The world of cricket is very interesting, with thrilling matches and crucial decisions. This is where the third umpire shows their skills. Basically, they are the ones helping the umpires to make fair decisions through high technology. The Top 5 Highest Paid Cricket Third Umpires in 2025 earnings will surprise you.
They earn a great salary for their role in the game; their salary depends on the tournament. In other words, they get a high salary for international matches and comparatively less for local or domestic matches. They are not in front of the cameras, but their role is very important.
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Top 5 Highest Paid Cricket Third Umpires in 2025
1. Richard Kettleborough
Richard is one of the very consistent and respected umpires in the cricket world. Basically, he has been part of many crucial matches of all formats. In addition, he is the one who is often seen in crucial knockout games. Richard has built a great financial portfolio throughout his career.
He was part of the WTC Finals 2025 and even the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In other words, he is the top pick when it comes to important events. Meanwhile, Richards’ annual earnings are estimated to be between ₹1.25 to ₹1.75 crores.
2. Joel Wilson
Joel Wilson has been featuring in international matches for many years. He was part of the iconic 2025 Champions Trophy Finals as well as the WTC Finals in 2025. Joel earns around ₹1.65 crore annually under his contract with ICC. Basically, making him one of the highest-earning third umpires.
However, there are some reports that say that Joel may not join the panel for further tournaments in 2025, but no official statement has been released yet.
3. Nitin Menon
Nitin Menon is an Indian Umpire who is part of the 2025 ICC Elite Panel. He was part of the 2025 World Test Championship. In addition, he has also broken the Indian record for the most international matches as an Umpire. Nitin has also been a part of the Indian Premier League.
He earns around ₹1.10 crore from ICC contracts. Meanwhile, he gets around ₹35 lakh per season of the IPL. Nitin is one of the most trusted and accurate umpires of the time.
4. Richard Illingworth
Richard Illingworth is one of the most consistent umpires of the time. He has great experience and was part of many major finals of the ICC. In addition, he was the on-field umpire of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Finals. He is known for his quick and very strong judgment in the game.
Richard earns around ₹1.60 crores through his ICC contract. In addition, he also earns around ₹3.7 lakhs per match of the IPL, giving a push to his earnings.
5. Chris Gaffaney
Chris Gaffaney is one of the most respected and important umpires on the Panel. He’s one of he umpires who features in most IPL playoffs. In addition, he has made quite a name for himself in all the other formats too. Chris’s decisions are accurate and very quick.
Chris earns around ₹3.7 lakhs per IPL match and even some sponsorship bonuses. On the other hand, he earns around ₹1.5 crore under his ICC contract, showcasing how trusted he is.
Also Check: Top 5 Best Third Umpires in 2025: They Have Made the Greatest Impact with Technology and Decision Review
