Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace umpires, referees, and other sports officials?AI replacement risk 35% and how the work is changing

United States Sports & Fitness Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$40,710
25th–75th pct. $32,260–$57,160
Top pay (est.)
$107,800
Top 10% $82,960
Pay in 5 years
$47,600est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$55,600est.
$47,800–$64,600
Outlook score
61/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
35%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+5.2%
4,300 openings / yr

Will AI replace Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials? AI replacement risk

35%
Low
Ranked #305 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials

Key skills

Critical Thinking
3.5
Monitoring
3.1
Speaking
3.1
Reading Comprehension
3.1
Judgment and Decision Making
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Active Listening
3.0
Active Learning
3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

English Language
3.4
Education and Training
3.3
Administration and Management
3.0
Customer and Personal Service
2.9
Psychology
2.5
Computers and Electronics
2.5
Communications and Media
2.5
Administrative
2.1

What the work involves

Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsGetting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Important abilities

Far VisionSelective AttentionOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityPerceptual Speed

Education of workers

High school diploma
43%
Less than high school
24%
Bachelor's degree
14%
Post-secondary certificate
10%
Doctoral degree
5%
Associate's degree
5%

Training before entry

1–2 years
24%
3–6 months
24%
1–3 months
19%
Up to 1 month
19%
None / short demo
10%
4–10 years
5%

Related work experience

None
38%
Over 10 years
14%
2–4 years
14%
4–6 years
14%
1–3 months
10%
3–6 months
10%

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.