Deadliest Catch is one of Discovery Channel’s most beloved reality TV shows. The series shows the dangerous lives of crab fishermen in the Bering Sea, braving some of the world’s deadliest waters. The fishermen on the show are paid by the network, but they also make their living fishing.
Here is a look at how much the fishermen on Deadliest Catch make in their day jobs.
What Are Rules On Deadliest Catch Fishermen?
Deadliest Catch has been airing on Discovery Challen since 2005, making it one of the network’s longest-running reality TV shows. The entire series captures the highs and lows of crab fishing in the Bering Sea while battling the harsh and deadly waters and storms.
Several factors can raise and lower the money these fishermen make while catching crabs in the Bering Sea. The money they make depends on the number of crabs they catch. There is a chance that the entire vessel could fall way short of a reasonable profit if they don’t deliver record amounts of catch.
After hard work over many years, a fisherman’s job could lead to millions of dollars. However, it depends on luck and skill to make that money; otherwise, the crews could all fall short.
There is a limit to what each vessel can catch on any trip out to sea. This is important because, without a quota limiting the totals, the vessels could catch as much as humanly possible, and that could destroy the ecosystem. It could also cause large vessels to push all the smaller vessels out of competition.
The United States government placed this quota on the ships to help control crab species’ populations. This also helped the vessels and their crews remain profitable as an industry.
How Much Do Deadliest Catch Fishermen Make?
With this in mind, it mostly levels the playing field for fishermen, including those involved with Deadleist Catch. Discovery Channel pays its top stars more than others, so it is all about things other than fishermen skills when it comes to reality TV money.
For fishing, there have been some captains who revealed their income from the industry. Gary and Kenny Ripka said they earned around $150,000 to $170,000 as captains on Deadliest Catch (via PEOPLE). The salary is different for non-captains, of course. Kenny Ripka said the regular deckhand on a ship makes between “$15,000 to $50,000 for a couple months of work.”
An Alaska Bering Sea Crabber spokesperson said, “Crewmen we surveyed said they’re making about $100,000 a year and captains twice that. That’s a lot more than a few years ago.” (via Poontoonopedia).
The most successful makes millions. Captain Jake Anderson said he grossed $2.5 million in 11 days (via Fox Business). Sid Hansen’s is reportedly $4 million.
Are you surprised at how much the Deadliest Catch fishermen make for their two to three months of work? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Shawn S. Lealos has been a freelance writer for over 25 years and is a voting member of the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle. He is also a published author with a book about the Stephen King Dollar Baby Filmmakers.