Dave Hester is a name many fans of Storage Wars instantly recognize, especially when he yells his signature “Yuuup!” But how much has he earned over the years, and what is his net worth as of 2025?

In this profile, we’ll dig into what contributes to Dave Hester net worth, his career path, his family life, and what he’s doing now. If you’ve ever wondered “How much does Dave Hester make per episode?” or “What happened to Dave Hester’s store?”, keep reading; you’ll find those answers here.

Who Is Dave Hester?

Dave Hester was born on July 23, 1964, in Oceanside, California. Long before television fame, he developed a talent for spotting hidden value in everyday items. He got into auctions, estate sales, and eventually storage unit auctions. Over time, he built a reputation as a sharp, no-nonsense bidder.

He later became one of the main cast members on A&E’s Storage Wars, where viewers got to see his skills and his personality.

What Is Dave Hester’s Net Worth In 2025?

According to most sources, Dave Hester’s net worth is approximately 4 million dollars in 2025. Other alternative sources put the figure a bit lower (approximately, $3 million) because there are doubts in the business valuations and sources of revenue.

Nevertheless, the most mentioned amount is that of $4 million, which is a sum of his income from TV and from auctions among other businesses.

What Contributes To Dave Hester’s Net Worth?

His fortune comes from a mix of income sources:

  • Reality TV earnings: He made money from Storage Wars episodes and seasons.
  • Auction business: He owns and runs his own auction operations and consignment sales.
  • Retail and collectibles: In his past ventures, he operated storefronts and sold collectibles.
  • Licensing and catchphrase deals: He trademarked “Yuuup!”—a branding move that helped market merchandise.
  • Other appearances & deals: Guest spots, speaking, and possibly consulting help too.

How Did Dave Hester Make His Money?

Early Auction Experience & Shops

From a young age, Dave visited yard sales, auctions, and estate sales with an eye for value. Over time, he grew more confident and started placing bids himself. He became licensed as an auctioneer in the early 1990s.

Later, he opened a 10,000 sq. ft. storefront named Newport Consignment Gallery and Rags to Riches thrift store in Costa Mesa, California. This showroom carried furniture, art, antiques, and specialty items. Because of high overhead, it was both an opportunity and a risk. Eventually, he closed these shops and shifted more focus to auctions. 

Storage Wars & TV Revenue

Dave joined Storage Wars when the show launched in 2010. His bold bidding style and personality made him a standout. In his legal claims against A&E, he revealed that cast members were sometimes paid $25,000 per episode, with about 26 episodes per season, resulting in around $650,000 base just from episodes. 

Add bonuses, travel allowances, and expense accounts, and the total per season could rise further. 

What Is Dave Hester Doing Now?

As of 2025, Dave’s main focus lies in his auctions and collectibles business. He isn’t as active on TV, but he still leverages his Storage Wars fame for brand presence. Some fans wonder: “Is Dave Hester still appearing on Storage Wars?” The answer is: less frequently.

He also keeps his social media presence, occasionally interacts with fans, and might participate in public auctions or events.

Who Is Dave Hester’s Wife?

Donna Hester is the wife of Dave and maintains a rather confidential profile. The couple has been married for more than 20 years.

Donna does not always feature in the limelight but she is behind his career and occasionally photographed.

The sources do not provide enough information about her age; the year of her birth is not clearly stated. Since she has her privacy, we know a lot from fan pages.

Does Dave Hester Have Kids?

Yes, Dave and Donna have a son named Dave Hester Jr. He occasionally appears in family photos or mentions in interviews, but he mostly stays out of the limelight.

Family life is kept reasonably low-key. Dave tends to focus public attention on his work rather than personal matters.

Who Is The Richest Person From Storage Wars?

In the realm of Storage Wars stars, net worths vary widely. Dave Hester is estimated at ~$4 million. Others, like Dan and Laura Dotson, are sometimes estimated similarly or even a bit higher. 

So while Dave is among the wealthy from the show, he isn’t necessarily the richest.

What Happened To Dave Hester’s Store?

His initial storefronts, Newport Consignment Gallery and Rags to Riches, were shut down in 2012 or so. He exited a large retail facility, probably because of the cost of operation, altered market trends, or became more interested in auctions and TV. 

Final Thoughts

The story of Dave Hester is not only a TV show but it has shown that passion with the right skill, branding and persistence can turn into a lasting source of income. He did not become a multi-millionaire in a day. Rather, he constructed his auction know-how slowly, risked in the retail sector, maximized the Storage Wars recognition, and exploited his brand name (Yuuup!).