There are currently an estimated 21,100 sports referees in the United States. The sports referee job market is expected to grow by 7.6% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are sports referees?
CareerExplorer rates sports referees with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 9,100 sports referees. That number is based on 1,600 additional sports referees, and the retirement of 7,500 existing sports referees.
What’s the supply of sports referees?
The sports referee industry is concentrated in California, Colorado, New York
Sports Referee job market by state
| State Name | Employed Sports Referees |
|---|---|
| California | 2,200 |
| Colorado | 1,270 |
| New York | 1,220 |
| Texas | 1,030 |
| Illinois | 980 |
| Kansas | 810 |
| Missouri | 810 |
| Utah | 780 |
| Florida | 680 |
| Michigan | 650 |
| Virginia | 570 |
| Wisconsin | 540 |
| Tennessee | 500 |
| Ohio | 460 |
| Washington | 460 |
| Massachusetts | 410 |
| Arizona | 380 |
| Louisiana | 370 |
| North Carolina | 320 |
| New Jersey | 290 |
| Pennsylvania | 270 |
| Minnesota | 250 |
| Connecticut | 250 |
| Alaska | 220 |
| Iowa | 220 |
| Indiana | 220 |
| Oregon | 210 |
| Georgia | 200 |
| Idaho | 170 |
| North Dakota | 130 |
| Kentucky | 130 |
| Nebraska | 120 |
| Delaware | 100 |
| West Virginia | 100 |
| Montana | 90 |
| Alabama | 80 |
| Oklahoma | 60 |
| Vermont | 60 |
| New Mexico | 50 |
| South Dakota | 50 |
| Maine | 40 |
| Wyoming | 30 |