In 2025, Major League Baseball (MLB) umpires make between approximately $150,000 and $450,000 per year, depending on their experience and seniority. Entry-level umpires typically start around $150,000 annually, while veteran umpires can earn well over $400,000. The average salary hovers around $300,000 per year. MLB umpires work around 120 to 140 games per season, and their pay per game averages about $1,852 during the regular season. In addition to base salaries, umpires earn bonuses for officiating postseason games, including the playoffs and the World Series, where bonuses can add tens of thousands of dollars to their earnings. For example, playoff bonuses are about $17,500 plus expenses, and World Series bonuses are about $20,000 plus expenses. Umpires are full-time employees with benefits, including paid travel expenses for their extensive travel schedule across North America. They also benefit from salary increases as they gain experience and take on leadership roles such as crew chiefs. To summarize:
- Starting salary: around $150,000 per year
- Average salary: around $300,000 per year
- Veteran salary: $350,000 to $450,000+
- Bonus for playoff games: approx. $17,500 plus expenses
- Bonus for World Series: approx. $20,000 plus expenses
- Workload: 120 to 140 games per season
- Pay per game: approx. $1,852
This compensation reflects the high demands and scrutiny of umpiring in MLB games along with their crucial role in the sport.
