Despite making over $200,000 a year, many NFL referees still hold full-time jobs as attorneys, aerospace engineers, and college professors
Gen Z may be juggling multiple jobs out of financial necessity, but they’re not alone. Many of the NFL’s 121 referees hold second jobs—just for fun.
Many NFL referees earn over $200,000 annually but maintain full-time jobs in other professions. Clete Blakeman, a Nebraska attorney; Brad Rogers, a Texas Tech business lecturer; and Shawn Hochuli, a California financial advisor, are among those who balance football and other careers. These officials earn an average of $205,000 per year, with a reported 10% increase in pay for 2026.
Many officials began their non-football careers before joining the NFL. Shawn Smith, an auditor at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, finds parallels between his auditing work and officiating, emphasizing objectivity, independence, and discipline. Adrian Hill, a NASA software engineer, and other NFL officials face different decision-making challenges in their respective fields.
The NFL requires extensive experience in officiating and physical fitness to be considered for the position. For those who maintain multiple jobs, the dual pursuit can stem from passion or necessity, as seen in Olympic athletes and Gen Z workers facing a challenging job market.
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