Premier League referees can earn a higher salary than their peers in Europe’s top five leagues, according to a new report.
Referees who are involved in the Premier League are part of the Select Group of officials, which is the top level, and they are therefore paid appropriately.
They receive a regular wage, which is topped up by match fees for every game they are assigned to.
According to a report by The Athletic, Premier League officials are paid on a sliding scale weighted on their level of experience and rank, with salaries between £73,191, £105,257 and £147,258.
Match fees for the official work out at £1,116 per match, with Video Assistant Referees receiving £837.
Premier League officials can earn more than their counterparts in Europe’s top five leagues
![Referees in La Liga, however, have the highest average salary from officials across Europe](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/04/16/83241745-13272329-image-a-3_1712242982532.jpg)
Referees in La Liga, however, have the highest average salary from officials across Europe
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League | Lowest salary | Highest salary |
---|---|---|
Premier League | £73,191 | £147,258 |
La Liga | £123,256 | £123,256 |
Serie A | £76,954 | £77,345 |
Ligue 1 | £66,716 | £67,058 |
Bundesliga | £52,977 | £70,067 |
Officials can also earn more income through bonuses, earned through performances and the number of key match incidents they get right.
The top salary in the Premier League exceeds salaries earned by officials in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The highest average salary, however, is earned by Spanish officials who are paid a fixed total of £124,256 per season. This is reportedly further boosted by £21,929 for image rights related to advertising on their kit.
Serie A are the next highest payers with officials earning a top salary of £77,345, including a £3,437 match fee.
Referees in Ligue 1 are paid a maximum of £67,058 with a £2,880 match fee, followed German officials earning £70,067 and £4784 per Bundesliga game.
![Referees can also earn more by refereeing European matches, such as Anthony Taylor overseeing last year's Europa League final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/04/16/83241541-13272329-image-a-1_1712242831393.jpg)
Referees can also earn more by refereeing European matches, such as Anthony Taylor overseeing last year’s Europa League final
The figures are dependent on experience, with referees in the German top flight initially starting out on a £52,977 salary before moving up the scale dependent on experience.
Officials including high-profile names such as Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver also have the ability to earn greater sums.
The likes of Taylor and Oliver have regularly taken charge of European matches and at international level, which come with additional match fees.
Taylor last year took charge of the Europa League final between Roma and Sevilla.