MLB umpires earn some of the highest salaries in professional sports officiating. Their pay is based on experience, game level, and postseason assignments.
β Entry-Level MLB Umpire Salary: $150,000 per year
β Senior MLB Umpire Salary: $450,000 per year
β Per Game Salary: ~$1,500 - $2,500 per game
β Postseason & World Series Bonuses: $20,000 - $50,000
π¨ Compared to players, umpires make significantly less, but their job security and benefits make it a rewarding career in professional baseball.
π° How Much Do MLB Umpires Make Per Game?
β MLB umpires work 162 regular-season games , earning $1,500 - $2,500 per game .
β Senior umpires with 10+ years of experience earn at the higher end of this range.
π Playoff & World Series Pay
β MLB Playoff Umpires: $5,000 - $10,000 per game
β World Series Umpires: $20,000+ for the series
π Additional Bonuses:
β Umpires selected for the MLB All-Star Game receive an extra $5,000 bonus
β Those officiating World Series games receive up to $50,000 in bonuses
π¨ Officiating in the postseason is a major career milestone and significantly boosts an umpireβs total earnings.
While entry-level umpires earn $150,000 per year , the highest-paid MLB umpires make over $450,000 annually .
π Top-Paid MLB Umpires (2024-2025):
Rank | Umpire | Annual Salary |
---|---|---|
1οΈβ£ | Joe West (Retired) | $500,000+ |
2οΈβ£ | Gerry Davis (Retired) | $450,000 |
3οΈβ£ | Laz DΓaz | $425,000 |
4οΈβ£ | Ted Barrett | $420,000 |
5οΈβ£ | Γngel HernΓ‘ndez | $400,000 |
β Experience β Umpires with 15+ years in the league earn the highest salaries.
β Postseason Selections β Regularly officiating playoffs and World Series games boosts earnings.
β Crew Chief Promotions β Leading an umpiring crew comes with higher pay and additional responsibilities.
π Umpires who consistently officiatehigh-stakes MLB gamessee their salaries rise dramatically over time.
Not all umpires start at the topβmost begin in the minor leagues before earning a spot in the MLB .
π Minor League Umpire Salary Breakdown (2024-2025):
π Minor League Umpire Salary Breakdown (2024-2025):
League | Entry-Level Salary | Top Salary |
---|---|---|
Rookie Leagues (A Ball) | $2,000 per month | $3,000 per month |
Double-A (AA) | $2,500 per month | $3,500 per month |
Triple-A (AAA) | $3,900 per month | $4,500 per month |
π€οΈ Pathway from Minor Leagues to the MLB
β Umpires must spend years in the minors before getting an MLB call-up.
β On average, it takes 7-10 years for an umpire to reach the MLB level.
β AAA umpires earn around $45,000 per season βfar less than their MLB counterparts.
π¨ Breaking into the MLB as an umpire is extremely competitive, with only a few making it each year.
Besides their high salaries , MLB umpires receive some of the best benefits in professional officiating.
π Perks & Benefits for MLB Umpires:
β Travel Expenses Covered β Flights, hotels, and meals are paid for by MLB.
β Health & Dental Insurance β Full coverage for umpires and their families.
β Pension & Retirement Plans β MLB umpires receive excellent retirement benefits.
β Meal Stipends β Umpires receive a daily food allowance on the road.
π¨ With extensive travel and long seasons, these perks help umpires stay comfortable while working in a demanding profession.
Becoming an MLB umpire requires rigorous training, experience, and patience.
π Steps to Becoming an MLB Umpire:
β Step 1: Attend a Professional Umpire Training School (e.g., Wendelstedt Umpire School).
β Step 2: Get selected for Minor League Umpiring after passing evaluations.
β Step 3: Spend 7-10 years working through the minor league system .
β Step 4: Get promoted to Triple-A , where umpires are evaluated for MLB call-ups .
β Step 5: Earn a full-time MLB umpire position and begin officiating at the highest level.
π Only ahandful of umpiresmake it to the MLB each year, making it an elite profession.
With MLB revenues increasing , umpire salaries have steadily grown over the years .
π MLB Umpire Salary Growth (2020-2025):
Year | Entry-Level Salary | Veteran Salary |
---|---|---|
2020 | $120,000 | $400,000 |
2022 | $140,000 | $425,000 |
2024 | $150,000 | $450,000 |
2025 (Projected) | $160,000+ | $475,000+ |
π Predictions for Future Salary Growth:
β Expect entry-level salaries to exceed $160,000 by 2026 .
β With new TV deals , postseason umpire bonuses may increase .
β The potential implementation of automated strike zones may change umpire roles & salaries.
π As MLB generates more revenue, umpire salaries will likely continue to rise.
For those passionate about baseball, being an MLB umpire is a highly respected and well-paying career .
π Key Takeaways:
β MLB umpires earn $150,000 - $450,000 per year
β Postseason umpires make $5,000 - $10,000 per game
β Minor league umpires earn significantly less but can work their way up
β MLB umpiring is a competitive career requiring years of experience
π Interested in more sports salary breakdowns? Stay tuned toNo2MinuteWarning.comfor the latest updates!