If you love sports, then being a referee can give you the chance to make a little money on the side doing something you love. Being a referee for soccer is probably the quickest and easiest way to start refereeing. Pretty much all school districts have soccer teams, and it’s a pretty simple sport to get down.
You can expect to make around $50 for an elementary school game, with advanced games paying more. There’s always a need for referees. Refs help the game to go smoothly and keep the kids safe. You also get to help build lifelong skills in students like sportsmanship. One of the perks of this side hustle is that it’s literally a hustle. You’re on your feet the whole time, running back and forth, so you get some great exercise. You have to be able to stand by your calls and be confident in your skills of observation. It takes focus, but it can also be very rewarding, and that’s why it’s on our Side Hustle Master List.
Concept | |
category | Recreation |
Takeaways | Requires knowledge of a particular sport & physical stamina; need to make contact with sports teams, schools, etc to find jobs. |
complexity lowhigh  | Capital Required lowhigh |
skill required lowhigh | time required lowhigh |
return potential lowhigh |
 | learn more |
Requirements
To referee games beyond backyard baseball, you’ll have to get certified by a local authority. The process may include a physical fitness test, but at a minimum, you need to have normal mobility, hearing, and vision. You might also have to be a certain age, such as 18 or 21. You also may be asked to take a training course before you’re able to become certified. Check around your local area or the internet for information, and if you don’t know who to contact, you can attend a few games and talk to the referees who are there. Different associations have different requirements for referee certification, so be sure to check out the links below for more information.