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Professional Referee Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Oakgov

FOC Case Specialist

Pontiac, MI · Hybrid

Work in a collaborative environment alongside Referees, court staff, and legal professionals. Build expertise in court operations, legal procedures, and case management. Enjoy a dynamic role that ...

RCX Sports

NFL FLAG Official

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$12.50 - $15.50/hr

Maintain neutrality and professionalism, including de-escalating disputes when needed * Conduct pre ... Knowledgeable of the rules and referee signals. We will help teach the rules and mechanics.

RCX Sports

NFL FLAG Official

Brighton, MI · On-site

Maintain neutrality and professionalism, including de-escalating disputes when needed * Conduct pre ... Knowledgeable of the rules and referee signals. We will help teach the rules and mechanics.

City of Holland, MI

Youth Soccer Official

Holland, MI · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

Maintain a professional image. 6. Perform other duties as assigned. Typical Qualifications 1. Must have experience in athletics. 2. Ability to pass a background check. 3. Physical ability to ...

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All JobsProfessional Referee JobsProfessional Referee Jobs in Michigan

Professional Referee information

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$51

How much do professional referee jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional referee in Michigan is $18.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.48 and $19.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the main challenges a Professional Referee faces during high-stakes matches?

Professional Referees often encounter high-pressure situations, especially during crucial moments in competitive matches. Managing intense emotions from players, coaches, and fans while maintaining impartiality can be demanding. Additionally, referees must make quick, accurate decisions in real time, sometimes with limited visibility, and handle instant feedback or criticism. Strong communication skills and mental resilience are essential to effectively manage these challenges and ensure fair play.

How much does a D1 ref get paid?

A Division 1 referee typically earns between $2,000 and $4,000 per game, depending on the league and level of competition. They often officiate multiple games per season and may need certification and experience to qualify for higher-paying assignments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Professional Referee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professional Referee, you need in-depth knowledge of the applicable sport's rules, strong decision-making skills, and relevant certifications from governing bodies. Familiarity with officiating technologies like instant replay systems and wearable communication devices is often required. Outstanding focus, impartiality, and effective communication help referees manage high-pressure situations and maintain authority on the field. These abilities are crucial to ensure fair play, player safety, and the integrity of the competition.

What is the difference between Professional Referee vs Sports Official?

AspectProfessional RefereeSports Official
CredentialsCertifications in officiating sports, training in rules and regulationsCertifications vary by sport, includes rules knowledge and sometimes specialized training
Work EnvironmentStadiums, sports fields, arenas during gamesStadiums, gyms, sports complexes during events
Employer & IndustrySports leagues, associations, governing bodiesSports organizations, leagues, local clubs
Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Both Professional Referees and Sports Officials are responsible for enforcing rules during sporting events. While their roles are similar, referees often have more responsibilities, such as making critical decisions and managing game flow. Both roles require specialized certifications and are employed by sports organizations. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the sports officiating industry.

What is the highest paying referee job?

The highest paying referee jobs are often in professional sports leagues, such as the National Football League (NFL), NBA, or Major League Baseball (MLB), where referees can earn six-figure salaries. These roles typically require extensive experience, certification, and the ability to work in high-pressure environments, with some officials earning over $100,000 annually depending on the league and level of competition.

What are Professional Referees?

Professional referees are officials who oversee and enforce the rules in sports competitions at a professional level. Their responsibilities include making impartial decisions, ensuring fair play, and maintaining the integrity of the game. Professional referees often undergo rigorous training, certification, and regularly participate in continuing education to stay updated on rule changes. They may work in various sports such as soccer, basketball, football, or hockey and are often employed by sports leagues or associations.

How much money do pro refs make?

Professional referees' earnings vary depending on the sport, level of competition, and experience. For example, top-tier referees in major leagues can earn from several thousand to over fifty thousand dollars per season, often supplemented by game fees, stipends, or per-match payments. Many referees also need certifications and must stay current with training requirements.

How can I become a professional referee?

To become a professional referee, you typically need to complete specific training and certification programs offered by sports governing bodies, gain experience officiating at lower levels, and demonstrate strong knowledge of the rules and good decision-making skills. Some leagues or organizations may require background checks and physical fitness assessments. Progression often involves advancing through different levels of officiating before reaching professional status.
What are the most commonly searched types of Referee jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Referee jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Professional Referee jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Professional Referee job openings:
Professional Referee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Professional Referee job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,948 per year, or $18.2 per hour.

League Referee

Grand Rapids Sport & Social Club

Grand Rapids, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Sport & Social Group is looking for a new teammate! Although you won't find anyone wearing a suit, we take our business seriously. Join an active, hardworking, and dedicated team in the sports industry.
Sport & Social Group provides sports leagues for adults. The organization has grown to over 130,000 members playing in a huge variety of sports year-round and has a vision for growth of 1 million members playing in multi-markets by 2026. Currently, we operate in two U.S. cities and eight Canadian cities.
Grand Rapids Sport & Social Club is perfect for the Grand Rapids 18 and up, professionals. We offer a unique opportunity to meet other physically and socially active individuals. Ideal for people who may have recently moved to the Grand Rapids area or just looking for a reason to get out of the house on a weekday! From Dodgeball, Kickball, to Flag Football, everything we do is coed.
Candidates must be a great fit with the Sport & Social Group Core Values:
  • Chase the Vision
  • Deliver What You Promise
  • Take Pride in What You Do
  • Get Shit Done
  • Treat Everyone Like Your Best Friend
  • Find a Better Way

How We Do It
Co-ed teams play fun, non-competitive games of coed sports. After each game we all meet at our partnered bar for our club's social happy hour(s), where we'll receive substantial drink and food discounts!
GRSSC is for people who like sports, but LOVE to socialize! GRSSC keeps you active, introduces you to tons of new friends, and gets you out of the house on week nights. Grand Rapids Sport & Social Club is where Grand Rapids comes to play!
Job Description
  • Supervise and manage adult sports league at night
  • Building our brand through the use of Social Media
  • Taking photographs and video during events and leagues
  • Setting up and helping to maintain equipment, fields and playing surfaces
  • Creating a social experience and environment for league members
  • Ensure safe and responsible play during competition
  • Assist in managing league sign-ups and teams
  • Attend league social events
  • Assisting in managing day to day operations in the office
  • Establishing a relationship with vendors, facilities, and the community to support our growing brand
  • Develop new paths and opportunities for sponsor

Qualifications
  • Personality - Extremely Outgoing & Energetic (your personality is the client's first impression of us!)
  • A Details Freak - Taking care of the little details first makes putting on a big show easy!
  • No Fear - Be confident and motivated to call on and/or meet/work/deal with facility owners, company owners, media, and of course the Godfather of GRSSC.
  • "New Age" Mentality - We're not looking for mediocre and old-school here. We want someone who has fresh ideas, can work on their own without being micromanaged, and is good at developing and maintaining relationships.
  • Perfectly Seasoned - We are looking for someone who has a past experience with planning events on every level. Someone who is able to clearly represent the GRSSC to prospective businesses, while adopting our social and humorous yet professional attitude.
  • Well Spoken & Written - It goes without saying, but we'll say it anyway. You'll need to have strong self-monitoring skills, articulate, and able to clearly draft emails without typos and grammatical errors.
  • Software Knowledge - You'll need to know you way around a PC, especially, but not limited to: Microsoft Word and Excel, knowledge in Virtual DJ Pro, Corel Draw Suite x6, and basic web development (html) is a plus but we will train to help further develop!
  • Thick Skin - Ok, so we may become direct at moments and therefore we need someone who won't take it personally, but rather understand that we work in a fast-paced environment which sometimes need quick and direct communication. Also, we need someone who can take direction well. We know exactly what we want and how we want it done and we always want to work on how we can do things better. Some may call it constructive criticism, but we call it perfectionificaiton. (yeah, not really a word)
  • Wheels - You need your own transportation where you can, if needed, haul a few bins of equipment for sport leagues. Clown cars and vans with no windows are sketchy, but equally acceptable (we don't discriminate).

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience in facility management, recreation, sports management, hospitality/tourism management, or other related experience.
  • Ability to use or, learn to use, various computer software programs.
  • Detail oriented
  • Ability to work as part of, and lead a team that collaborates effectively with colleagues.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Knowledge of standard practices and demonstrated experiences in event management, hospitality & tourism and/or special events administration.
  • Entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm; strong communication and presentation skills.
  • Analytics skills to: identify problems, assess alternatives, and render consistent, logical decisions.
  • Ability to thrive in an environment that values high expectations, accountability, and balanced life choices.
  • Extremely outgoing & energetic.
  • Be willing and reliable to work variable hours including nights during leagues.
  • Be 18+ years of age or older by start date.

Additional Information
EXPECTED HOURS
  • The majority of shifts range between 5:00pm-11:00pm Monday to Friday. In addition, there are some weekend opportunities.
  • Expected hours will be 10-15 hours per week.

COMPENSATION
  • All of our Social Squad members will earn $10/hour
  • One complimentary free league play for each season you work with us!

PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY BY VISITING: https://sportandsocialclub.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=49

Apply