This is how much money Shawn Smith and his officiating crew will make for the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the ultimate payday for NFL referees, with bonuses, high stakes, and a once-in-a-lifetime spotlight.
Shawn Smith will be the lead referee for Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. This marks the first time he will take charge of the NFL’s championship game.
The full officiating crew for Sunday’s game includes Umpire Roy Ellison, Down Judge Dana McKenzie, Line Judge Julian Mapp, Field Judge Jason Ledet, Side Judge Eugene Hall, and Back Judge Greg Steed.
Shawn Smith is the head ref for the Super Bowl
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 2, 2026
Smith by the numbers:
Favorites are 2-5 ATS in his playoff career
Smith calls 9.4 penalties per playoff game (NFL avg 11.4)
35% of penalties resulted in auto 1st downs (NFL avg 28.3%)
Full Breakdown:https://t.co/lqiS6Iw6Yh
How much do NFL referees make?
Widespread reports place the yearly salary for NFL referees at around $200,000 to $250,000. That figure covers only the regular season; postseason games are paid separately, with non-Super Bowl playoff games bringing in an estimated $3,000 to $5,000 each. For the Super Bowl, officials are thought to earn an additional $40,000 to $50,000, according to multiple media outlets.
NFL referee salaries are not officially disclosed. Estimates are based on previous, expired collective bargaining agreements between the NFL Referees Association and the league.
NFL referees have other jobs
Currently, there are no full-time referees in the NFL. Officials are allowed to hold other jobs, and many do.
Smith, who previously worked as an internal auditor in Southfield, Michigan, now manages the Detroit branch of a medical insurance firm during the week. For him, refereeing in the NFL is essentially a weekend gig.
The Super Bowl LX officiating crew also includes a health insurance salesman, a physical therapist, and a tax fraud investigator, among others.
Becoming an NFL referee
To reach the NFL, referees must have at least 10 years of experience, with at least five at a high level in college football.
Smith joined the league as an umpire in 2015 and was promoted to referee in 2018 after two officials retired.
The Ferris State graduate, who wears No. 14, has handled 11 previous playoff assignments in his eight years as a referee, including this season’s Divisional Round when the Patriots beat the Houston Texans.
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