NBA referees face as difficult a task as any officials in a major sport.
Each blow of the whistle can change the momentum, and ultimately, the outcome of a game.
Considering the number of games, calls they need to make, and the scrutiny around them, NBA refs deserve to earn some of the highest salaries among any sports officials.
NBA referee salaries aren’t typically made public, but some figures have been uncovered. Based on experience and performance, NBA referees can earn as much as $550,000 depending on experience and skill level. NBA referees just breaking into the league start much lower, reportedly around $150,000–$250,000. Most referees don’t work full-time for the league right away, also working in college, the WNBA, or other leagues as they prove themselves.
As they gain more experience, officiating big games and in the playoffs, they earn the opportunity to move closer to the high end of the pay scale.
Here are the average salary figures and bonus estimates for NBA refs:
Salary: $150,000-$550,000
Average pay per game: $2,000-$7,333 (depending on seniority)
Despite advances in technology, the NBA still relies heavily on its referees to determine fouls or other close calls in the moment.
Each game a referee officiates is reviewed and thoroughly evaluated by both the referees themselves and their supervisors in the league. Referees who perform at a high level throughout the season are selected to officiate the playoffs and the NBA Finals. Both honors come with hefty bonuses.
On average, NBA referees officiate three to four games per week or between 70 and 80 games a season, often traveling up to 25 days per month. The NBA selects its officiating assignments based on performance, rotation, and anonymous surveys taken by teams and players.
Here are the most experienced NBA referees, including playoff games and the NBA Finals:
| Referee | Years of experience | Playoff games officiated | NBA Finals games officiated |
| Scott Foster | 30 | 255 | 25 |
| Marc Davis | 27 | 204 | 21 |
| Tony Brothers | 30 | 201 | 17 |
| James Capers | 29 | 189 | 17 |
| Tom Washington | 33 | 181 | 4 |
*All totals are accurate as of the start of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
NBA Refs FAQs
- Who is the highest-paid NBA referee?
- Based on experience and the number of playoff games and NBA Finals games officiated, Scott Foster is likely the highest-paid NBA referee.
- Do NBA refs get paid per game?
- Yes, NBA refs get paid per game that they officiate. Depending on experience, they can make around $2,000 to $7,333 per game.
This data was compiled from the NBA, Sports Illustrated and Boardroom.
