AFL umpire salary and the national average
AFL umpire pay is not a standard annual salary. Unlike most full-time employees, umpires are typically paid per match, and rates vary by league, level of experience, and role (field umpire, boundary umpire, goal umpire). The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific figure for AFL umpires. The closest occupation classification, 'Sports Umpires' (ANZSCO 452322), has median weekly earnings listed as N/A in the Jobs and Skills Australia profile, because 98% of sports umpires work part-time and the median age is just 16 years. This means the national earnings benchmarks for full-time adults are not directly comparable.
Where the national full-time average sits
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week nationally, or about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52 weeks). This is the figure used as the 'line' on this site. For men the average is about $113,412 per year; for women about $100,594. State averages range from $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the Australian Capital Territory.
For context, the full-time median weekly earnings (from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, August 2025) are $1,887 per week, or about $90,532 per year. The all-employees median is $1,436 per week, about $74,100 per year. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work).
What would move AFL umpire pay above or below the average?
Because AFL umpire pay is not published as a fixed salary, we can only discuss factors that would push earnings relative to the national full-time average.
Above the average: Senior AFL field umpires officiating multiple matches per week during the regular season, plus finals series and grand finals, could earn match fees that, if annualised, might exceed the full-time average of $108,352. However, umpiring is seasonal (typically March to September), and umpires often have other employment. If an umpire also works in a high-paying occupation (e.g., professional, managerial) their total income could be well above the average. The ABS notes that the highest hourly earnings are for Managers ($69.20) and Professionals ($64.50).
Below the average: Lower-level umpires (local leagues, junior competitions, AFLW) earn lower match fees, often well below the full-time weekly average. The part-time nature means total annual earnings are likely far below $52,255 (the minimum wage annualised). The median age of 16 for sports umpires indicates many are teenagers, so their earnings are minimal.
No clear comparison: Without a published salary, any comparison is speculative. The ABS does not collect umpire-specific data. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile states median weekly earnings are N/A for sports umpires, meaning no reliable figure exists.
How the figures are set
AFL umpire pay is determined by individual arrangements or collective agreements between the AFL and the Umpires' Association. These are not publicly released in detail. For most Australian employees, pay is set by awards, collective agreements, or individual arrangements. The ABS reports that individual arrangement is the most common method (38.5%), followed by collective agreement (34.6%).
Using this site to place a salary on the line
If you have an actual AFL umpire salary figure (e.g., from a contract or published report), you can place a salary on the line to see how it compares with the national full-time average, medians, and minimum wage. You can also explore job medians for other occupations or industry medians for broader comparisons. For more on how we calculate the line, see How the figures are set.
State and territory differences
Full-time average earnings vary by state and territory. For example, the ACT average is $119,090, while Tasmania is $96,008. An AFL umpire based in Melbourne (Victoria) would compare against Victoria's full-time average of about $106,137. But again, without a specific umpire salary, the comparison is not meaningful. See states and territories for more detail.
Guides and further reading
For general guidance on Australian salaries and how they relate to awards, see our Guides. The site's About this site page explains the methodology and data sources.
In summary, the AFL umpire salary is not a standard published figure. The national full-time average of $108,352 per year serves as a benchmark, but umpire pay is typically per match and seasonal, making direct comparison difficult. The ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia data confirm that sports umpires are predominantly part-time and young, with no median earnings available.