How much do MLB umpires make in the playoffs? Postseason salaries for umps
Undoubtedly, the World Series is the biggest stage on which players in MLB can play, but what you might not know is that’s also the case for umpires.
In most sports, the job of an umpire is never easy and in the MLB it’s no different. Indeed, it’s often quite literally the difference for players and fans alike between being a savior and an absolute villain. With that, one has to wonder just how they are compensated. Let’s take a look.
Umpire salaries in the World Series
Each year when the MLB regular season ends, a select group of umpires are called upon once more to cover the World Series. By select, we mean individuals are chosen based on how well they performed during the season i.e., the best umpires are selected to oversee the ‘Fall Classic.’ That’s not to say these men don’t face the aforementioned ire of fans and players if they make mistakes, but at the least, they are paid well enough to soften the blow. How much are we talking about? Let’s break it down.
Now, while there is no official figure listed in terms of how much MLB umpires are paid for working the World Series, we do have some insight into more or less what they take home. According to John C. Skipper’s 2010 book, “Umpires: Classic Baseball Stories from the Men Who Made the Calls,” umpires who work the World Series receive an additional $20,000, plus expenses. As for those who work the earlier rounds of the playoffs, it’s understood that they pocket $17,500 plus expenses. Regarding how the former figure breaks down, it’s about $5,000 per game if the series is a clean sweep, and approximately $2,857.14 per game if the series goes to seven games. If you think about it, that’s not a bad payday.
How much do MLB umpires make during the regular season?
Quite a bit to be honest. That’s not to say the additional paycheck they get - if selected - from the World Series isn’t welcome, but it’s actually a small amount relative to what they earn during the regular season. According to Career Trend, MLB umpires will make between $150,000 and $450,000 during the regular season depending on their level of experience/time in the league. To put that in perspective, if you take the regular season, then add three playoff series - using a rate of $17,500 per series - and the World Series itself, you could realistically have a situation where an umpire earns as much as $522,500 in a year. Again, that’s not a bad payday.