The problem is that minor league umpires are paid less per game than the average high school umpire who umpires as a hobby. They have not received a raise of any kind in nearly 10 years. That's unheard of in the professional world. They have to pay for their own transportation to their games, sometimes driving 8 hours at a clip just to sleep in their car before they step out onto the field. They're paid on avarage, depending on the league they're working, only $25.00 a day per diem.
Put their pay up against MLB umpires pay and there is a huge disparity. MiLB umpires working at the highest level AAA make only $25,000 a year while the minimum annual salary for an MLB umpire is well over $90,000, with guys like Tim McClelland and Jerry Crawford making over $350,000 per year.
I realize that on the surface that it might look life they are living the life of Brian, but that's just not the case.
Tim.