Thus, NFL referees earn between approximately $2,100 and $7,500 per game. According to TheRichest.org, NBA referees earn an average salary between $100,000 and $300,000 annually as of 2011. Since NBA referees are full-time referees and work 82 games during the regular season, they earn approximately $3,300 per game.eferees work a total of 162 games. As such their per-game salary ranges between approximately $500 and $1,800 per game. Additionally, they receive four weeks of paid vacation, hotel accommodations and first-class air tickets.