See a typical per-game pay range for officials by sport, level, region, and position. Built from public association rate sheets and youth-sports payroll data — useful for league admins setting budgets and officials evaluating offers.
Ranges reflect typical per-game pay observed across public association rate sheets, league postings, and youth-sports salary aggregators. Local rates vary; certified, multi-game, and tournament rates can run 20–60% higher. Use this as a starting reference, not a guaranteed offer.
National midpoint ranges before regional and position adjustments. These are the inputs the calculator uses.
| Sport | Rec | Youth Travel | Travel / Premier | High School | Adult |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball / Softball | $25–50 | $50–75 | $65–95 | $75–110 | $90–150 |
| Soccer | $20–35 | $35–60 | $55–90 | $70–110 | $80–130 |
| Basketball | $20–35 | $30–50 | $40–70 | $50–90 | $60–100 |
| Football | $40–65 | $55–90 | $75–120 | $90–150 | $100–180 |
| Lacrosse | $30–50 | $50–80 | $70–110 | $80–130 | $90–140 |
| Hockey | $25–50 | $40–70 | $60–95 | $70–110 | $85–140 |
Pay rate is half the equation. Speed of pay drives retention more than most assignors realize.
Officials who get paid within 24 hours of a confirmed check-in are dramatically more likely to accept open assignments the following week.
Every minute spent reconciling Venmo screenshots and chasing paper invoices is volunteer time you don't get back. Most leagues underestimate this by 10×.
The U.S. has lost an estimated 50,000+ youth officials in the last five years. The leagues that retain crews are the ones with reliable pay and respectful culture — not necessarily the ones that pay the most.
Umply ties payouts to confirmed check-ins via Stripe — so the league budget you just calculated actually reaches your officials without manual invoicing.
The official checks in at the field. The game completes. Stripe initiates the transfer. No paper, no chase.
Encode your league's rate card once. The right amount lands in the right account every game — including plate vs base differentials.
Officials see open slots and the pay rate up front. Higher fill rates without assignor manual chase work.
1099 reporting and full payment history for every official — no end-of-season scramble.
Rec-level games typically pay $25–$50, youth travel $50–$75, higher-level travel/premier $65–$95, and high school games $75–$110. Plate umpires earn 10–15% more than base. Northeast and West Coast rates trend higher.
Rec games run $20–$35, youth travel $35–$60, and higher-level travel $55–$90. USYS National League Conference Premier matches run $70–$126 per game depending on age group.
Surveys consistently point to two factors: spectator abuse and inconsistent pay. Both are addressable. Leagues that pay within 24–48 hours of check-in retain officials at meaningfully higher rates than leagues batching monthly.
Rec is recreational, typically 8–12U with single-official coverage. Travel involves longer drives and stronger competition. Premier and showcase events demand certified officials and pay 30–60% more than rec equivalents.
Umply ties Stripe payouts to confirmed check-ins. Set your rate card once and let the platform run it.