Howard Webb: How Much Premier League Referees Can Earn Per Year with Extra Duties

The salaries of Premier League referees have been thrust into the spotlight following a revealing presentation by Howard Webb, Chief Refereeing Officer of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). According to Webb, top-flight referees in England’s premier football competition can earn as much as £250,000 annually, with their income boosted by extra duties and performance incentives, making them some of the highest-paid officials in the sport.

In a recent meeting with English Football League (EFL) clubs, Webb disclosed that the base salary for Premier League referees ranges from £72,000 to £148,000, depending on experience and seniority. However, this figure is just the starting point. Referees also receive match fees—typically around £1,116 per game—and performance bonuses, pushing the average annual earnings for Select Group 1 referees (the elite tier of Premier League officials) to between £170,000 and £180,000. For the highest earners, additional responsibilities with UEFA and FIFA, such as officiating Champions League matches, can elevate their total compensation to the £250,000 mark.

Webb’s presentation, reported by multiple outlets including The Mirror and The Times, highlighted how these six-figure salaries reflect the growing demands and scrutiny faced by referees in one of the world’s most competitive leagues. “The role of a Premier League referee is more complex than ever,” Webb said, emphasizing the need for increased funding to sustain officiating standards. He noted that the PGMOL faces a projected £23.1 million shortfall over the next five years unless additional financial support is secured, primarily from the Premier League, which currently contributes £17.4 million annually to the refereeing body.

The revelation comes amid recent changes to referees’ earning opportunities. Previously, top officials like Michael Oliver could supplement their income by officiating high-profile matches abroad, such as in the Saudi Pro League, where fees reportedly reached £3,000 per game. However, a September 2024 report by The Times confirmed that PGMOL has now barred referees from taking on such overseas assignments, a decision prompted by scheduling conflicts and high-profile errors—like the one committed by Darren England and Dan Cook in a Premier League match just 48 hours after officiating in the UAE.

For referees at the top end of the pay scale, international duties remain a significant income booster. Officials such as Oliver, Anthony Taylor, and Chris Kavanagh, who have officiated Champions League fixtures this season, benefit from UEFA and FIFA engagements, further elevating their earnings beyond the domestic average. Kavanagh, for instance, marked his Champions League debut this term, refereeing Slovan Bratislava vs. VfB Stuttgart, adding to his growing profile and paycheck.