The Below Deck Franchise Cast's Insight on Salaries Over the Years
Discover what the 'Below Deck' cast members have revealed about their salaries over the years From Laura Bileskalne to Kelley Johnson, get the inside scoop on how much they earn while working on yachts and documenting their experiences
Have the cast members of the Below Deck franchise been making a fortune? In terms of their earnings, the cast has remained secretive, revealing only occasional snippets.
Since its launch in 2013, the popular Bravo series has produced multiple spinoffs and delves into the lives of crew members living and working on luxurious yachts during charter season. The cast members receive income from their work on the boats, as well as additional tips from the guests and their participation in the reality series.
Eddie Lucas caused a stir in May 2022 by announcing that he would not be returning for the tenth season of Below Deck. In an interview with the New York Post, the first officer revealed that he had not been invited back for another season and had not even received a phone call informing him that someone else had been hired in his place. This situation highlights the disposable nature of the production and the cast members on Below Deck.
The Maryland native acknowledged the challenges of working on deck and filming simultaneously, and expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that someone else is profiting from the show, not the cast members. Despite Below Deck's immense popularity on Bravo, they are the least financially compensated members of the cast. This Bravo personality found it difficult to understand why their hard work was not reflected in their paycheck. Although they earn more than a typical yachtie, it is frustrating that the Housewives, who do not put in the same level of effort, are making significantly more money just by going out to dinner and arguing.
Several former stars from the Below Deck franchise expressed their thoughts on Lucas' quotes after they were reposted by a fan page on Instagram. Jessica More, who appeared on Below Deck Mediterranean, agreed with his statements by saying, "I see all the facts." Additionally, Dani Soares, a stewardess from Below Deck Sailing Yacht, chimed in as well.
Ciara Duggan, a cast member from season 1 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, agrees with Lucas's assessment that the cast has not been paid enough. Tiffany Copeland, another alum, adds that it would be nice to receive residuals when the show is aired again.
Jill Goslicky, an executive producer on Below Deck Sailing Yacht, has previously explained that the crew members receive payment from various sources. In March 2021, Goslicky stated on Reddit, "They receive a salary for their work on the yacht, they keep their tips, and they also receive a production fee."
Scroll down to read what the Below Deck cast has revealed about their earnings throughout the years.
Credit: Bravo (3)
Everything the 'Below Deck' Franchise Cast Has Said About Their Salaries Through the Years
Bringing in the big bucks? Over the years, the Below Deck franchise cast has played coy about their earnings — only offering small glimpses about the money they bring home.
The popular Bravo series, launched in 2013 with numerous spinoffs, chronicles the lives of crew members residing and operating on luxurious super yachts throughout the charter season. The cast members earn their income from both their work on the boat and the additional tips received from guests, along with their participation in the reality show.
In May 2022, Eddie Lucas stirred up discussion regarding paychecks by announcing his departure from Below Deck's upcoming tenth season, following his appearances in six previous seasons.
In May 2022, the first officer revealed to the New York Post that he was not invited back for another season. Surprisingly, he didn't even receive a phone call informing him that they hired someone else, which speaks to the nature of the production. He emphasized that everyone on Below Deck is considered replaceable.
Additionally, the officer addressed the challenges of working on deck while being filmed. He pointed out that although someone is profiting from the show, it certainly isn't the cast members. Despite Below Deck's immense popularity on Bravo, they are the least compensated members of the cast.
The Bravo personality found it challenging to understand why his earnings did not reflect the significant effort he invested in each season. "Although yachties like us do earn better pay compared to regular workers, it is still frustrating that we are not making as much as people like the Housewives who are not really working – they just go out to dinner and argue," he expressed.
After Lucas' quotes were reposted on Instagram by a fan page dedicated to Below Deck, a number of former cast members from the franchise shared their thoughts on the revelation. Jessica More, who appeared on Below Deck Mediterranean, responded by acknowledging the validity of his statements, saying, "Yep, I see all the facts in his statements." Similarly, Dani Soares, a former stew from Below Deck Sailing Yacht, expressed her thoughts on the matter but did not provide further details.
Ciara Duggan, a former cast member of Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 1, supported Lucas' statement about the cast's payment. Tiffany Copeland, another alum, commented, "It would be nice to receive residuals when reruns are aired!"
Executive producer Jill Goslicky, who works on Below Deck Sailing Yacht, explained that the crew members receive their payment from multiple sources. In a Reddit post from March 2021, Goslicky wrote, "They receive a salary as part of the yacht crew, they keep their tips, and they also receive a production fee."
Scroll down to read what the Below Deck cast has revealed about their earnings throughout the years.
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Credit: Bravo
Laura Bileskalne
In November 2023, while appearing on the "Miss Understood" podcast, Bileskalne mentioned that the crew earned a minimal amount of money in addition to tips, which she emphasized was not equivalent to their salaries.
Credit: Laurent Basset/Bravo
Dani Soares
"During the month of July 2022, the Below Deck Sailing Yacht alum expressed their dissatisfaction in the comments section of an Instagram fan page, stating that they earn less than the amount Southern Charm makes in just one episode, even when considering tips received throughout the entire season."
Credit: Laurent Basset/Bravo
Captain Sandy
Captain Sandy responded to Eddie's comments about the salary of the Below Deck cast, expressing a different perspective. In July 2022, the captain mentioned that negotiation is an art and it requires skill. She emphasized that there is no favoritism involved and that budgets determine the reality of the situation. If their pay was lower than others, Captain Sandy admitted she didn't have much to say about it. She stated that her passion for the job is the driving force, and money can come in alternative forms.
Credit: Laurent Basset/Bravo
Ashley Marti
In June 2022, the season 3 stew tweeted her gratitude to @BravoWWHL for the tremendous amount of publicity they provided. She expressed her delight in waking up to the realization that she had earned more money in just a few hours than she had been paid by #Bravo for the entire span of six weeks. This tweet came shortly after her absence from the reunion.
Credit: Laurent Basset/Bravo
Glenn Shephard
"When it comes to salaries, I find them to be quite normal. I have no issues with the amount of money we earn," the star of Below Deck Sailing Yacht exclusively shared with We in May 2022. "Our tips are usually very good, regardless of whether there are cameras around or not. However, I must say that during the show, the tips may be even slightly better. So, I have absolutely no complaints about the financial aspect."
Credit: Laurent Bassett/Bravo
Eddie Lucas
Questioning the income he earned after participating in six seasons of Below Deck, the former bosun expressed his frustration in May 2022. He emphasized that although the show remains highly popular on Bravo, the cast members, including himself, are the least compensated.
Credit: Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo
Kate Chastain
In October 2019, the former chef stew offered some insight about how tips factor into a successful paycheck for the crew.
“On a yacht of that size, a good tip would be $5,000 per person for a week's worth of work,” the Florida native explained during an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “Usually, each crew member receives five grand. However, since our charters are slightly shorter to accommodate the show, everything else remains the same. Therefore, the tip is prorated, and we typically receive around $2,000 to $2,500. Anything below $1,000 would be quite disheartening, which may sound unbelievable, don't you think?”
Credit: Laurent Bassett/Bravo
Captain Lee
Captain Lee mentioned in a 2021 interview with Bravo Insider that the crew has observed an increase in tips since the show first premiered. "I'm unsure about the exact cause, but I sincerely hope it doesn't cease," he commented at the moment, alluding to some "excellent ones" in season 8. "And I'm immensely thankful for it."
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Hannah Ferrier
The ex-Below Deck Med star, who established her own yachting training academy, has previously affirmed that the show's cast members earn more than they typically would.
In a tweet from January 2021, she stated, "A Below Deck season lasts 6 weeks and filming for Below Deck is an entirely different job!" The Australian native provided a breakdown of the expenses, revealing that a chief stew position on a 40-meter yacht costs over $6,000 per month, which amounts to over $70,000 annually.
Credit: Courtesy of Rhylee Gerber/Instagram
Rhylee Gerber
The deckhand revealed that working on super yachts while filming Below Deck allowed her to spend a few months traveling the country.
Gerber, the former reality star, revealed that despite leading a frugal and minimalist lifestyle, he managed to make the most out of his two-month stint on Below Deck [season 6] aboard My Seanna. Additionally, he mentioned that during his 60 days of work in Alaska, he was able to cover his expenses. In an amusing manner, Gerber added that boat owners are even willing to pay for any requested items, citing an example of them gladly covering the cost of a $60 face cream.
In July 2022, Rhylee addressed Eddie's statements regarding the cast's salary. On the "Pop-Off!" podcast, she expressed her disbelief at the fact that we are paid significantly less than the Housewives, considering Bravo is a major network backed by a renowned production company. Rhylee also pointed out that Below Deck frequently changes its cast members each season, possibly contributing to the difference in income.
Credit: Courtesy of Colin Macy-O’Toole/Instagram
Colin Macy-O’Toole
During an interview with Showbiz Cheat Sheet in 2021, the Below Deck Med alum admitted that yachting changed his outlook on making money.
“I would likely commence my career immediately after college, at the ripe age of 22, and dedicate approximately five years to working on luxury yachts,” he mentioned. “With careful consideration of your location, it may even be plausible to accumulate sufficient funds to acquire a property.”
Credit: Virginia Sherwood/Bravo
Kelley Johnson
The bosun, after participating in multiple seasons of Below Deck, revealed that the financial compensation did not justify the onscreen exposure. Despite being invited to return for another season, Johnson explained to Showbiz Cheat Sheet in January 2021 that the monetary aspect and the stress endured were significant factors. The payment provided to crew members did not adequately compensate for the duration of their involvement with the show, which entailed six weeks of filming and several months leading up to its airing.
