Crab fishing is not a job for the weak. But for those willing to take on the risk – like the cast of Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch – the payoff can be substantial. Captains of Alaskan fishing boats can make good money , with Jake Anderson once sharing that he grossed more than $2 million from just 11 days of fishing.
But what about the deckhands who work under them? How much does the average fisherman earn? Salaries for people who work in commercial fishing can vary widely. A deckhand’s earnings will usually be based on each boat’s total catch, which can be unpredictable from season to season. The median annual wage for fishing and hunting workers is $28,530, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics .
‘Deadliest Catch’ deckhands can earn as much as $50,000 per season While the median wage for fishermen is not high, there is potential to earn substantial sums of money in a short amount of time. “For crab seasons, deckhands can typically make anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 for a couple months of work,” Deadliest Catch cast member Kenny Ripka told People (via YouTube ) in 2016. “My guys this year, I think for 6 weeks, they made $30,000,” Gary Ripka added.
For captains, the potential earnings are significantly higher. Kenny said there were years when he made $150,000 or more in a season. Some deckhands earn a daily rate rather than a percentage of catch People working as part of the crew on a fishing vessel are not subject to minimum wag.
