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7 of the Best Types of Referee Jobs in 2026
Discover some great types of Referee jobs that are hiring now.
To become a referee, you typically need a high school diploma or GED certificate and training through a sport-specific referee program. This specialized training teaches you the rules of the game, the techniques to get you in the right position to make calls, and the proper signals to make when assessing penalty infractions. Experience playing the sport you officiate is not necessary but may be helpful. You may also need to improve your skills by refereeing at lower levels of competition and working your way up. Some employers, such as academic institutions, require candidates to obtain state registration, which may involve passing a written exam and field test. Additional qualifications include strong communication and decision-making skills, as well as excellent vision and physical stamina.
If you are interested in a Refereejob, here are some kinds of positions to explore for this type of work with open positions on ZipRecruiter.
High Paying Referee Jobs
Junior Referee
Salary range: $34,000 - $69,000
Junior Referee is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Junior Referee jobs pay between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $69,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Referee job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Summer Referee
Salary range: $25,000 - $46,000
As a summer referee, you work in the summer months, typically from June to August, to officiate at sports games. While these are seasonal positions, your responsibilities are no different than at any other time of year. Depending on the sport, your duties may include judging athletes' performance, imposing score penalties, awarding points, signaling to officials and participants about gameplay, inspecting sporting equipment, verifying proper uniforms for athletes, and tracking event times. As a referee, you may work with multiple sports and must be familiar with all rules and regulations. You report to a regulating organization and document complaints, injuries, and other notable activities that happen during a game.
Entry Level Referee
Salary range: $25,000 - $46,000
Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.
3Rd Shift Referee
Salary range: $25,000 - $46,000
The 3rd Shift is a work shift that covers overnight hours, roughly 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., for businesses that are open or require staff 24 hours a day. There are tradeoffs for people who work these hours. Those who work this shift find that they work when others sleep, and vice versa. While this can be hard, perks can include a lack of traffic en route to work and pay incentives. Some people also work the 3rd shift to be able to hold a second job or to be available to care for their children during the day.
Freelance Referee
Salary range: $25,000 - $46,000
Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.
Referee Coordinator
Salary range: $25,000 - $43,500
Coordinators plan and schedule events, programs, or projects. In this position, you can work in a variety of industries, so your duties and the necessary qualifications vary by field. There are project coordinators who work in the construction, manufacturing, and development industries, program coordinators, who typically work in education, community outreach, or non-profit organizations, and numerous other positions that require significant coordination experience. For those who work in labor industries, coordination might include developing timetables and budgets for the ordering and delivery of materials or services, while at a school, an instructional coordinator might prepare an afterschool program curriculum.
Per Diem Referee
Salary range: $25,000 - $43,500
Per diem jobs are short-term positions which are paid by the day. The most common per diem job opportunities are in the medical field, including positions in nursing, hospice, pediatrics, and midwifery. Phlebotomists, operating (OR) assistants, and pharmacists may also work on a per diem basis. Per diem employees are often contracted to work as admissions coordinators, recreation coordinators, and assistants.