How Much Do Rugby Referees Get Paid?

Most Rugby Unions don’t reveal how much they pay their professional referees. However, for professional rugby referee, the annual earnings in a non-World Cup year is €66,300.

A World Cup bonus takes top referees to €94,000 in a year.

Here are the earnings of rugby referees in different currencies:
Salary Match Fees World Cup Bonus
Euros 52,000 550 28,000
Sterling 44,200 470 23,800
Dollars 60,200 640 32,400

Rugby Referees in the Southern Hemisphere, as at 2017, were paid in six figures per annum.

Referees who officiated at international level could get bonuses to bring up their salaries to 200,000 New Zealand dollars.

Most countries will pay some level of expenses to referees officiating at amateur club matches.

In New Zealand, referees are paid $500 New Zealand dollars for the Mitre 10 Cup, which is the top level of amateur rugby in the country. Lower level match fees are around $200.

In New York, referees in the amateur league get $100 while their assistants receive $50 per match.

In Ireland, referees get travel expenses for amateur club matches.

Some amateur leagues will only cover travel expenses, while some of the more high-profile amateur rugby tournaments will provide more significant payments to the referees.