Major League Soccer (MLS) is the 1st tier men’s professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. According to reports, a professional MLS referees salaries is around $800 per game while assistant soccer referees earn $360 per match and women referees received a base salary of $300 per match or up to $18,000 a year.
The league comprises 26 teams including 23 in the USA and 3 in Canada and will expand to 30 teams by 2024. It is overlooked and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation.
It is one of the largest professional sports leagues in both countries. MLS has a huge fan following as several top world-class players from Europe like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, David Villa joined the MLS at the later stages of their career.
MLS Referees Salaries 2024
The pay scale for referee officials in the MLS is based on experience. Experience is judged by the number of regular-season and playoff games a referee has officiated. According to the MLS Referee Manual, the pay scale is divided into four levels based on the above factors.
Level 1 MLS Referees Salary
This is the lowest level on the MLS pay scale; Level 1 officials or referees have experience of 20 games or less under their belt, level 1 referees earn $565 per game, assistant referees make $255 per game, and fourth officials earn $205.
Level 2 MLS Referees Salary
Referees who have experience of 21 to 40 games come under the Level – 2 categories in the MLS pay scale. They make $670 per game, assistant referees make $310, and fourth officials earn $230.
Level 3 MLS Referees Salary
Referees who have experience of 41 to 75 matches come under the Level 3 category. These referees receive $775 per game, assistant referees earn $360, and fourth officials make $260.
Level 4 MLS Referees Salary
Level 4 is the highest level on the MLS pay scale; officials in this Level are the most experienced field officials who have 76 or more games under their belts at the start of the MLS season.
All FIFA officials have Level 4 status, Level 4 referees receive $875 per game, the assistant referees receive $495, and the fourth official earns $285.
Only experienced level 4 referees who are selected frequently for most of the season’s games make $55,000. Assistant Referees earn $500 per game, and Video Assistant Referees (VAR) also achieve the same amount as field assistant referees.
At the end of each season, the Field Assistant Referee shall receive a maximum of $15k, including match fees and some bonus money.
Highest Paid MLS Referees 2024/21
| Referee | Per Match Fees | All-Star Match Fees | Annual Earning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match Referee | |||
| Silviu Petrescu | $850 | $1,500 | $55,000 |
| Hilario Grajeda | $850 | $1,500 | $55,000 |
| Mark Geiger | $850 | $1,500 | $55,000 |
| Alan Kelly | $850 | $1,500 | $55,000 |
| Allen Chapman | $850 | $1,500 | $55,000 |
| Kevin Stott | $850 | $1,500 | $55,000 |
| Assistant Referees | |||
| Ian Anderson | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Kermit Quisenberry | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Paul Scott | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Corey Parker | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Frank Anderson | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Joe Fletcher | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Brian Dunn | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Video Assistant Referees | |||
| Malik Badawi | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Jon Freemon | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Geoff Gamble | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Daniel Radford | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
| Sorin Stoica | $500 | $1,000 | $15,000 |
Disclaimer: The above information about the youth soccer referee salaries and professional MLS referee salaries are based on the analysis, research and reports released by the officials.