Inside the Paychecks of Oak Island Season 13: How Much Do Oak Island’s Experts Actually Make?
Few television series blend mystery, engineering, history, and long-term dedication the way The Curse of Oak Island does. As Season 13 unfolds, viewers are once again drawn to the painstaking work of the Lagina brothers and their expanding crew of archaeologists, engineers, divers, and historians. But behind the million-dollar excavations, massive scanning operations, and months of on-island labour lies a question fans often ask yet rarely receive clear answers to:
How much do the Oak Island team members actually earn?
Unlike many reality-TV productions, Oak Island is built on expertise rather than spectacle. That means pay varies widely depending on profession, credentials, screen time, and contractual involvement with Prometheus Entertainment — the production company behind the series. Season 13, marked by new technology, deeper investigations, and more specialists than ever before, provides the clearest picture yet of how earnings work for the show’s core players.
Rick and Marty Lagina: Executive Roles With Long-Term Investment
Rick and Marty Lagina are not paid like standard cast members. As executive producers and central figures of the entire franchise, their earnings come from multiple streams:
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Production compensation
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Executive producer fees
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Ownership of Oak Island Tours Inc.
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Long-term profits tied to the island’s commercial operations
While exact figures remain confidential, industry estimates suggest that executive producers in high-performing cable series typically earn $100,000–$250,000 per episode depending on involvement and distribution rights.
However, both brothers have repeatedly emphasized that their primary financial commitment remains the ongoing treasure search — a project that has consumed millions over the years and continues to do so.
Craig Tester: Engineering Mind With Producer-Level Pay
As both a co-owner of Oak Island Tours Inc. and a long-time producer on the show, Craig Tester sits in a unique hybrid role. His pay packages reflect:
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Engineering contributions
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Project oversight
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Producer duties
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Ownership share
In Season 13, where structural integrity, seismic testing, and tunnel modelling became more central than ever, Craig’s technical oversight remained one of the most valuable contributions to the entire operation.
Industry norms for a producer-engineer hybrid on a hit cable show sit between $80,000–$150,000 per episode, though Tester’s partial ownership complicates direct comparison.
Dr. Ian Spooner & Archaeological Team: Scientific Expertise at Premium Rates
No field changed Oak Island more in recent years than archaeology. With new Canadian heritage regulations and increased professional oversight, Season 13 relies more heavily on experienced scientists.
Dr. Ian Spooner (Geoscientist)
As a respected academic and a central voice in interpreting swamp and underground structures, Dr. Spooner’s compensation reflects both his expertise and his significant screen presence. Experts of his calibre typically earn:
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$40,000–$65,000 per season for consultation
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Plus additional compensation tied to filming days
His role has grown to the point where his earnings likely sit on the upper end of this range.
Archaeologists (e.g., Miriam Amirault, Laird Niven)
Professional archaeologists contracted for both fieldwork and on-screen explanation typically earn:
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$28–$45 per hour for excavation and documentation
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Plus day rates for televised segments (often $500–$1,200 per day depending on seniority)
In Season 13, with expanded digs at the Garden Shaft and Lot 5, archaeological hours have significantly increased, raising overall seasonal earnings.
Gary Drayton: Detectorist With High Visibility Compensation
Gary Drayton, one of the show’s most recognizable personalities, has a pay structure closer to mainstream reality-TV talent. As a specialist whose finds often drive episode highlights, Gary commands premium compensation.
Industry analysts estimate his earnings at:
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$30,000–$50,000 per episode, depending on involvement
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Additional revenue from books, merchandise, and sponsored appearances
Season 13, which features more metal-detecting across previously untouched terrain, likely pushes Gary’s total earnings higher than previous seasons.
Drill Teams & Heavy Equipment Operators: High Skill, High Demand
The deep shaft operations at the Garden Shaft, coupled with expanded drilling initiatives across the Money Pit and Lot 5, require advanced technical crews. These operators — often contracted locally or seasonally — typically earn:
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$28–$45 per hour for drill operators
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$35–$55 per hour for crane and heavy-equipment specialists
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Overtime premiums during extended excavation phases
Because Season 13 is particularly equipment-intensive, many operators likely surpass $70,000–$90,000 for the season’s duration.
Diver Specialists & Subsurface Engineers: Top-Tier Compensation
Diving, sonar mapping, and subsurface tunnel investigations are among the highest-risk tasks on Oak Island. Divers contracted to the production often receive:
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$1,500–$3,000 per day depending on depth, hazard rating, and certification
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Additional hazard pay for confined-space work
Season 13’s increased attention on historical tunnel connections means divers have become more essential than ever.
Why Earnings on Oak Island Continue to Rise
Three major factors shape the rising pay of Season 13:
1. Increased Scientific Regulation
Canadian heritage requirements mandate professional oversight for all excavations, raising reliance on accredited experts.
2. More Complex Engineering
With deeper digs and larger shafts, the show depends on highly specialized operators who command higher wages.
3. High Viewership = Higher Talent Rates
As the show remains one of History Channel’s top performers, cast members with strong on-screen presence receive elevated compensation reflective of industry norms.
Behind the Treasure Hunt Lies a Workforce of Experts
While the series is driven by the Laginas’ dream of solving a centuries-old mystery, its operation is powered by dozens of professionals whose earnings reflect expertise, risk, and years of commitment.
Viewers see the discoveries.
What they rarely see is the complex network of salaries, bonuses, and contracts that keep the mission alive season after season.
In Season 13, the treasure isn’t just underground — it’s also in the hands of the engineers, archaeologists, drillers, and explorers whose work makes Oak Island’s greatest moments possible.