I’ve watchedDeadliest Catchon and off for a few years, and on more than one occasion I’ve said to myself, “The money has to be worth it, right?” After all, the fishermen on the show are dealing with raging elements, heavy steel pots that could crush you if they swing the wrong way, and theseemingly endless fury of the sea. But plenty of fishermen, includingSig HansenandKeith Colburn, have dedicated their lives to fishing — despite the fact that many of the same fans who watch them risk their lives claimthe danger they face is fake. While the fishermen’s hauls usually depend on the quota they haul in,they do get paid a surprising amountfor being onDeadliest Catch,and the same applies to other members of the fishing crew, depending on what position they hold.
Deckhands’ Payments on ‘Deadliest Catch’ Depend on the Quota, or Even the Hours
Besides the captains, the crew ofDeadliest Catch’s fishing vessels are composed of “deckhands”, or fishermen who perform duties that range from preparing the crab pots to making sure the ship is seaworthy. The average salary for this work is usually $28,530,but deckhands who work onDeadliest Catchpull in far bigger paydays. CaptainKenny Ripkaand his brother Gary revealed that the deckhands who worked for them were pulling in some serious paydays when discussing their spinoff seriesDeadliest Catch: Dungeon CovewithPeoplemagazine.
“For crab seasons, deckhands can typically make anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 for a couple months of work,” Kenny said, while Gary added that his deckhands made $30,000 each with as little as six weeks' worth of work! But deckhands' payouts often depend on certain factors. For some, they’re paid a daily rate. For others, they can take in up to 10% of a catch,according to the Alaska Department of Labor.
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There’s also the matter of “greenhorns” — the newest hires on a fishing vessel.Greenhorns usually take in half the pay of a seasoned deckhand, mainly due to the fact that some of them usually only last a season or two.Deadliest Catcheven dedicated its very first episode, which was appropriately titled “Greenhorns”, to showcasing how new hires adapt to the harsh conditions of crab fishing. One greenhorn ends up throwing up all over the deck of a ship, while another works to earn the right to speak to famed CaptainSig Hansen. From the jump, viewers are thrown into the dangers thatDeadliest Catch’s crew would face over and over again, and the dedication it takes to stick with this career. Some greenhorns even work their way up to a better position on the ship over time, meaning that their payouts get significantly better. But if there’s anyone who’s getting the best edge in the deal, it’s the captains.
‘Deadliest Catch’s Captains Have Pulled In A Hefty Haul of Cash Over The Years
It turns out that captaining a fishing vessel, especially one that appears onDeadliestCatch, pays pretty well. CaptainJake Andersonsaid that he was “living the American dream” in a 2018 interview with Fox. “There I was, a bum on the street, and now 14 years later…I’m managing a multi-million-dollar company.I think I grossed $2.5 million in 11 days.” These payouts are usually a combination of the monetary value of a captain’s haul, and the paydays they get for appearing on an episode ofDeadliest Catch. While the episode numbers haven’t been revealed, the range is estimated to be in the tens of thousands — meaning that if you’re lucky, you may get a really good payday. If you’re unlucky though, you can lose out on money. “One mistake can be tens of thousands of dollars, and you can never catch up,” Kenny Ripka warned in his interview. ButDeadliest Catchhas paid off for one person in particular. Due to his long tenure on the show, not to mention headlining spinoff seriesDeadliest Catch: The Viking Returns,Hansen is worth roughly $4 billion, making him the richest captaininDeadliest Catch’s history. If you’re willing to put up with the deadly conditions, the raging waters, or even the constant smell of fish, then being onDeadliest Catchwill pay off in more ways than one.
Deadliest Catchis currently streaming on Netflix.
Deadliest Catch
