Dave Marciano is a veteran captain on National Geographic’s reality TV series Wicked Tuna, helming the Hard Merchandise, formerly Falcon, since the show’s 2012 debut.
A Gloucester, Massachusetts, native born on December 5, 1995, has more than 40 years of experience fishing bluefin tuna.
He has been married to Nancy for more than 30 years, raising their three children, Angelica, Joseph, and Eva Rose, who often join him on Hard Merchandise.
Marciano’s competitive drive, family crew, and record-breaking hauls have made him a standout in the industry for decades.
Dave Marciano earns $83,000 per episode on Wicked Tuna, one of the highest captain salaries on the show. With 10-15 episodes per season across 13+ seasons, his annual TV income ranges from $830,000-$1.245 million.
Below is a detailed breakdown from online sources.
How much Marciano makes on Wicked Tuna
Captains like Marciano command premium pay due to screen time, boat ownership, and drama. From the television series, $83,000/episode is confirmed across sources, putting him among the show’s highest-paid cast members.
The Wicked Tuna Season 13, released in 2025, featured 14 episodes, netting $1.162 million before tax. Cumulative 13 seasons: $10M+ gross. Spin-offs, Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, and reunions add between $ 100k and $200k annually.
Dave Marciano’s fishing income
Selling bluefin tuna, which is among the most valuable species in the commercial fishing world, is the backbone of Marciano’s earnings.
His primary wealth is tuna sales during Gloucester’s 10-week season. Fishing crews usually earn income based on the fish they catch, and captains and boat owners, like Marciano, take a significant portion.
Bluefin fetches between $20 and $40/lb with a 1,000-lb fish amounting to between $20k and $40k. Hard Merchandise hauls 10,000-20,000 lbs per season, amounting to between $200k and $800k before tax, with Marciano taking 50-70% as owner/captain, between $100k and $560k.
Off-season swordfishing and party charters add $150k. Cumulative: $2M+ over career, offset by boat costs ($500k+ for Hard Merchandise).
Dave Marciano’s charter dishing and tours earnings
Marciano’s Angelica Fisheries business included providing fishing charters, where customers pay to go on guided trips with experienced captains. These trips are usually lucrative, especially during the peak seasons.
Marciano’s merchandise and brand sales
Marciano’s Angelica Fisheries also owns a merchandise shop that sells branded fishing gear, clothes, and accessories, adding yet another revenue stream beyond the show’s airtime.
Additionally, Marciano has sponsorship deals with various brands.