NBA

How Much Do NBA Refs Make? Contract, Salary, & Highest-Paid Referees

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Published08 Oct 2024

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Sportscasting.com has gathered and analyzed data for NBA referees. Below are the contracts, salaries, and highest-paid referees. 

Key Highlights:

  • NBA referees can make upwards of $550,000 per year.
  • NBA first-year referees can make as little as $600.
  • Additional compensation can be earned for playoff games, with newer refs making $800 to $5,000 and veteran refs earning $9000 to $29,000.

In the NBA, the players are the highest-paid employees on a team, followed by the coaches. Referees are next in line as paid employees of the NBA.

In 2022, the National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA) announced a new collective bargaining agreement with the NBA. The seven-year deal began with the 2022-2023 season and runs through the 2028-2029 season.

While referees don’t make nearly as much as players and coaches, they still earn a substantial salary.

NBA Referee Contract & Salary Breakdown

The contracts and salaries of NBA officials are based on seniority and experience.

First-year officials can be paid as low as $600 per game. The more senior officials can make up to $7,000 per game.

NBA refs annual salaries typically range from $250,000 to $550,000.

Not every referee will do postseason games. However, NBA officials can expect their rate to go up if they officiate in the postseason.

Newer officials can make anywhere from $800 to $5,000 for each postseason game.

Veteran officials can make around $9,000 for first-round playoff games. If they ref games in the conference finals or finals, the per-game rate can increase to around $29,000.

These figures are solely based on the amount paid to ref a game. They do not include bonuses, travel, healthcare, insurance, and other benefits.

Who Are The Highest-Paid Refs In The NBA?

Unlike the players, the salaries of each NBA official are not public.

However, the following referees are believed to be the highest-paid officials in the NBA because of their experience and postseason assignments.

All of these referees are likely making over $550,000.

  • Tony Brothers
  • James Capers
  • Sean Corbin
  • Marc Davis
  • Scott Foster
  • Pat Fraher
  • Eric Lewis
  • Ken Mauer
  • Rodney Mott
  • Tom Washington