It has finally been revealed how much Premier League referees get paid to officiate matches in the top flight in England. According to Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer, their annual earnings, inclusive of bonuses and match fees, range between £170,000 and £180,000, with top officials like Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver earning approximately £250,000. Base salaries vary from £72,000 to £148,000, depending on experience and seniority. When factoring in pension and national insurance contributions, the average total cost per referee to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) is around £240,000.
Referees can increase their income by officiating in UEFA and FIFA competitions. For instance, Champions League referees reportedly earn between £5,300 and £9,000 per game, while officiating at major tournaments like the World Cup can yield between £38,700 and £54,000, excluding match bonuses.
However, PGMOL has restricted officials from overseeing matches in Gulf states and other domestic leagues following a 2023 incident where referees officiated in the UAE shortly before a controversial VAR error in a Premier League match (we all know the one in question!). This move aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest, especially considering the ownership links of clubs like Manchester City and Newcastle United to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, respectively.
The pay might surprise fans, but when considering how much the Premier League footballers get paid it’s probably justified that the referees who receive endless abuse from players and fans are compensated well for the work they do.