Oak Island Cast Salaries Revealed, How Rich Is the Oak Island Cast?

How Much Does the Curse of Oak Island Cast Make – and Who Really Keeps the Treasure?

For more than a decade, The Curse of Oak Island has kept viewers glued to their screens with its blend of mystery, history, and the tantalizing promise of buried treasure. But while the legendary hoard on Nova Scotia’s Oak Island remains elusive, one question fans often ask is far less mysterious: how much money does the cast actually make, and who would keep the treasure if it were ever found?

Thanks to industry insiders and salary estimates, we can piece together a clearer picture of the financial rewards behind this long-running treasure hunt.

The Core Team and Their Earnings

One of the most important figures on the island is Craig Tester, a close business partner of Marty Lagina and a key stakeholder in Oak Island Tours. With an engineering background and experience co-founding companies such as Terra Energy and Heritage Sustainable Energy, Tester plays both a technical and financial role in the operation. Reports suggest he earns around $300,000 per season, or roughly $12,000 to $15,000 per episode in a typical 20-episode season. As a producer and part owner of the island, his income is likely supplemented further. If a major treasure were discovered, Tester would share in it through his ownership stake.

Gary Drayton, the show’s charismatic metal-detecting expert, joined the team in season two and quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his ability to uncover coins, buttons, and other intriguing artifacts. While his exact salary is not public, reality TV experts estimate that someone of his profile earns between $50,000 and $100,000 per season, or about $2,500 to $5,000 per episode. Any artifacts Drayton finds are typically turned over to the team, with ownership falling to Oak Island Tours, though minor items may be shared depending on internal agreements.

Jack Begley, Craig Tester’s stepson, is known for his tireless energy and hands-on approach to digging and equipment work. As a founding cast member and producer, Begley reportedly earns $50,000 to $75,000 per season, translating to roughly $2,000 to $3,500 per episode. While his financial stake is smaller than the main owners, he would likely receive a proportional share if a significant treasure were found.

The island’s historical backbone is Charles Barkhouse, a historian and Freemason who also works as a tour guide for Oak Island Tours. His salary is estimated at $30,000 to $60,000 per season, or around $1,500 to $3,000 per episode. Barkhouse’s income is likely supplemented by the island’s museum and guided tours, though his share of any treasure would be modest.

Heavy equipment operator Billy Gerhardt, affectionately known as “Billy Buckets,” is another essential contributor. As the owner of Gerhardt Property Improvement, he provides machinery and expertise crucial to the excavations. Estimates place his earnings at $40,000 to $70,000 per season, or $2,000 to $3,500 per episode. As a contractor rather than an owner, his claim to any treasure would likely be limited to a bonus or small agreed-upon share.

Younger team members also earn their place on the island. Peter Fornetti, nephew of Rick and Marty Lagina, assists with research and fieldwork and likely earns $20,000 to $40,000 per season, or $1,000 to $2,000 per episode. Alex Lagina, Marty’s son, contributes diving and engineering skills and is estimated to earn $50,000 to $80,000 per season, or $2,500 to $4,000 per episode. Neither holds a major ownership stake, meaning any treasure would primarily belong to the company.

Specialists such as archaeologists Laird Niven and J. Hutton Pulitzer, along with geoscientist Dr. Ian Spooner, are typically paid consulting fees ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per episode, depending on their role and screen time. They do not have ownership rights to any discoveries, which are turned over to Oak Island Tours.

Rick and Marty Lagina: The Big Earners

At the heart of the series are the Lagina brothers. Rick Lagina, whose obsession with Oak Island began after reading a Reader’s Digest article in 1965, was a retired U.S. postal worker before the show. Today, his net worth is estimated at $10 million, largely thanks to the series. Insiders report Rick earns around $500,000 per season, or $25,000 per episode, combining his salary as a cast member, executive producer, and residuals from the show’s international success. As a 50% owner of Oak Island Tours, he would be entitled to a substantial share of any treasure discovered, subject to Canadian law.

Marty Lagina, the younger brother and financial engine of the operation, has an estimated net worth of $100 million, built through successful energy ventures including the sale of Terra Energy. Like Rick, Marty earns approximately $500,000 per season from the show and holds an equal ownership stake in Oak Island Tours. His business expertise and financial resources have helped sustain the costly drilling and excavation efforts over the years.

So, Who Keeps the Treasure?

If a major treasure were ever found, ownership would primarily rest with Oak Island Tours, co-owned by Rick and Marty Lagina, Craig Tester, and other partners. Canadian regulations require all artifacts to be reported to the Nova Scotia government, and historically significant items may be claimed for preservation. Minor finds are often displayed in the Oak Island museum, with ownership determined by the company’s partners.

Despite rumors of a legendary $2.5 million hoard, no confirmed treasure of that scale has been discovered. For now, the real wealth of The Curse of Oak Island lies not beneath the soil, but in the show itself. Cast members earn anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 per episode for supporting roles, up to $25,000 per episode for Rick and Marty Lagina.

In the end, while the mystery of Oak Island continues, one thing is clear: the journey, the discoveries, and the steady paychecks may already be the greatest treasure of all.