If you’ve ever watched Below Deck, Below Deck Mediterranean, Below Deck Sailing Yacht, or Below Deck Down Under, you’ve probably found yourself asking one question:
How much do the Below Deck crew actually get paid?
Between the luxury yachts, exotic destinations, dramatic guests, and jaw-dropping tip meetings, it can seem like the crew are earning a small fortune while travelling the world.
The truth is that many yacht crew members earn impressive salaries before tips are even factored in. Once charter tips are included, some crew members can walk away with thousands of euros from a single charter season.
So, let’s dive into the real numbers.
What Is Below Deck?
For those somehow unfamiliar with Bravo’s addictive reality TV franchise, Below Deck follows the lives of crew members working aboard luxury superyachts.
The cameras capture everything from demanding charter guests and complicated romances to late-night crew drama and breathtaking destinations.
If you’re a fan of reality TV, you might also enjoy reading about how much reality TV stars really earn or checking out our guide to how much the Below Deck crew get paid.
Do Below Deck Crew Get Paid by Bravo?
Yes.
Crew members receive their normal yacht salary from the yacht owner or management company.
On top of this, they are also paid for appearing on the television show.
While Bravo has never officially revealed exact figures, reports suggest cast members receive an additional appearance fee for participating in the series.
For returning stars such as Captain Sandy, Captain Jason, Daisy Kelliher, and previously Captain Lee Rosbach, those appearance fees are believed to be significantly higher.
How Much Does a Below Deck Captain Earn?
The captain is usually the highest-paid crew member on board.
Typical salary:
- €7,000 to €18,000+ per month
- Annual earnings can exceed €200,000 on larger vessels
Captains are responsible for:
- Navigation
- Safety
- Crew management
- Charter operations
- Guest satisfaction
No pressure, then.
Whether it’s Captain Sandy Yawn, Captain Glenn Shephard, or Captain Jason Chambers, they’re ultimately responsible for everything that happens on board.
How Much Do Chief Stews Get Paid?
Chief Stews have one of the toughest jobs on the yacht.
They’re expected to manage:
- Guest services
- Housekeeping
- Interior crew
- Theme nights
- Luxury dining experiences
Typical salary:
- €4,000 to €7,000 per month
Fan favourites such as Daisy Kelliher, Hannah Ferrier, and Aesha Scott have all demonstrated just how demanding the role can be.
How Much Do Stewardesses Earn?
The second and third stews usually earn slightly less than the Chief Stew but can still make excellent money.
Typical salary:
- €2,500 to €5,000 per month
Responsibilities include:
- Cleaning guest cabins
- Laundry
- Table service
- Cocktail preparation
- Guest requests
Considering some guests expect champagne delivered at 3am, they definitely earn every cent.
How Much Do Deckhands Earn?
Deckhands are responsible for maintaining the exterior of the yacht.
Tasks include:
- Cleaning decks
- Launching water toys
- Assisting with docking
- Guest activities
- Safety procedures
Typical salary:
- €2,500 to €4,500 per month
Many crew members begin their yachting careers as deckhands before working their way up to Bosun or First Officer positions.
How Much Does a Bosun Earn?
The Bosun acts as the team leader of the deck crew.
Typical salary:
- €4,000 to €6,500 per month
The role involves:
- Managing deckhands
- Planning maintenance
- Supervising operations
- Reporting directly to the captain
As viewers have seen over the years, being Bosun often comes with plenty of responsibility and even more drama.
How Much Does the Chef Earn?
The chef often has the most stressful job on the yacht.
Guests expect five-star dining experiences while making increasingly ridiculous requests.
One guest wants vegan sushi.
Another wants a seven-course tasting menu.
A third wants truffle-covered pancakes at midnight.
Typical chef salary:
- €5,000 to €10,000+ per month
Experienced yacht chefs working on larger vessels can earn substantially more.
What About the Tips?
This is where things become really interesting.
The tip meeting at the end of each charter is one of the most anticipated moments on Below Deck.
Tips are usually divided equally among crew members.
Recent charters have produced tip amounts ranging from:
- €1,500 to €4,000+ per crew member per charter
Some particularly generous guests have left significantly larger amounts.
Over an entire season, tips can add tens of thousands of euros to a crew member’s earnings.
Do Crew Get Free Accommodation?
Yes.
One of the biggest perks of working in yachting is that many major living expenses are covered.
Benefits often include:
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Uniforms
- Travel arrangements
- Training opportunities
This means crew members can potentially save a large portion of their salary compared to traditional land-based jobs.
Is Working on a Yacht Worth It?
Financially, it can be extremely rewarding.
However, the job isn’t quite as glamorous as television sometimes makes it appear.
Crew members regularly work:
- Long hours
- Consecutive days without breaks
- High-pressure guest environments
- Physically demanding tasks
For every sunset cocktail shown on screen, there are countless hours spent cleaning cabins, scrubbing decks, and dealing with demanding charter guests.
The Final Verdict
So, how much do the Below Deck crew really get paid?
Depending on their role, most crew members can expect salaries ranging from around €2,500 per month for junior positions to well over €18,000 per month for experienced captains.
When charter tips are added on top, it’s easy to see why so many people dream of working in the luxury yachting industry.
Of course, after watching a few seasons of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Below Deck Mediterranean, and Below Deck Down Under, you might decide the money isn’t quite enough to deal with the drama.
Still, if someone offered us a luxury yacht, a Mediterranean sunset, and a few thousand euros in tips, we’d probably be tempted.
