The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is the professional field lacrosse league in the United States. Referees in the PLL are paid as part of the professional sports officiating world, and their fees are higher than at the college or high-school level, though exact numbers are not always public. Here is what is generally known or estimated about PLL referee pay.
The PLL operates with multiple officials (crews of three) who travel to each tour stop. Officials are usually contracted by the league. The PLL season spans several weekends at different locations, and referees work multiple games each weekend. Travel, lodging, and meal expenses are covered by the league for these crews, as is common in professional sports.
No official salary schedule is published, but various sources and referee discussions suggest that PLL referees earn on the order of a few hundred dollars per game. Some estimates say:
Given that a typical PLL weekend has about 4 to 8 games over a couple of days, a crew might make a significant sum for the weekend. For instance, if a referee gets $500 per game and works two games in one day, that’s $1,000 for the day, plus travel pay. A full weekend could be $1,500 or higher.
For comparison, college lacrosse refs top out around $400 per game in D1. So PLL pay is competitive – it rewards the top officiating talent in lacrosse. The PLL is a fully professional league, so its referees are paid more than amateurs, reflecting the league’s status and revenue model.
Besides the per-game fee, PLL referees enjoy professional benefits during assignments. The league provides travel arrangements (flights), hotel accommodations, and often meals. This means an official’s out-of-pocket expenses are minimal.
Additionally, working in the PLL gives referees exposure and experience at the highest level of lacrosse, which can lead to opportunities in other professional assignments or international events. There may also be end-of-year bonuses or contracts for multi-year officials, but specifics are not widely known.
Even with higher per-game pay, PLL refereeing is seasonal (spring/summer) and usually requires officials to have other jobs or income the rest of the year. If an official works all PLL games (which may be around 25 games including playoffs) at, say, $500 per game, that’s about $12,500 from game fees, plus travel coverage. Top officials working playoffs could exceed $20,000 for the season. That is higher than most college lacrosse referees earn, but still modest as an annual salary (especially if this is their only job).
Some PLL referees also officiate in college or box lacrosse in the fall/winter, adding to their annual earnings. A few veteran officials might get paid more if they have special roles (like referees who also act as clinic instructors or supervisors for the league).
In conclusion, PLL referee salaries in 2025 can be considered quite good for lacrosse officiating, though they are not on the scale of major pro sports (NBA, NFL). They provide a professional income for those specializing in lacrosse officiating, compensating the officials for the high speed and expertise required at the pro level.
