It’s one of the top-rated reality TV series on Bravo, so we were admittedly shocked to see how comparatively small the Below Deck cast salaries were to their network compatriots. They’ve also claimed they were subjected to racist comments during filming.
Below Deck is a reality television series that follows the lives of the crew members working on luxury yachts during charter seasons. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and dynamics of working in the yachting industry, including interactions with demanding charter guests and the personal relationships among the crew. In addition to the original Below Deck which premiered in 2013, there are spinoffs like Below Deck Mediterranean in 2015, Below Deck Sailing Yacht in 2020, and Below Deck Down Under in 2022.
“This show, which back then was different than other Bravo shows, brought in that “co-viewing” audience of females and males, which is huge. Bravo is a female-dominated network and having a show that brings in co-viewing, not even just across sexes, but across ages, as well, was not something to take lightly,” executive producer Nadine Rajabi told The Dipp in 2022.
She also explained what a typical day looks like on the boat in the lead-up to and during filming. “We are actually on the boat and we have a 24-hours-a-day shoot schedule. We split the team up in 12-hour shifts, morning and night shifts, so we have access to the cast at all times. When you’re not on shift, you take the water taxi back to the production crew’s hotel nearby, where we exchange notes with those on the other shift, to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.” It’s hard work, no doubt, which is why we were shocked to hear about the Below Deck cast salaries and how little they get paid.
Below Deck cast salaries
According to a report by Business Insider, the Below Deck cast salaries fall somewhere between $5,000 and $6,000 a month—that’s $60,000 to $72,000 a year, which is about what the average American earns (according to Forbes, the average salary in the United States in 2023 was $59,428). Salaries are based on their position on the yacht, as captains can earn nearly triple that amount.
Image: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo via Getty ImagesImage: Fred Jagueneau/Bravo via Getty Images
It’s in stark contrast to other Bravo personalities. The Real Housewives franchises can make up to $1 million per season, while some Southern Charm stars reportedly make $25,000 an episode. Ashley Marti, who appeared as a stewardess on Season 3 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht in 2022, said the pay discrepancy was unfair. “We’re on TV, but technically we’re the help,” she said. “We don’t get the same treatment.”
In another shocking claim, Gabriela Barragán, who appeared in the same season of the spinoff, alleged a producer—nicknamed “M&M” for master manipulator—encouraged her to drink alcohol despite her history of substance abuse. Bravo told Business Insider that they “take allegations of misconduct on our shows seriously and review all claims that are brought to our attention.”
The network added that it has enhanced its production policies, which include “stricter guidelines on alcohol consumption and direction on when to intervene to maintain safety of cast and crew, increased psychological support, enhanced workplace trainings, and a requirement to provide cast and crew with a direct line to NBCUniversal to raise concerns.”
In 2020, former cast member Kate Chastain—well-known and beloved for her role as Chief Stew in six seasons of the show—tweeted about some of the rules the Below Deck crew had to follow. “Going through my phone,found this fun video….I feel like everyone should know #BelowDeck is one of the most difficult shows out there for cast members.Every night, after working 16+ hours, we’d get into our tiny bunk, & have to wave to the camera so they’d turn our lights off.” When someone asked, “OMG! You can’t turn out your own lights?!?!?!” she replied: “Pretty crazy huh. Permission to close our eyes please so we can get a little bit of sleep before another 16 hour day”.
According to the New York Times, there’s very little room for privacy, too. “They’re here to share every aspect of their lives,” said Noah Samton, a senior vice president of current production for Bravo. “Those are the rules. The only place you have privacy on the boat is the bathroom.” Even bathroom use has limits; cast members are told at the beginning of a season that if two or more people enter one at the same time, a camera should be expected to follow. “Not just because of sex,” he continued. “It could be they’re having a conversation — they hate so-and-so. We need to know that.”
Below Deck Mediterranean airs on Bravo at 8pm ET.
