How much do IHSA officials make per game? Here are the numbers

High school sports can’t happen without officials. The referees, umpires and starters are as integral to prep sports as the athletes and coaches participating.

Licensed Illinois High School Association officials are in high demand, but short supply. This has caused statewide athletics directors to hire officials for multiple games on any given night. But that also means extra compensation for those individuals willing to take on two games.

So, that begs the question: what do high school officials make a game?

The IHSA needs officials.This pair from Peoria is doing something about it

The Mid-Illini Conference and local officials are in current negotiations about a contract renewal that would include a tier-type system for the 2024-25 school year and beyond.

“We look at surrounding conferences that are kind of like ours,” East Peoria athletics director Denee Menzione said, noting the Big 12, Western Big Six and Apollo are the leagues under the Mid-Illini’s purview and service much of central Illinois.

“We kind of gather the information about what other (similar) conferences (do) for official pay," she said. "(We) just kind of get equal pay across the board (with those conferences), because we’re all stealing officials from each other.”

Here is what officials in central Illinois are getting paid. These figures are based on what the Mid-Illini pays its officials under the current three-year contract from fall 2021 to spring 2024.

How much do IHSA football officials make?

Each of the five varsity officials — referee, umpire, head line judge, line judge and back judge — each get $90. Sophomore or JV officials make $80. Freshman officials make $70. Any official doing two games a night gets both fees for each of the respective games.

IHSA officials:How the JFL of Central Illinois could become a farm system for IHSA officials

How much do high school basketball refs make per game?

The three referees used in varsity boys or girls are making $80 a game. On the sophomore level, two refs make $60 a game, while a three-person crew makes $55 each. Freshman refs make $55 for two officials, but $65 if there’s an ‘A’ and ‘B’ game.

How much do IHSA baseball umpires get paid?

Two varsity umpires get paid $70 each. Sophomore and freshman umpires — plate and base — get paid $65 each. Any doubleheaders result in double pay.

How much do IHSA softball umpires get paid?

A pair of varsity umps make $65 each. Sophomore umpires are getting paid $60 a game. Again, any doubleheaders give the umpires double pay.

How much do IHSA volleyball officials get paid?

The two officials get paid $90 a night to officiate all three levels. Some schools will start paying line judges for the 2024 campaign.

What do IHSA refs make in smaller sports?

Other sports include boys and girls soccer (center official: $70 and two sideline refs: $55 each), wrestling (dual meets to tournaments: $75 to $235), cross country and track officials (dual meets to bigger meets: $50 to $150).

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What do officials make in the IHSA postseason?

“For postseason pay, our office works independently from whatever fees schools pay officials in the regular season,” IHSA associate executive director Kurt Gibson said. “As you can likely imagine, those prices will vary considerably by any number of factors so while we have a general idea of what various schools pay, it’s just a general idea.

“For postseason pay, our office establishes a ‘baseline’ fee that is used to guide what we will pay officials by sport. Postseason pay will differ slightly by sport, as tournaments are unique. They have different levels of postseason play, the number of officials per sport can vary, along with the amount of time an event takes.”

Gibson gives a competitive cheerleading sectional as an example. That sectional uses fewer officials than a football playoff game, but the cheer sectional can lasts at least twice as long. Those are types of factors that are considered when establishing pay levels. He says once the baseline is established, officials are paid a percentage of the base (plus mileage) by tournament, with the percentage growing as the tournament rounds advance. State finals officials earn 100% of the base.

“We review our pay structure every few years,” Gibson said, “along with reviewing the amount schools receive for hosting post-season events, which also varies by sport and tournament level.

“Next year, all these payments will increase — both for officials and host schools — as we try to adjust to trends in the space.”

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.