They command superyachts worth tens of millions. Their paychecks match the responsibility.

Below Deck has made household names of yacht captains who would otherwise operate in anonymous luxury. But unlike most reality stars who build wealth through brand deals and sponsorships, Below Deck captains net worth comes from a combination of legitimate maritime careers and television exposure.Here’s what the captains of Bravo’s most seaworthy franchise actually earn. 

Below Deck Captains Net Worth: Complete Rankings 2026

Rank Captain Net Worth Show Years Experience
1 Captain Kerry Titheradge $5 Million Below Deck 25+ years
2 Captain Glenn Shephard $1.5 Million Below Deck Sailing Yacht 20+ years
3 Captain Lee Rosbach $1 Million Below Deck (Original) 35+ years
4 Captain Sean Meagher $1.5 Million Below Deck 30+ years
5 Captain Sandy Yawn $400,000 Below Deck Mediterranean 30+ years
6 Captain Jason Chambers $500,000 Below Deck Down Under 20+ years

Captain Lee Rosbach: The “Stud of the Sea” ($1 Million)

Captain Lee Rosbach
Captain Lee Rosbach

Captain Lee Rosbach became the face of Below Deck captains net worth as the original series captain from 2013 until his departure in Season 10 due to health issues.

Career Background

  • Born November 15, 1949, in Saginaw, Michigan
  • Started in restaurant business, owning 10 restaurants in Florida, Indiana, Georgia, and Turks & Caicos
  • Discovered yachting at 35 when a friend offered him a sailboat delivery job
  • Earned captain’s license despite getting seasick on first boat
  • 35+ years commanding superyachts

Below Deck Captains Net Worth Breakdown

  • Yacht captain salary: $150,000-$210,000 annually
  • Below Deck appearance fees: Undisclosed but substantial
  • Tip sharing: Captain Lee famously splits tips equally among all crew
  • Largest single tip: $35,000
  • Book royalties: Running Against the Tide: True Tales from the Stud of the Sea (2018)
  • Merchandise: T-shirts, mugs, coasters with his famous quotes
  • Cameo videos: Personalized messages for fans
  • Brand deals: Dramamine, Bacardi partnerships
  • New show: Deadly Waters with Captain Lee (Oxygen true crime series)

Why Captain Lee’s Net Worth Isn’t Higher

Unlike reality stars who build product empires, Captain Lee’s wealth comes primarily from his actual career. Yacht captains don’t own the vessels they command, and most of his income went to supporting his family over 35 years before television fame.

His son Joshua’s tragic death from fentanyl poisoning in 2019 led Lee to become an advocate for addiction awareness, prioritizing purpose over profit.

Captain Sandy Yawn: Breaking the Glass Ceiling ($400,000)

Captain Sandy Yawn
Captain Sandy Yawn

Captain Sandy Yawn became the only female captain in the Below Deck franchise, joining Below Deck Mediterranean in Season 2 (2014) and becoming a central figure in Below Deck captains net worth discussions.

Career Background

  • Born February 23, 1965, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Fell in love with the ocean as a child, began cleaning boats at 13
  • Earned captain’s license in 1994 at Maritime Professional Training Institute
  • First vessel command: Tuscan Sun (2004)
  • One of the few female captains in a male-dominated industry

Income Sources

  • Yacht captain salary: $120,000-$150,000 per season
  • Below Deck Med salary: Estimated comparable to Captain Lee
  • Speaking engagements: $15,000-$25,000 per speech
  • Brand partnerships: Azuna and other sponsored content
  • Public appearances: Meet-and-greets, yacht shows

Controversies Affecting Value

Captain Sandy’s handling of Hannah Ferrier’s firing (for possession of undeclared Valium) divided fans and affected her marketability. However, she remains a central draw for Below Deck Mediterranean.

Captain Kerry Titheradge: The Wealthiest Captain ($5 Million)

Captain Kerry Titheradge represents the highest Below Deck captains net worth, building substantial wealth before television through decades of elite yacht work.

Captain Kerry Titheradge
Captain Kerry Titheradge

Wealth Factors

  • 25+ years commanding luxury vessels
  • Worked as captain for Yacht Pursuit before Below Deck
  • Accumulated wealth through consistent high-end yacht positions
  • Television adds supplementary income to existing fortune

Captain Glenn Shephard: The Sailing Yacht Expert ($1.5 Million)

Captain Glenn Shephard commands Below Deck Sailing Yacht, bringing a different skill set than motor yacht captains.

Background

  • Started as a traveler, discovered yachting when offered deckhand work
  • Fell in love with a 50-foot classic yacht
  • 13+ years as a licensed captain
  • Known as the “Chill Captain” for unflappable demeanor

How Yacht Captain Salaries Work

Understanding Below Deck captains net worth requires understanding yacht industry compensation:

Base Salary Ranges

Yacht Size Captain Salary Range
100-150 feet $80,000-$120,000
150-200 feet $120,000-$180,000
200+ feet (Superyacht) $180,000-$250,000+

Tips

Charter guests typically tip 5-20% of the charter fee. On a $150,000/week charter, that’s $7,500-$30,000 split among the crew. Captains either take equal shares or slightly larger portions depending on yacht policy.

Captain Lee’s policy: “On any yacht I have command of, we all share equally. Everyone gets the same amount.”

Additional Perks

  • Free accommodation on the yacht
  • Meals provided
  • Insurance and benefits (varies by yacht/owner)
  • Travel to exotic locations

Television vs. Yachting Income

Below Deck captains net worth differs from other reality stars because their primary income comes from their actual careers, not television:

Income Source Estimated Annual Value
Yacht Captain Salary $120,000-$210,000
Tips (Variable) $20,000-$50,000
Below Deck Filming Undisclosed
Brand Deals/Appearances $10,000-$50,000
Book/Merchandise $5,000-$20,000

The Chef Factor: Ben Robinson ($3 Million)

Chef Ben Robinson
Chef Ben Robinson

While not a captain, Chef Ben Robinson deserves mention in Below Deck wealth discussions with an estimated $3 million net worth.

Income Sources

  • Multiple seasons across Below Deck and Below Deck Med
  • YouTube cooking channel with substantial following
  • Custom merchandise sales
  • Cookbook royalties
  • Personal chef services

Why Below Deck Stars Earn Less Than Housewives

Former cast member Eddie Lucas explained the disparity: “Everyone on Below Deck is expendable. While we do get paid better than a normal yachtie, we are still not getting paid what the Housewives are making, which is frustrating, because they’re not really working.”

Key differences:

  • Real job vs. lifestyle documentation: Below Deck crew work actual jobs during filming
  • Interchangeable cast: New crew members join regularly, reducing individual leverage
  • Focus on service, not drama: The show’s format limits manufactured conflict
  • Shorter filming windows: Charter seasons are limited

Related Articles

The Bottom Line on Below Deck Captains Net Worth

Below Deck captains net worth tells a different story than most reality TV wealth. These are working professionals whose television fame supplements existing maritime careers.

Captain Lee didn’t become rich from Bravo. He became rich from 35 years commanding superyachts, then Bravo amplified his platform. Captain Sandy didn’t need television to build her career. Television gave her a megaphone.

For viewers watching Below Deck captains navigate storms and demanding charter guests, the wealth lesson is clear: real expertise, built over decades, creates lasting value. Television just makes more people aware of it.

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Tags: below deck captains net worth, captain lee net worth, captain sandy net worth, captain kerry net worth, below deck salary, yacht captain salary, below deck mediterranean, below deck sailing yacht

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