assigned approximately 5-15 games during the season; however, the actual number may vary depending on your location, team assignment, and overall coverage needs.
  • Must be located within 1-hour travel distance of the College Team that you are applying for
  • Strong knowledge of College Basketball (Tip : Make sure you come to the interview prepared with knowledge of referee hand signals)
  • Must have a smartphone in good working condition, along with access to a computer.
  • Strong comfort level with technology, specifically iPhones
  • Fluent English in speaking and writing
  • Reliable transportation

Interview Prep
  • This is a part-time, independent contractor role for the 2026-2027 College Basketball season. Performance dictating, there is the potential of additional contracts for other sports and/or seasons.
  • A cover letter will be required when applying. We are looking for a paragraph on why you think you'd be a fit for the role and also why you are interested in College Basketball. If you do not submit a cover letter than you will not be considered
  • If you are selected for an interview you will receive an email via TeamworkOnline inviting you to select a date and time for an interview (reminder to check your spam folder).
  • Interviews will be done using Google Meet or Zoom. You will be quizzed on college basketball rules and procedures (be sure to study up on your referee signals). You will also be asked some questions regarding the previous college basketball season.
  • Interviews will start in early August. Please check your spam folder, as interview invites have gone to spam in the past.

As an official affiliate of DraftKings, Scouting Heroes connects top talent with dynamic opportunities.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
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About AEG

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Louis, MO, US

Year founded

1992

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