Well, folks might not know this, but them Major League umpires don’t work for peanuts! These folks in the black outfits and caps sure make a tidy sum, and I’m here to tell ya all about it. Now, don’t think it’s like the big-shot players with them millions, but trust me, it ain’t bad for callin’ balls and strikes all day.
First off, a rookie umpire in Major League Baseball – you know, them new ones just starting out – they start around $150,000 a year. Not too shabby, huh? Now, that’s just the beginning for these fellas, ‘cause the longer they stick around, the better they get paid. They could be lookin’ at upwards of $400,000 if they’re one of them experienced ones, maybe the kind who’s been callin’ games for 20, 30 years. Can ya believe that?
On average, they say the salary for a Major League ump these days is somewhere near $230,000 to $235,000 a year. That’s right, $230,000 just for tellin’ folks what’s a strike and what’s a ball! Back in 2000, it was only around $115,000, so it sure has come up over the years. Why, just imagine if you could double your paycheck for just stickin’ with the same job for a while!
Then there’s them special games – ya know, the big ol’ playoffs and the famous World Series. These umpires get to make extra cash during these events, too. Now, some folks say that in them seven-game series, umps are gettin’ about $2,857 a game. That might not seem like a ton on its own, but add it all up for a whole series, and you got a nice little boost to the regular season pay.
Speakin’ of pay, it’s worth mentionin’ that umps don’t get no extra cash for workin’ extra innings. That’s right – whether the game is nine innings or goes all the way to 15, they still get paid the same. You gotta be dedicated to the job, I tell ya!
But let’s not forget, even though umps don’t get the kinda money that star players do, they’re mighty important out there. They’re the ones keepin’ things fair and callin’ out them close plays, sometimes under all kinds of pressure from players and fans alike. Even though their pay might start low for rookies, with time and experience, it sure does go up pretty nice.
Oh, and if you’re wonderin’ who the top dog is – back in the day, there was Joe West, one of them big-name umpires, who retired in 2022. Folks say he was makin’ around $450,000 a year! So if you stick around and make a name for yourself, it can pay off real nice.
Here’s a quick list for folks who like it plain and simple:
- Rookie umpire salary: around $150,000 per year.
- Average MLB umpire salary: around $230,000 to $235,000 per year.
- Top veteran umpires: makin’ over $400,000 or so.
- World Series extra pay: around $2,857 per game in a seven-game series.
- No extra pay for extra innings.
So, there ya go – them umps may not get player money, but for folks who love the game and got the patience, it’s a good, steady job. Not bad for callin’ strikes and keepin’ an eye on all them players and coaches. Pays enough to keep ya comfy, that’s for sure!
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