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Professional Sports Referee Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

i9 Sports

Youth Soccer Instructor/Official

Oakton, VA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Professional Development * Competitive salary * Opportunity for advancement About i9 Sports i9 ... Serve as the primary on-field official/referee for youth soccer matches, ensuring fair play and ...

i9 Sports

Youth Soccer Instructor/Official

Oakton, VA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Serve as the primary on-field official/referee for youth soccer matches, ensuring fair play and ... Professional Growth: Excellent resume-builder for leadership, sports management, education, or ...

i9 Sports

Youth Soccer Instructor/Official

Oakton, VA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Serve as the primary on-field official/referee for youth soccer matches, ensuring fair play and ... Professional Growth: Excellent resume-builder for leadership, sports management, education, or ...

i9 Sports

Youth Basketball Instructor/Official

Oakton, VA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Opportunity for advancement About i9 Sports i9 Sports is the nation's first and largest provider of ... Maintain a professional, authoritative, and unbiased demeanor on the court. * Address rule ...

i9 Sports

Youth Basketball Instructor/Official

Oakton, VA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Opportunity for advancement About i9 Sports i9 Sports is the nation's first and largest provider of ... Maintain a professional, authoritative, and unbiased demeanor on the court. * Address rule ...

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All JobsProfessional Sports Referee JobsProfessional Sports Referee Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Professional Sports Referee information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$6

$21

$60

How much do professional sports referee jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional sports referee in Silver Spring, MD is $21.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.45 and $22.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a professional sports referee?

Professional sports referees are officials responsible for enforcing the rules and maintaining fair play during sporting events. They make decisions on infractions, monitor gameplay, and ensure the safety of the participants. Referees must have a thorough understanding of the sport’s rules, strong communication skills, and the ability to make quick, impartial judgments under pressure. Their presence is essential to uphold the integrity and flow of professional sports competitions.

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

To thrive as a Professional Sports Referee, you need a deep understanding of the sport's rules, strong observational skills, and often formal certification from a recognized officiating body. Familiarity with video review systems, timekeeping devices, and communication headsets is typically required. Excellent decision-making, impartiality, and clear communication allow referees to maintain control and fairness during high-pressure games. These skills are vital to ensure the integrity of the sport, player safety, and the smooth flow of competitions.

What are some of the biggest challenges a professional sports referee faces during games, and how can they be managed?

Professional Sports Referees often face intense pressure to make quick, accurate decisions in fast-paced and emotionally charged environments. Managing conflict with players, coaches, and fans requires excellent communication and impartiality. Staying physically fit, keeping up with evolving rules, and participating in regular training sessions help referees perform at their best. Building resilience and a strong support network among fellow officials is also key to handling the stress and scrutiny that come with the role.

What is the difference between Professional Sports Referee vs Umpire?

AspectProfessional Sports RefereeUmpire
CertificationsSports-specific referee certificationsUmpire certifications, often sport-specific
Work EnvironmentStadiums, arenas, sports fieldsField, court, or pitch during games
Industry UsageMajor sports leagues (football, basketball, soccer)Baseball, cricket, tennis, and other sports
Job RoleEnforce rules, make calls, ensure fair playMake calls related to plays, outs, or faults

While both Professional Sports Referees and Umpires enforce game rules and ensure fair play, referees typically oversee sports like football and basketball, whereas umpires are common in baseball, cricket, and tennis. Both roles require sport-specific certifications and are essential for maintaining the integrity of the game.

How do I become a professional sports referee?

To become a professional sports referee, you typically need to complete training and certification through a recognized sports governing body, gain experience officiating at lower levels, and demonstrate knowledge of the rules and good judgment. Many referees also pursue ongoing education and physical fitness requirements to advance to higher levels of competition.
Professional Sports Referee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Professional Sports Referee job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Part Time, and 20% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,044 per year, or $21.7 per hour.

Recreation Worker - Youth Sports Referee

The City of Falls Church Virginia

Falls Church, VA • On-site

$16.28/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Recreation Worker - Youth Sports Referee

The Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department operates Youth Sports programs to provide children with an opportunity to learn and focus on fundamentals in a fun, competitive, and safe environment. We are currently seeking Referees for Flag Football in the fall and basketball in the winter.
Job Summary:
Under the supervision and guidance of the Athletic Program Supervisor, the Youth Sports Referee is responsible for officiating games for the City of Falls Church Youth Flag Football and/or Youth Basketball program.

 General Responsibilities:

 Referees are expected to officiate youth games, keeping participants safe and games under control. This position also requires referees to act professionally and serve as a role model for the participants. Referees need to be able to communicate with adult coaches, ensure that games are running on time, and enforce the rules of the game.

 Qualifications:

  • Must be at least 14 years of age.
  • Must have familiarity with the rules of the sport and learn the modified rules implemented in our program(s).
  • Must be able to effectively communicate with coaches and players.
  • Must be able to remain calm and decisive in a competitive atmosphere.
  • Must have the ability to run and keep pace with the flow of the game.
  • Ensure the safety of all players during games.
  • Preference to candidates with current First Aid, CPR.

Hours: Vary based upon which sport incumbent is assigned to. Flag Football games run on Saturday afternoons in the fall from (approximately) 1:30pm to 6:30pm. Youth Basketball games run on evenings & weekends throughout the week.


To Apply:  Visit https://fallschurchva.exacthire.com/ to apply online. 

 Salary: $16.28 per hour, part-time seasonal position, no benefits. See www.fallschurchva.gov/hr for additional information.

Our commitment to an inclusive workplace: The City of Falls Church is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because that is what drives curiosity, innovation, and the success of our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the federal, state and/or local laws or regulations. Accommodations may be requested for applicants with disabilities.  To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at HRTeam@fallschurchva.gov or 703-248-5127.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

All City facilities are smoke free.

Employment Type: PART_TIME

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