It takes calmness, confidence, and concentration for an NBA referee to make an accurate call during a high-pressure game in front of raucous spectators.
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A good ref can deal with stressful situations calmly and patiently. What they earn has been the talk of the town lately. This article provides information on estimated NBA referees’ salaries.
The league has a lot of money invested, so players are paid very well. Apart from players, the NBA pays its refs a substantial salary. Many of the league’s high-profile referees are well-known for the precision with which they render judgments and decisions. Let us find out how much refs earn.
NBA referees’ salaries in 2022
The average annual salary for an NBA referee in 2022 ranges from $180,000 to $500,000, depending on the league and experience. The salary of the officials has also been increased to keep pace with the overall increase.
It is not uncommon for the officials to earn up to $10,000 per game in just the first few playoff rounds. While Career Trend estimated that the average base salary for new refs in 2018 was $250,000, the lowest professional referee salaries for 2021 were estimated to be $180,000.
Here is a look at the top NBA refs’ salaries.
| Referee's name | Salary |
| James Capers | $550,000 |
| Sean Corbin | $550,000 |
| Tony Brothers | $550,000 |
| Rodney Mott | $550,000 |
| Scott Foster | $550,000 |
| Ken Mauer | $550,000 |
| Pat Fraher | $550,000 |
| Tom Washington | $550,000 |
| Marc Davis | $550,000 |
| Eric Lewis | $550,000 |
How much do the top NBA referees make per game?
According to reliable sources, the average NBA referee salary in 2022 is between $180,000 and $550,000. The refs are paid according to their level of experience.
Is the NBA referee salary for playoffs high?
While top officials earn about $7,000 for officiating a regular game, they earn $3,000 more for a playoff.
Who is the highest-paid NBA referee?
Who is the highest-paid NBA referee? The top ten referees’ annual earnings are pretty much tied at $550,000. Some of the top refs include James Capers, Sean Corbin, and Tony Brothers.
Who makes the NBA referee roster?
Officials are selected by the NBA Referee Operations management team based on their performance throughout the first three rounds of the season’s playoff matches.
