Hockey is one of the most popular sports in Canada, and it has been that way for decades. According to the report by the CBC, it’s recorded that about 58% of Canadians follow the NHL, the Canadian men’s professional hockey league. This just shows the passion the people have for the game. However with the popularity of the game, one group that barely gets the attention are the referees. As a group that ensures that every game is well coordinated, they barely get the accolades. But the good thing is: they get paid well enough.
So have you ever wondered how much do NHL refs make, especially for those at the top of the profession? While the NHL doesn’t publish individual referee salaries, estimates for the highest-paid NHL referee salary can be extrapolated from publicly available pay scales. So in this post, we will look at five highest paid referees, how much they’re likely earning, and the career paths that led them to the top.
Highest-Paid NHL Referee Salary
Here are the top earners in this category:
1. Kelly Sutherland
Kelly Sutherland is arguably Canada’s most seasoned NHL referee in history. Born in Richmond, British Columbia, he joined the NHL in 2000 and since then he has officiated over 1500 regular season games and about 240 playoff games. Based on available records, the NHL doesn’t stipulate the actual amount each referee earns, but under the current collective bargaining agreement, Canadian NHL referees make up to $500,000.
His years of experience and game time has earned him a reputation as being a high-profile game official thereby boosting his earnings. However, he didn’t start at the top, as he began his career officiating in the junior leagues.
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2. Chris Rooney
Chris Rooney is also another entry that gets a high NHL referee salary. This American official began his journey after signing a minor-league deal in 1999; before making his NHL debut on November 22, 2000. From that moment on, he has gone on to officiate about 1500 games which he reached in January of 2025. He has also blown the whistle for 7 Stanley Cup Finals, an impressive feat by refereeing standards. Due to this longstanding performance, he also earns in the ballpark of $300,000 – 482,000.
His steady ascent from minor leagues to the NHL, plus his assignments to marquee events like the Winter Classic also points to the fact that he’s a top level performer. In an interview with USAHockey, he said he only started to earn extra income stating: “If I reffed a couple nights … I can easily make about 40 bucks … Whereas if I went and bagged groceries … I’d have to work eight hours just to make the same amount.”
3. Wes McCauley
The journey for Wes McCauley to reach the peak of NHL refereeing isn’t a regular one. The Ontario born official didn’t start his career in the minor, but rather on the field itself. After years as a professional player, McCauley got into Hockey officiating in 2003, but handled his first NHL match in 2005. And for the past 20 years, he’s earned a reputation among Canadians as being a no-nonsense and energetic guy. As Rangers forward Chris Kreider said: “You always know what to expect with Wes. He explains things clearly, keeps control of the game, and lets the players play. That’s why he’s so respected.”
After officiating about 11 Stanley Cup Finals and 1360 league games, he has earned his place as a top earner. He also sits at the $482,000 range.
4. Dan O’Rourke
Dan O’Rourke is another professional hockey player that transitioned into the officiating role and has built a solid foundation for himself. The Calgary born referee began his career in 1999 where he shuttled between refereeing in the American Hockey League and the NHL. However in the 2005/6 season, he became a full time NHL referee with the uniform number 9. Since then he has officiated 1329 regular season games and 202 playoff matches. He also falls in the top earners category after being a referee for over 16 years.
Other top earners include:
- Chris Lee
- Ian Walsh
- Kevin Pollock
- Eric Furlatt
What Drives Their High Earnings
- Experience & Seniority: The NHL’s collective bargaining agreement sets a pay range from around $220,000 for the new refs while most long serving refs with 16+ years of experience earn up to $482,000.
- Playoff Bonuses: The playoffs are also another way these referees get to boost their earnings during the end of the regular season. And for each match officiated, they reportedly receive about $27,000.
- Big-Game Assignments: For the referees who work Stanley Cup Finals, All-Star Games, and other marquee events, they most often fall within the highest pay bracket. This is as a result of their experience and longevity.
Conclusion
To conclude, we have looked at a general rule on how much refs make in the NHL and better understand how the payment is structured. However, it’s best to note that how much they earn would vary based on factors such as playoff games and cup finals that they officiate.
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