Not only does the crew on Below Deck get paid for their designated job, but they also receive a fee for appearing in the reality series. The franchise features long-time and new crew members eager to make a name for themselves in the yachting industry. Those who join Below Deck use the platform to help advance their careers by appearing on TV. While the work on a superyacht might seem hard, the cast’s compensation makes it all worth it.
The popular Bravo reality series Below Deck hit viewers’ TV screens for the first time in 2013. Since then, the show has garnered quite a large following, with the binge-worthy series Below Deck as one of the highest-rated shows on Bravo. After being on for so many years, there are questions regarding how much the cast makes, both for being part of the show and for their regular crew duties. For only working four months out of the year, the cast creates an impressive salary that would have anyone convinced yachting is a good career choice.
The Below Deck Crew Makes A Salary & An Appearance Fee
According to Refinery29, the cast of Below Deck makes quite a hefty salary for simply doing their superyacht job. For example, on a yacht the size of the My Seanna from Below Deck, a second and third steward makes about $5,000 monthly, while a chief steward brings in around $5,500 to $6,000 monthly. The chef makes about $7,000-$10,000 a month, depending on experience and training. The deckhands usually make around $3,500-$4,500 a month, while a bosun would make a little more at approximately $5,000 monthly.
The Below Deck Crew Also Brings In Tips
At the end of every charter, the whole crew even receives tips from the guests on top of their salaries. On Below Deck, the crew usually brings in around $15,000 per person in tips for about six weeks of work. Plus, the team does not work a whole yacht season, so they likely make more as they move from boat to boat. The Captain usually makes between $150,000 to $210,000 a year working on a 185-foot superyacht, assuming the Captain is working full-time. Additionally, the Captain can make up to $100,000 on top of the salary they are getting if they charter their yacht for the entire year.
On top of the money they make working on the yacht, the crew also gets a small fee for appearing on Below Deck. While the exact number is unknown, it is assumed to be at least a few thousand dollars per episode. Plus, most of the crew’s food is paid for on the boat, and they get a van to drive them to dinner once their charter season is complete. They also don’t have to worry about paying for accommodations.
Since Bravo has created such a cult following in the past few years, many doors open for the cast members they hire. Now, crew members from any Below Deck series can make appearances for a small fee and profit from their fame on social media. In short, it pays to work on a yacht and to appear on a reality TV show.
Sources: Refinery29
