According to PGMOL chief Howard Webb, who recently revealed the figure.

This includes match fees, pension contributions, N.I. payments and performance -related bonuses, and in the case of top flight officials, UEFA and FIFA duties.
So for the average ref, it's probably less.

Championship £120,000 approx.
Leagues 1and 2 £30,000. ,,
(SkySports/Mail/Talksport)

Jason Cundy on Talksport..."That's not a lot by the way.
That's nothing. I think they're underpaid."

For the sheer hell they have to endure in the modern tech age of football with media “micro breakdown” of every decision it’s almost impossible for them . Ally that to the ludicrous social media hysteria which seems to accompany most games , I’d happily see them paid double .

Completely agree. Whilst they drive me mad, I wouldn’t want to do a very difficult job so have no issue with what they’re paid.

No, I wouldn't do it either.

I don't begrudge them a penny. Horrible job that I certainly wouldn't want to do.

AlargeClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:50 am

For the sheer hell they have to endure in the modern tech age of football with media “micro breakdown” of every decision it’s almost impossible for them . Ally that to the ludicrous social media hysteria which seems to accompany most games , I’d happily see them paid double .

I disagree with this for a couple of reasons.

Firstly I think there is a base line of competence that should be expected from officials. If they are the right side of it then they fair enough they deserve their wage.

Micro break downs of decisions do not make it impossible for a ref to do his job though. They bring much more scrutiny but that shouldn't impact how a ref controls a game and implements decisions/rules.

To be honest given the embarrassing level of officiating we've seen this season most people would be happy with someone who gets the basics right. It's hard to make the case that certain refs we've had this season deserve big bucks for what they've offered imo.

Aren't league 1 & 2 officials only part time? £30k on top of your full time job isn't bad at all and they don't have the scrutiny top officials do.
Paid very well for a very good job but don't justify the amount sometimes with poor decisions and not understand the game enough or using common sense

I wouldn't pay some of the Championship refs we've had this season with brass
washers, never mind £120k.

Compared to other job's for what they have to endure I agree they are underpaid

in this word getting paid a normal job and earning £120k doesnt change your life dramatically

30k in the lower leagues is poor

bumba wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 27, 2025 11:40 am

Aren't league 1 & 2 officials only part time? £30k on top of your full time job isn't bad at all and they don't have the scrutiny top officials do.
Paid very well for a very good job but don't justify the amount sometimes with poor decisions and not understand the game enough or using common sense

Don’t think they are even part time, I thought they were still on a match by match payment plus expenses.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:11 pm

Don’t think they are even part time, I thought they were still on a match by match payment plus expenses.

That's an excellent wage then to be involved in football and to spend a lot of time visiting many football grounds and places around the country

bumba wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:15 pm

That's an excellent wage then to be involved in football and to spend a lot of time visiting many football grounds and places around the country

With all the abuse thrown in of course and that abuse spreads down all the way to grassroots football.

I’ve never seen a salary include employers NI and pension contributions in the headline figure. It’s one way of massively inflating it I suppose.

in my opinion any abuse for just doing your job is not right. But singing ''your not fit to referee '' isnt that bad. I do know that there have been incidents where actual physical contact has happened. But there are some jobs paying £30 to £45k that I would not want to do where I think that the likely hood of abuse, filmed wind ups, accusations of abuse or worse would be Teachers , Police, Ambulance, Fire ,Hospital staff,where your every action could result in being sacked.( There are possibly a lot more that, but they are ones I could in my 20s to 40s have done.)
As a against £30K to £170k for twice a week for 2hrs each time that you may be abused verbally that is not good but would not bother me when I got home and countered the income. I believe that if they are full time they have additional hours of watching past games and planning for next games etc that may be 20 to 30 hrs on top of travel and the games them selves its still pretty good pay. Part time may not do as many reviews etc
In Lancashire average income pay is £37k, with £70k being considered to be very good pay.

Even those with shavie 'eyds?

Bring in Performance Pay according to Up The Clarets Rate The Ref

If only nurses etc got paid that amount

Perhaps that idiot from our ladt match will have to give his pay back.

Call it a reward for the dickhead behaviour they will have endured from idiotic parents at grassroot level while learning the job

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 3:10 pm

Call it a reward for the dickhead behaviour they will have endured from idiotic parents at grassroot level while learning the job

That's a good point there. To get to that level (even league 1 and 2 level, never mind above that) a ref will have started young and extremely low down on parks etc with pub teams and juniors and possibly no liners to help. They'll have put up with some right crap and had the resilience to simply shrug it off and carry on and keep climbing the pyramid. Consequently I don't begrudge them what they reportedly earn, despite some we've had at The Turf being absolute stinkers. I guess maybe it's a case of the ones who don't give up early on when the going gets really crap go on to reach the higher echelons and they aren't necessarily always actually the best referees. Just the ones with an elephants skin!!!

It's mad how in this world we live, your wage can be determined not by how intelligent/skilled you are or how hard you work, but the employer you work for and/or the industry they operate in.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 3:28 pm

It's mad how in this world we live, your wage can be determined not by how intelligent/skilled you are or how hard you work, but the employer you work for and/or the industry they operate in.

Well it's a multi zillion pound industry and without them it couldn't operate and would grind instantly to a halt.

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 3:30 pm

Well it's a multi zillion pound industry and without them it couldn't operate and would grind instantly to a halt.

My point exactly. You could be a cleaner or care worker here on minimum wage, same job in Dubai could net you north of 70k tax free.
An non-skilled operator in a factory for a small business could be on minimum wage and only statutory sick pay, same job for a stock market global business 45-50k with great pension and possible share save scheme.

I don’t disagree with the overall sentiment, but most cleaners or care workers in Dubai will be on less than 10% of £70k (probably a lot less than that), and without any employment rights either.

Row x wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 27, 2025 3:48 pm

If only nurses etc got paid that amount

They could if they learnt to ref and got good at it.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 4:03 pm

My point exactly. You could be a cleaner or care worker here on minimum wage, same job in Dubai could net you north of 70k tax free.
An non-skilled operator in a factory for a small business could be on minimum wage and only statutory sick pay, same job for a stock market global business 45-50k with great pension and possible share save scheme.

This is possibly the least informed post I have ever seen on here. A cleaner on 70k? Stock market global companies don't pay unskilled operators 50k, that's if stock market global companies have unskilled workers.
There is no game without referees. Players earn in one week what most referees earn in a year. The refs deserve every penny. They have risen to the very top of their profession, in a job that any right minded person would run a mile from.

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 27, 2025 10:54 am

Completely agree. Whilst they drive me mad, I wouldn’t want to do a very difficult job so have no issue with what they’re paid.

i would love to do that job.

Championship £120,000 approx.


Stealing a wage, on that figure they should be great

bfccrazy wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 9:04 pm

They could if they learnt to ref and got good at it.

As replies go, that's probably the most pointless

Goalkeeper wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 9:52 pm

This is possibly the least informed post I have ever seen on here. A cleaner on 70k? Stock market global companies don't pay unskilled operators 50k, that's if stock market global companies have unskilled workers.
There is no game without referees. Players earn in one week what most referees earn in a year. The refs deserve every penny. They have risen to the very top of their profession, in a job that any right minded person would run a mile from.

That might be so, but if they were as crap as they are in any other profession, they'd be sacked

Row x wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 10:13 pm

As replies go, that's probably the most pointless

A cardiologist gets paid more than a prem ref does. ....

Nurses get paid more than low level refs do.......

What's your point?

If you get to the elite level of your profession..... You end up getting paid more

bfccrazy wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 10:19 pm

A cardiologist gets paid more than a prem ref does. ....

Nurses get paid more than low level refs do.......

What's your point?

If you get to the elite level of your profession..... You end up getting paid more

So those refs are elite?
God help us.
Can you imagine a cardiologist making as many mistakes as they do, weird comparison

Row x wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 10:21 pm

So those refs are elite?
God help us.

Whether we agree or not with it..... They are considered elite in that profession. Nothings stopping anyone to choose that path as a career just as nothings stopping anyone choosing a different path which pays loads or naff all.

It's a weird mentality that because someone gets paid x amount then others should get paid x amount too.

bfccrazy wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 10:24 pm

Whether we agree or not with it..... They are considered elite in that profession. Nothings stopping anyone to choose that path as a career just as nothings stopping anyone choosing a different path which pays loads or naff all.

It's a weird mentality that because someone gets paid x amount then others should get paid x amount too.

Simple question
Do referees deserve to be paid more than...
Teachers, nurses, paramedics, doctors, police officers, fire brigade, MPs, prime ministers, army personnel etc....do I need to go on?

Row x wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 10:21 pm

So those refs are elite?
God help us.
Can you imagine a cardiologist making as many mistakes as they do, weird comparison

I can imagine many cardiologists making many mistakes but they propbably haven't got tens of thousands of people watching them operate and millons more on the telly, video replays of their every move and being continuously screamed at and facing 22 players cheating many of whom are behind you.

It beggars belief why they can’t make honest decisions when they are paid so much

Row x wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 10:35 pm

Simple question
Do referees deserve to be paid more than...
Teachers, nurses, paramedics, doctors, police officers, fire brigade, MPs, prime ministers, army personnel etc....do I need to go on?

Yes if that's the going rate in that profession.

I work in a profession that pays more than other professions. I chose to go into that profession.... Partly because it pays more and the benefits it offers me/my family are great.

Should MPs, nurses and teachers automatically earn more because they chose their respective career paths?

You’d think with the increase in wages the standard would be better. Some of the refs we’ve had this season would make Kevin Lynch look competent.

Row x wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 10:35 pm

Simple question
Do referees deserve to be paid more than...
Teachers, nurses, paramedics, doctors, police officers, fire brigade, MPs, prime ministers, army personnel etc....do I need to go on?

Market forces, innit.

boatshed bill wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 10:00 pm

i would love to do that job.

You’re too old

In the world of football this actually seems pretty low.

MT03ALG wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 27, 2025 3:26 pm

Bring in Performance Pay according to Up The Clarets Rate The Ref

This has been added as an agenda item for our next RtR forum.

Goalkeeper wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 28, 2025 9:52 pm

This is possibly the least informed post I have ever seen on here. A cleaner on 70k? Stock market global companies don't pay unskilled operators 50k, that's if stock market global companies have unskilled workers.
There is no game without referees. Players earn in one week what most referees earn in a year. The refs deserve every penny. They have risen to the very top of their profession, in a job that any right minded person would run a mile from.

Has it ever occurred to you that I know people doing work as I've described in my two examples quoted?
Take Johnson Matthey, a global business listed on the stock market, no qualifications required to get an operators job there, lowest paid on £45k, some are paid £50k plus who have moved up in grade.
DYOR and post your apology when you're ready.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 31, 2025 2:34 pm

Has it ever occurred to you that I know people doing work as I've described in my two examples quoted?
Take Johnson Matthey, a global business listed on the stock market, no qualifications required to get an operators job there, lowest paid on £45k, some are paid £50k plus who have moved up in grade.
DYOR and post your apology when you're ready.

Why aren't local people queing for non skilled jobs at 45k p.a.? You may know someone who works there, but non skilled? However, if you post a link confirming said roles I will immediately humbly apologise.

Goalkeeper wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 31, 2025 4:35 pm

Why aren't local people queing for non skilled jobs at 45k p.a.? You may know someone who works there, but non skilled? However, if you post a link confirming said roles I will immediately humbly apologise.

You clearly have no grasp of the number of places that employ non-skilled people on decent wages, otherwise you wouldn't be so amazed that they exist.
That such vacancies are rarely advertised is often because the people who already work there, tend to get their friends and family in whenever an opening occurs. Also in many places, you may have to start as a temp/agency and after quite some time, find yourself lucky enough to be kept on if business expands or someone leaves/retires. Right place, right time.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 31, 2025 6:02 pm

You clearly have no grasp of the number of places that employ non-skilled people on decent wages, otherwise you wouldn't be so amazed that they exist.
That such vacancies are rarely advertised is often because the people who already work there, tend to get their friends and family in whenever an opening occurs. Also in many places, you may have to start as a temp/agency and after quite some time, find yourself lucky enough to be kept on if business expands or someone leaves/retires. Right place, right time.

I would be amazed if any firm in Burnley pays £15 an hour for non skilled labour. Thats 28k per annum. The vast majority of companies pay minimum wage, or at best a couple of quid an hour more. And believe me, I have an excellent grasp of what people in the UK earn at all levels and by qualification, in small entities and multi nationals.

Burnleyareback2 wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 29, 2025 6:10 am

In the world of football this actually seems pretty low.

In the world of football it is - doubt there would be many league 2 players on less
And that's one of the numerous reasons why very few ex footballers want to take it up
As for them being paid more than nurses etc how many nurses would it need to match the salary of one of our top Prem players
They get paid the going rate for the job
If you want a piece of this then start the training and abuse required

jojomk1 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 31, 2025 7:17 pm

In the world of football it is - doubt there would be many league 2 players on less

I believe the vast majority of league 2 players would on less and significantly so in many cases.

Goalkeeper wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 31, 2025 6:57 pm

I would be amazed if any firm in Burnley pays £15 an hour for non skilled labour. Thats 28k per annum. The vast majority of companies pay minimum wage, or at best a couple of quid an hour more. And believe me, I have an excellent grasp of what people in the UK earn at all levels and by qualification, in small entities and multi nationals.

Oh, so now you have realised your 'least informed' comment is looking a little daft, you're now trying to narrow it to 'in Burnley'. LOL, think I'll leave it there.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 31, 2025 8:20 pm

Oh, so now you have realised your 'least informed' comment is looking a little daft, you're now trying to narrow it to 'in Burnley'. LOL, think I'll leave it there.

Where is the link showing the 45k jobs for non skilled operators?
You avoided the question and rambled on about people getting well paid jobs because a relative or friend worked at one of these non existant companies.
My least informed comment stands until you produce evidence that non skilled labour can earn 45k per annum.
When you do, I will apologise. Also, can you attach an application form for said non skilled labour, as I would be really interested, as the lowest paid employees the world over are non skilled.