Umpires, referees, and other sports officials
SOC Code: 27-2023
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials carries a 42% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $38,820 and +5.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 19,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials (SOC 27-2023) carries an AI exposure score of 42%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 19,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.7% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $38,820, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Umpires, referees, and other sports officials. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
- 2. Judge performances in sporting competitions to award points, impose scoring penalties, and determine results.
- 3. Inspect game sites for compliance with regulations or safety requirements.
- 4. Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
- 5. Verify scoring calculations before competition winners are announced.
- 6. Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
- 7. Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
- 8. Start races and competitions.
- 9. Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
- 10. Compile scores and other athletic records.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Communications and Media
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Transportation
- Administrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Umpires, referees, and other sports officials?
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials has an AI exposure score of 42%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Umpires, referees, and other sports officials?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Umpires, referees, and other sports officials is projected to grow by 5.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 19,300 workers.
What skills are needed for Umpires, referees, and other sports officials?
Key skills for Umpires, referees, and other sports officials include Speaking, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Umpires, referees, and other sports officials earn?
The median annual wage for Umpires, referees, and other sports officials is $38,820, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Umpires, referees, and other sports officials?
The typical entry-level education for Umpires, referees, and other sports officials is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Umpires, referees, and other sports officials?
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).