Unveiling Below Deck's Big Secret: How Much Do They REALLY Make?

Author anthony Saturday, 02 August 2025

The Base Salary: A Look at the Hierarchy
Tips: The Wild Card in Yacht Crew Earnings
Beyond the Paycheck: Additional Income and Career Trajectory

The Base Salary: A Look at the Hierarchy

Moving down the hierarchy, the chief stew, second stew, and other interior crew members earn less. Estimates for these positions range from $40,000 to $60,000 per season, with variations dependent on experience and the demands of the charter season. The exterior crew—deckhands—typically receive salaries on the lower end of the spectrum, sometimes starting as low as $30,000 but potentially reaching $50,000 for experienced individuals. These figures are all estimates based on reported information and should be viewed as approximations rather than definitive amounts. The lack of transparency from the show itself makes obtaining exact figures challenging.

Furthermore, the duration of the season plays a critical role. The show typically films for several months, and the salaries quoted above represent the earnings for the entire filming period, not an hourly or weekly rate. This means that while the total earnings might seem impressive, the actual income per month is less than what some might initially assume.

Factors Influencing Base Pay

Several other factors beyond position and experience significantly influence a crew member's base salary. The size and luxury of the yacht directly correlate to the compensation. A larger, more opulent vessel with a higher charter fee naturally allows for greater crew compensation. Additionally, the location of the charter season affects the salaries. Destinations with higher living costs, such as the Mediterranean, might yield higher salaries to compensate for increased expenses.

Tips: The Wild Card in Yacht Crew Earnings

"Tips are completely unpredictable," commented a former Below Deck crew member (who wished to remain anonymous). "You could have a charter season with incredible tips that more than double your salary, or you could have a slow season where you barely break even on the tips." This unpredictable nature of tip-based earnings makes forecasting annual income a near-impossible task. The show occasionally hints at large tips, often showing the crew celebrating with champagne after receiving a generous gratuity, but the precise amounts remain undisclosed.