It is not a new thing if we see those asking how much referees get paid. After all, the popularity of the league will only result in folks wanting to know how much the men in charge of the on-pitch events earn.
Referees earn decent pay regardless of the occasional controversies that surround them in the course of a tournament or Premier League football season.
If you’re thinking of taking the lane of becoming an International Referee (Premier League Referee) or nursing such ambition, then we have got you covered to know their take-home pay and other perks based on recent proceedings in the most popular and most followed football league in the world.
Premier League Referee Salary In 2025
In 2025, Premier League referees are among the best-paid officials in football. On average, they earn about £180,000 a year, according to data from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
This figure does not include extra payments like match fees and bonuses. However, the salary depends on experience.
New referees in the top group, known as Select Group 1, usually earn between £72,000 and £125,000 a year.
More experienced referees, such as Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver, can earn up to £250,000 when match fees and performance bonuses are added.
On top of their yearly pay, referees also get paid for every match they officiate. A referee earns around £1,100 to £1,150 per game in the Premier League.
How Much Do Assistant Premier League Referees Earn In 2025?
According to figures from PGMOL and reports from The Athletic and BBC Sport, assistant referees now earn about £110,000 a year as a base salary.
This was also confirmed by former refereeing chief Howard Webb.
On top of their salary, they get match fees of around £850 per game. Since most assistants officiate between 30 and 35 Premier League matches each season, this can add a good extra amount to their earnings.
They can also earn bonuses based on their fitness, professionalism, and how well they are rated throughout the season.
Many assistants also take on extra work as Video Assistant Referees (VAR), which pays a similar rate to their on-field role.
How Premier League Referee Salaries Compare to Other European Leagues?
Here’s how Premier League referee salaries compared with other top European leagues in 2025:
League | Country | Average Annual Earnings (Base + Match Fees + Bonuses) | Match Fee (per game) |
|---|---|---|---|
Premier League | England | £180,000 | £1,100 - £1,150 |
La Liga | Spain | ~£190,000 | ~£5,000 |
Serie A | Italy | ~£112,000 | ~£3,000 |
Bundesliga | Germany | ~£92,000 | ~£3,150 |
Ligue 1 | France | ~£80,000 | ~£2,400 |
From the above facts, it’s clear that Premier League referees have a decent look and the referees receive a good sum worth their steady conflict with players, coaches, and teams during the games.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.