Referees in the NBA are widely recognized as seasoned professionals with extensive expertise and a wealth of experience in officiating high-stakes basketball games at the highest level.
Their salaries are influenced by factors such as years of experience, performance evaluations, and the level of responsibility they have within the league.
Referees at the entry level receive a starting pay of $600 per game, equating to an approximate annual income of $250,000. Experienced or professional referees are compensated at a rate of $3,500 per game, with an annual potential earning of up to $550,000.
Furthermore, officials who officiate playoff games have the opportunity to receive additional compensation, ranging from $800 to $5,000 per postseason game.
Here are the highest-paid NBA officials as of the 2023-2024 season, along with their estimated annual salary.
Tom Washington is among the highest paid NBA officials with annual earnings of 550,000 USD.
Washington's illustrious career that spans over 31 seasons as an NBA staff official makes him the longest-serving employee.
He has officiated an impressive 1,761 regular-season games as of 2023. His expertise is further underscored by his involvement in 181 playoff games, including four NBA Finals matches. Notably,
Washington was a pivotal member of the crew selected to officiate the prestigious 2021 NBA All-Star Game held in Atlanta.
Apart from his time in the NBA, Washington served as an official for two years in the Continental Basketball Association and one year at the collegiate level.
Scott Foster has had a long and distinguished career as an NBA referee, joining the league in the 1994-95 season.
Foster is identified by the jersey number 48. Over his 28 seasons officiating in the NBA, he has presided over an impressive total of 1,617 regular-season games and 226 playoff games.
Notably, Foster refereed the crucial Game 7 of the thrilling 2010 NBA Finals clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.
Prior to making waves in professional basketball, Foster garnered experience by officiating for two years in both the Continental Basketball Association and college basketball.
Tony Brothers is another veteran referee with over 25 years of experience in the NBA. Since the 1994-95 season, he has been an NBA referee for nearly three decades.
Throughout his extensive career, Brothers has overseen more than 1,700 regular season games and presided over 186 playoff games as well as 16 NBA Finals matchups. Notably, he officiated the prestigious 2009 NBA All-Star Game held in Phoenix, Arizona.
Brothers regards his first NBA Finals experience as his most unforgettable assignment, specifically Game 2 of the 2012 Finals featuring the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sean Corbin is also listed among the highest-earning NBA referees. Corbin is a former player who turned to officiating in 1997.
During his illustrious 27 seasons as an NBA official, Sean Corbin has officiated an impressive total of 1,460 regular-season games and 90 playoff games.
His experience also includes refereeing the prestigious 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas and officiating at the iconic 2004 Summer Olympics held in Athens.
One particular highlight that stands out for Corbin is his memorable involvement in a triple-overtime game between the Boston Celtics and the Vancouver Grizzlies on February 17, 1999.
James Capers, a Chicago, Illinois resident, has been officiating NBA games since 1996.
He has presided over 1,512 regular-season matches throughout his 27-season tenure as an NBA staff official. He has also been involved in 178 playoff games, which encompass 14 NBA Finals matchups.
Capers has been a member of the Executive Board of the National Basketball Referees Association, playing a key role in negotiating collective bargaining agreements with the NBA.
Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the inaugural official selected to participate in the NBA Rules and Competition Committee.
Rodney Mott has had a significant career in the National Basketball Association, having served as a referee since 1998.
With an impressive record of officiating 1,392 regular-season games and 51 playoff games over the course of 24 seasons, he has proven to be a trusted and experienced official within the league.
His notable achievement includes refereeing the highly anticipated 2013 NBA All-Star Game held in Houston. Before his tenure with the NBA, Mott honed his skills during four years of officiating in the Continental Basketball Association.
During his 24-year tenure as an NBA staff official until 2022-23, Marc Davis has demonstrated consistency and dedication through officiating a remarkable 1,442 regular-season games.
His expertise also extends to the postseason, where he has presided over 174 critical playoff matchups, including a notable contribution in 18 NBA Finals games.
Furthermore, Davis's influence transcends beyond the standard season as evidenced by his noteworthy stints at the helm of both the 2014 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans and the prestigious 2020 NBA All-Star Game held in Chicago.
Pat Fraher, born January 13, 1974, has officiated 1,241 regular-season games and 76 playoff games in his distinguished 21-year career as an NBA staff official.
His impressive experience also includes refereeing a high-stakes NBA Finals game along with assignments such as the prestigious 2015 NBA All-Star Game in New York City.
During the 2019-20 season, Fraher officiated his first NBA Finals game, handling Game 3 of the series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat.
Michael Smith, a seasoned NBA staff official with 29 years of experience, has officiated an impressive total of 1,656 regular-season games and 59 playoff games.
His extensive career includes five years in the Continental Basketball Association and eight years at the collegiate level in prominent conferences such as the Big Ten, SEC, and Conference USA.
Among his many notable assignments, Smith considers the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans to be one of his most memorable experiences.
Leon Wood has had a distinguished career in the NBA, initially as a player and later transitioning to become an official.
As of 2023-24, he is celebrating his remarkable 28th season as a referee. Over the years, Wood has officiated an impressive total of 1,459 regular-season games and contributed to 25 playoff games during his tenure as an NBA official.
Notably, he also played a key role in refereeing the prestigious 2013 NBA All-Star Game hosted in Houston. Prior to this phase of his career, Wood was selected as the 10th pick in the renowned 1984 NBA Draft.
During his six seasons in the league, Wood played for various teams including the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks.
David Guthrie has presided over 954 regular-season matchups during his 17-season tenure as an NBA umpire.
He has been involved in 85 playoff games, including eight NBA Finals contests. Guthrie was a member of the officiating team for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte, N.C.
His most cherished NBA assignment, according to Guthrie, was his inaugural NBA Finals experience, the Game 2 of the 2018 Finals featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors.
Before entering the NBA, Guthrie served as an official in the NBA G League and the Continental Basketball Association. He supervised the NBA G League playoffs from 2003 to 2005 and refereed the NBA G League Finals in 2004 and 2005.
John Goble is a highly successful NBA official, earning around 500,000 USD from his role.
Over the span of 15 seasons, he has officiated an impressive 931 regular-season games and 113 playoff games, including seven NBA Finals matches.
Before joining the NBA staff, Goble spent four seasons in the NBA G League and was chosen to officiate at the 2007 Finals.
Besides, he has experience refereeing in various collegiate conferences such as SEC, Conference USA and Sun Belt which showcases his extensive expertise in basketball officiating at different levels.
Scott Wall, born on September 11, 1966, in Jacksonville, Illinois, has had a distinguished and extensive career as an NBA official.
With over 27 seasons of experience under his belt, he has officiated an impressive total of 1,401 regular-season games and presided over 14 playoff games.
One significant highlight from his career was his assignment to officiate the 2012 NBA All-Star Game held in Orlando.
Before making a mark in the NBA scene, Wall honed his skills with four years of officiating experience with USA Basketball before moving on to work at various levels including collegiate for four years and five additional years at the high school level.
Sean Wright is a highly experienced NBA staff official, having officiated 1,002 regular-season games over an impressive career spanning 17 seasons.
His expertise extends to playoff games as well, with 82 under his belt, including the prestigious honor of refereeing an NBA Finals game.
He made his debut as an NBA Finals official in 2021 during Game 2 between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns.
Prior to this milestone achievement, Wright also showcased his skills in the NBA G League where he officiated playoff games in 2004 and presided over the Finals in 2005.
Derek Richardson has an extensive officiating career, having presided over 1,362 regular-season NBA games and one playoff game during his impressive 25 seasons as a staff official.
The 63-year-old has a wealth of experience, including officiating the 2010 NBA All-Star Game in Dallas.
Prior to his NBA tenure, Richardson spent eight years refereeing in the Continental Basketball Association. Subsequently, he held the position of Group Supervisor II for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services for a decade.
In November 2022, Richardson acquired a private elementary school in Inglewood intending to advance education and foster opportunities for children in the local community, particularly those who are underserved.
Bill Kennedy's career as an NBA referee began in the 1995-96 season. He has a notable record of officiating 127 playoff games, including five NBA Finals matches.
In addition to his NBA experience, he also served as a referee for the 2010 FIBA World Championships and the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Among his numerous high-profile assignments, Kennedy holds his first NBA Finals game in high regard: Game 3 of the intense series between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers in 2010 stands out as one of his most memorable moments.
Furthermore, he brought his expertise to two games in the WNBA Finals back in 1998.
Zach Zarba has established himself as a seasoned NBA official with an impressive track record of officiating over 1,182 regular season and 133 playoff games.
His extensive experience spans across various leagues including the G League, CBA, and IBL before making his mark in the NBA in 2004.
A defining moment in his career came when he officiated Game 3 of the thrilling 2013 NBA Finals, an assignment that remains etched in his memory as one of the most remarkable experiences on court.
