Being a crab fisherman on Deadliest Catch is undoubtedly a dangerous gig, but sometimes it can come with a nice reward. Over the years, various stars of the show have dished on how much they make in their careers as fishermen.

“It varies year to year,” Kenny Ripka told People in 2016. “We don’t get paid a wage or a salary. We get paid on what we catch and what we deliver.”

He specified that he’s had years where he’s made “upwards of $150,000 to $170,000 a year” as a captain, adding that deckhands can usually make “anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 for a couple months of work” on a boat. Gary Ripka weighed in to reveal that in 2016, his deckhands made $30,000 for “five, six weeks” of fishing work.

Jake Anderson shared his own salary details in a 2018 interview with Fox Business, revealing that he “grossed $2.5 million in 11 days” during a good season. Josh Harris said that captains can make $2 million in just two days if the catch is good.

While raking in profits in the millions is rare, captains are likely to make hundreds of thousands in a good season. Plus, the stars of Deadliest Catch are also paid to appear on the show. The captains earn between $25,000 and $50,000 per episode, according to Monsters & Critics.

Of course, these salaries don’t come without risk. Crab fishing is a dangerous job, and several Deadliest Catch stars have suffered health and medical issues while out at sea. Plus, it’s not always a reliable industry.

“We’ve had king crab season shut down for three, sometimes four years in a row,” Sig Hansen told Channel Guide. “And when your income relies on getting that boat out there, there is no retirement plan, so to speak. You don’t know from one year to the next if you’re even going to go fishing to make a living.”

Since 2005, Deadliest Catch has taken viewers on an exhilarating journey through the high-stakes world of crabbing in Alaska. While battling the elements, chasing quotas, and facing constant danger, the show remains a high-octane thrill ride. While viewers have witnessed some heartbreaking moments on camera, not everything that rips out the soul happens on screen.

During a critical episode of Deadliest Catch’s milestone 20th season, one member of a fan-favorite’s crew passed away. While it may not have been a moment that happened out at sea, viewers were able to witness the aftermath via a phone call to his long-time friend. Captain Jake Anderson’s 20th season was already a rollercoaster of emotions, but learning of the death of his longtime engineer brought a sobering sense of reality.

Jake Anderson Learned of Tom Brossard’s Death at Sea

In the September 24, 2024 episode of Deadliest Catch, Captain Jake Anderson was hit with some devastating news. Captain Jake received a call from his wife, Jenna Anderson, that his best friend and F/V Saga engineer, Tom Brossard, had died of a sudden heart attack. Not only was it a difficult reality to face, but he had to endure this sudden heartbreak while he was away at work. With the cameras rolling, he was able to reflect on their bond together and the impact Tom had on his life as both a coworker and friend.

“Him and I rebuilt the f-ing Saga,” he shared as the show took viewers back a year as the pair worked together on his former fishing vessel. “We rebuilt the bow, we rebuilt the stern, we rebuilt the bathroom, we rebuilt the floors,” he said as tears flowed. In the flashback, Captain Jake shared how it had been a blessing that Tom taught them all to weld and fit, praising him as one of the best welders in Washington state. Back in the present, the mourning captain reflected on how he would call his best friend nightly, especially through his hard times, now on F/V Titan Explorer.The scene was a powerful reminder that while work often takes priority, life’s personal moments can’t be ignored. Jake returned home to honor his friend’s memory properly.

Viewers watched him go through many stages of grief at that moment, including a moment of anger when he questioned why others hadn’t died instead. Through Jake’s discussion of Tom, Deadliest Catch gave Tom a nice send-off through some happy clips and continual praise from his best friend. Jake Anderson will always remember his best friend’s smile and mustache. While the passing didn’t happen on camera, it was still a gut-wrenching moment to watch someone experience loss in real time.

Captain Jake Anderson Had a Rough Time During Season 20

A major plot line for Captain Jake Anderson during Season 20 was his losing his ship, Fishing Vessel Saga. Put in a precarious situation, he was hit with a repossession note on the boat he partially owned. He shared with TV Insider prior to the start of the season, “Just before I was getting to go red crab fishing, I found out my partner, with all due respect, with the legal things going on, we don’t know what he did. I lost my boat. In saying that, I don’t think there has ever been a show to watch the American dream unfold and watch it crumble at the same time.”

With the timing coinciding with the Red King Crab fishery reopening and a derby-style race underway, Jake had to take matters into his own hands, leaning on an old friend to be his savior. With nowhere to turn and money to earn, Captain Sig Hansen took him in. By working temporarily on fishing vessel Northwestern, Captain Jake was back where his journey started. Of course, as a seasoned veteran of the seas, it may have been a hit to his pride, but there was nothing else the fan favorite could do.

Following his stint with Captain Sig, Jake was able to find refuge on a new ship in a higher position. It just meant he was not in control of his destiny. He was working for an owner. On the fishing vessel Titan Explorer, Jake had to not only prove his worth to his employers, he had to earn the respect of his peers. In the end, he proved his worth by calling upon his decades of experience in the Bering Seas.