Find out about the NHL referee salary, the highest paid, average, and full breakdown.
The NHL is one of the most lucrative franchises in the United States, and officials who are in charge of weekly games are not left out of the revenue.
Referees in the National Hockey League make a decent income on a per-match basis to their annual salary, which makes it to some extent.
Refs are one of the most important aspects of the NHL franchise, as their actions help maintain the reputation and competitiveness of the league.
They make sure hockey games follow the standards while adhering to the rules of the sport. That said, compensation for referees depends on many factors, such as the level of competition.
So without further talks, let us dive deeper into the amount refs make in the NHL currently.
NHL referees: The highest-paid and average salary breakdown
The NHL requires the high standard of refereeing of any official. NHL referees play a crucial role in managing them in various aspects, from tense to the very most important times.
They ensure that the laid-down rules of the league are enforced during games even as ice hockey games require a more aggressive level of play. Thus, it is important for refs to maintain a high level of professionalism, technicalities, and consistency.
In simple terms, NHL refs are paid an average salary that ranges from $165,000 to $360,000 per year, which is largely dependent on the level of consistency, expertise, and knowledge of the game.
That said, refs who are paid lower salaries are those in the entry-level of refereeing and are not yet considering being veterans. NHL refs who earn the highest salary are those that have spent a couple of years officiating games consistently.
But do NHL refs only rely on salaries? Well, the short answer is no. Refs enjoy other incentives aside from their regular job.
Aside from base salaries, they may receive bonuses, especially during the playoffs and at the Stanley Cup Finals.
Another benefit of being an NHL referee is a health insurance package that could be offered. There are also retirement plans as well as other aspects that would improve the well-being of referees.
Breakdown
Year 1 (around $220,602)
NHL refs within the year 1 category may earn around $220,602 annually.
Year 1+ to 16 years ($482,226)
Refs with more than a year in the profession would earn more annually, which could reach as high as $482,226.
The payment could come from preseason and the regular season games.
Levels of refereeing and how much they could earn
Top-tier NHL referees
You'll know that your level in any pyramid would most likely determine how much you would earn, right? That is the case for NHL referees.
The top-tier refs are paid the highest salaries in the NHL franchise as they command a wealth of experience, consistency, and reliability.
They are officials that are called upon in big games or considered most trustworthy in terms of experience in crucial moments.
The top-tier NHL refs earn salaries approximately $220,000 to $400,000. They are also paid other forms of bonuses, especially during NHL playoffs and Stanley Cup finals.
Simply, top-tier refs make the most money in the NHL franchise as a result of their wealth of experience in the game.
Mid-Level NHL Referees
Mid-level refs are another category of refs in the NHL. They might have been established already but may not be at the top level yet, especially due to their years in the league, number of games officiated, and other factors.
Despite their level, they also earn a decent income as part of the NHL refereeing system. The mid-level NHL referees earn an approximate salary from $150,000 to $220,000.
They play a crucial role during the regular season and make up a good part of the NHL refereeing team.
Rookie or Entry-Level NHL Referees
As the name implies, these are refs who are just starting their careers as officials in the league. They may not be the most experienced but have good knowledge in the game while following the standard practice.
Rookie NHL refs receive an annual salary in the region of $100,000 to $150,000.
Rookies are crucial to the league; as a result, they go through rigorous training and tests before their promotion to the role.
For starters, what are the factors that determine NHL ref salary?
There are different factors that determine the salary of NHL referees and how much they could make annually.
Experience: It is huge factor that determines how much a referee would earn throughout the season. Especially involves the number of years and games officiated.
NHL referee ranking: Refs who are ranked higher by the league would most likely earn more due to their involvement in high-profile games like the Stanley Cup final and other bonuses.
Playoffs: The playoffs are often officiated by highly ranked refs, thus creating an avenue to earn a significant amount of money.
What are the duties of an ice hockey ref?
Referees are in charge of supervising during live games to enforce and ensure that rules are being followed throughout the game.
They may interfere during tense moments. Although linesmen provide support, they are for critical areas such as offsides, fouls, and misconduct.
What are the NHL teams?
NHL franchises are divided into conferences and divisions.
Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Carolina Hurricanes
Columbus Blue Jackets
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Montreal Canadiens
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Ottawa Senators
Pittsburgh Penguins
Philadelphia Flyers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs
Washington Capitals
Western Conference
Anaheim Ducks
Calgary Flames
Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
Minnesota Wild
Nashville Predators
San Jose Sharks
Seattle Kraken
St. Louis Blues
Utah Hockey Club
Vancouver Canucks
Vegas Golden
Winnipeg Jets