Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
Medium60.38%
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$22,950
Median$35,820
High (90th %)$63,410
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Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees, and competition judges.
The automation risk for the occupation "Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials" is estimated at 60.4%, closely aligning with its base risk of 60.9%. This moderately high risk is due to the structured nature of many core officiating tasks, which can be replicated by automated systems and computer vision technologies. For example, the most automatable tasks include officiating at sporting events to ensure rules are observed, inspecting game sites for compliance with safety regulations, and resolving rule infractions or participant complaints according to set guidelines. Each of these responsibilities relies heavily on objective rule application, pattern recognition, and routine monitoring—areas where automation technologies such as sensors, cameras, and AI rule-processing algorithms excel. Despite this, there are several essential functions within the role that are notably resistant to automation. Tasks like researching and studying players and teams to anticipate issues require nuanced judgment, contextual understanding, and the ability to interpret complex social dynamics—skills that remain challenging for machines. Additionally, directing participants to assigned areas and keeping precise track of event timing, especially in unpredictable or high-pressure scenarios, involve subtle communication and real-time adaptability. These tasks illustrate the value of human presence when context-specific decision-making and instant, situational awareness are needed, limiting automation’s effectiveness. The primary bottleneck skills deterring full automation in this field are originality, with very low measured levels of 1.9% and 1.8%. Originality here refers to the ability to devise novel solutions in ambiguous situations, a trait especially critical in fast-paced sports environments where unexpected events or disputes can occur. While technology can handle repetitive, rule-based functions, it currently struggles to match the creative problem-solving and unique insights that experienced sports officials bring. As a result, even with advancements in automation, the nuanced, human-centric aspects of sports officiating act as a significant barrier to complete replacement by machines.
Filter by Automatable Status
Officiate at sporting events, games, or competitions, to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed.
Non-Automatable
Inspect game sites for compliance with regulations or safety requirements.
Partially Automatable
Resolve claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assess any necessary penalties, according to regulations.
Partially Automatable
Signal participants or other officials to make them aware of infractions or to otherwise regulate play or competition.
Partially Automatable
Teach and explain the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
Automatable
Inspect sporting equipment or examine participants to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations.
Partially Automatable
Report to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed, such as fines or other disciplinary actions.
Partially Automatable
Confer with other sporting officials, coaches, players, and facility managers to provide information, coordinate activities, and discuss problems.
Partially Automatable
Judge performances in sporting competitions to award points, impose scoring penalties, and determine results.
Partially Automatable
Verify scoring calculations before competition winners are announced.
Automatable
Start races and competitions.
Automatable
Compile scores and other athletic records.
Automatable
Keep track of event times, including race times and elapsed time during game segments, starting or stopping play when necessary.
Automatable
Direct participants to assigned areas, such as starting blocks or penalty areas.
Partially Automatable
Research and study players and teams to anticipate issues that might arise in future engagements.
Partially Automatable
Verify credentials of participants in sporting events, and make other qualifying determinations, such as starting order or handicap number.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningLearning StrategiesMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyFine ArtsDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and Theology
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationProcessing InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
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Training and Development Managers
Medium49.05%
Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
Medium42.14%
Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.
Compliance Officers
Medium53.94%
Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Medium51.43%
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
Training and Development Specialists
Medium50.29%
Design or conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual skills or organizational performance. May analyze organizational training needs or evaluate training effectiveness.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Low21.10%
Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.
Self-Enrichment Teachers
Medium43.48%
Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.
Athletes and Sports Competitors
Low16.42%
Compete in athletic events.
Coaches and Scouts
Medium42.67%
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes' strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes' technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching certifications should be reported in the appropriate teaching category.
Athletic Trainers
Low32.10%
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Medium36.93%
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Medium40.17%
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.
Bailiffs
Low23.14%
Maintain order in courts of law.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Low27.10%
Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services
Medium53.95%
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of entertainment and recreation related workers.
Animal Trainers
Low22.96%
Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners
Medium64.67%
Post information enabling patrons to wager on various races and sporting events. Assist in the operation of games such as keno and bingo. May operate random number-generating equipment and announce the numbers for patrons. Receive, verify, and record patrons' wagers. Scan and process winning tickets presented by patrons and pay out winnings for those wagers.
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Medium56.78%
Perform a variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility. May schedule use of recreation facilities, maintain and provide equipment to participants of sporting events or recreational pursuits, or operate amusement concessions and rides.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Medium41.02%
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise.
Recreation Workers
Medium37.90%
Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.
Gambling Managers
High66.16%
Plan, direct, or coordinate gambling operations in a casino. May formulate house rules.
Gambling Dealers
Medium61.31%
Operate table games. Stand or sit behind table and operate games of chance by dispensing the appropriate number of cards or blocks to players, or operating other gambling equipment. Distribute winnings or collect players' money or chips. May compare the house's hand against players' hands.