Premier League referees are earning some of the highest salaries in the country, with top officials making up to £250,000 per year, newly revealed figures show.
According to chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, who disclosed the earnings in a meeting with EFL clubs, the average salary for a Premier League referee ranges between £170,000 and £180,000, while senior officials such as Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver command earnings closer to £250,000.
These salaries are made up of a base pay—ranging from £72,000 to £148,000—supplemented by performance bonuses and match fees. When pension and national insurance contributions are included, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) estimates the total cost per referee at £240,000 annually.
For comparison, the average salaries of pilots (£91,208), chief executives (£81,328), IT directors (£81,588), and specialist medical practitioners (£73,320) fall significantly below what top referees earn. However, finance and legal professionals in top City roles continue to earn more than referees.
While Premier League referees can supplement their income by officiating UEFA and FIFA-sanctioned matches—including the Champions League, Europa League, and World Cup—PGMOL has now restricted their ability to work in certain foreign leagues.
This move follows controversy last year when referees Michael Oliver, Darren England, and Dan Cook officiated a match in the United Arab Emirates less than 48 hours before a major VAR mistake in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Tottenham. The incident raised concerns about conflicts of interest, especially given the Premier League’s links to Gulf state investments through Manchester City’s UAE ownership and Newcastle United’s ties to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Despite these new restrictions, Premier League referees continue to enjoy lucrative earnings, reflecting their growing responsibilities and the intense scrutiny they face in one of the world’s most-watched football leagues.