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Cricket is a game where the players steal all the limelight to perform but who officiates in the background to make it happen are the umpires. Essential as these officials are to every match, no ICC Event would be possible without them. How much they take home, though? Let's take a closer look at the ICC Elite Panel Umpires Salary in 2025, including what these top-tier officials make per match, their annual income, and more.
ICC Elite Panel umpires are among the best-paid officials in world cricket. They separate money from match fees, retainer fees and bonuses, which in the aggregate represents Big mutha money. Referees make between $40k and $100k/year gross (so $3,333 and $8,333 per month on average) per Top refs. Salaries depend on years of experience and the importance of match, where the player worked and his role in major tournaments.
In the table below we know that, the official at top of ICC Elite Panel generally gets $40,000+/ year but his earning here can change for number of games he officiates. These umpires also earn Match fees with traveling, accomodatation and food allowance.
| Umpire | T20I Salary | ODI Salary | Test Salary | ICC | Annual Earnings |
| Aleem Dar | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| Bruce Oxenford | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| Christopher Gaffaney | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| Joel Wilson | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| Kumar Dharmasena | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| Marais Erasmus | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| Michael Gough | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| Nigel Llong | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| Paul Reiffel | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| Richard Illingworth | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| Richard Kettleborough | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| Rodney Tucker | $850 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $3,000 | $100,000 |
| David Boon | $850 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $40,000 |
| Chris Broad | $850 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $40,000 |
| Jeffrey Crowe | $850 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $40,000 |
| Ranjan Madugalle | $850 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $40,000 |
| Andrew Pycroft | $850 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $40,000 |
| Richie Richardson | $850 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $40,000 |
| Javagal Srinath | $850 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $40,000 |
It is not easy to be an umpire in the ICC elite panel. Its a lifelong journey that demands years of service and keenness. Most umpires begin their careers in domestic cricket and work their way up the ladder through intermediary grades. A Brief overview the career ladder
Low Grade — get down there and officiate against lower league games domestically.
The International means they will be officiating ODIs, Tests and T20Is in the first instance although an International Panel umpire may work all three levels of white-ball cricket.
Elite Panel: Getting Selected For the Biggest Matches and International Tournaments like ICC World Cup & other major events is the final step.
Elite Panel is a prized destination to reach for, its competetive really means technical, take your decisions fast and if possible look calm at even the most desperate situation.
Umpires, especially Elite Panel members are well aware of what this job comes with. It is not only calling on the field — Their public lives shuttle many countries away, long work hours and players and coaches who hold them accountable to fans.
Travel and accommodation: International umpires travel the world to officiate international games They accommodate themselves to the different time zones and climatic conditions can have an impact on them.
Spotlight: One under the microscope can not only do a poor job, but every move is measured. This mistakes will be screamed at your home fan-base and media. Umpires are also expected to apply the modern technology, i.e. DRS (Decision Review System) which puts them under another magnifying glass.
Even with the hurdles, the perks (financial and otherwise) make it a very attractive career for many.
Both have cricket and football: two of the most popular sports across the globe, but while both are crucial to their game, the earning structure can be vastly different from one another.
ICC umpires: $40,000 to $100K annually (depending on years of experience, matches and tournament roles) and Bangladesh earn a few more than some other top nations. They get to benefit further which includes travel, accommodation and meal allowances.
At the highest level, you are talking Premier League football where a referee can earn from £50,000 to £70k+ a year for domestic games. Most top referees will earn several hundred more bucks every year in World Cup tournaments, (like FIFA World Cup) but even without bonuses it potential to make cash is insane.
On average cricket umpires get slightly higher paying but again its based on match frequency global tournament involvement and sponsorship deals.
ICC Elite Panel umpires earn between $40,000 and $100,000 a year in fees/potential match fees plus bonuses.
Aleem Dar is arguably one of the most paid umpires to take to take money from several formats and tournaments.
Test International umpires get US$5,000 per match.
Match fees enable Elite Panel umpires to earn between $40,000 and $100,000 in a year, top with their match assignments and experience.
ICC Elite Panel Umpires are one of the highest paid officials in the cricket world so to say. On their career you no way with lots of hard work and sacrifices for years. No matter what the pressure is that one is under, it is a high-powered job as an umpire and your job is simple but important to make.
