Rick Petko holds an estimated net worth between $2 million and $3 million, earned through more than a decade as a master fabricator on television, custom motorcycle builds, and independent metalwork ventures. While many television mechanics struggle to sustain financial stability after leaving reality series, Petko built a diversified portfolio spanning custom manufacturing, corporate partnerships, and property ownership.
His wealth didn't arrive overnight. Long before working under the harsh lights of the Discovery Channel, Petko spent years in heavy industrial settings, honing the raw technical skills that eventually made him a fan favorite on American Chopper.
The Foundation: Early Labor and Industrial Skills
Born in Pennsylvania in 1968, Petko developed an early obsession with anything mechanical. He spent his youth tearing down go-karts, dirt bikes, and minibikes. Rather than jumping straight into custom design, he entered the traditional workforce early. He spent time operating cranes and working as a cold saw operator at industrial steel plants like Bethlehem Steel.
Realizing he wanted to work closer to automotive fabrication, he enrolled in specialized welding school. His initial target was building NASCAR chassis. This heavy-duty background gave him a distinct edge over hobbyists. He understood structural integrity, metallurgy, and stress tolerances on a granular level. Before joining the television world, he spent years restoring classic cars and motorcycles out of personal garages, building a localized reputation as a fabricator who could fix or build almost anything made of metal.
Orange County Choppers and Television Earnings
Petko joined Orange County Choppers (OCC) in 2003, stepping directly into the white-hot spotlight of reality television. As lead fabricator, he became the steady hand of the shop during explosive corporate and family drama between Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Jr.
During his 13-year tenure at OCC, which ended in 2016, Petko contributed to some of the shop's most iconic themed motorcycle builds, including:
- The POW/MIA Bike
- The Iroquois Chopper
- The Cadillac Bike
- The Rick's Dream Bike Project
Reality television pay scales for key fabricators during the peak of the American Chopper era typically ranged from mid-five figures to low-six figures per season, bolstered by appearance fees and promotional circuit travel. When Paul Jr. split from the company, Petko also featured prominently on the spin-off American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior, which kept his public profile high and his earning power steady through the early 2010s. You can read more about industry figures through profiles on platforms like Celebrity Net Worth.
RPD and Co and Independent Ventures
Leaving OCC in 2016 wasn't a retreat; it was a pivot toward complete creative independence. Petko had already established RPD and Co back in 2006 as a side venture while still employed at the main chopper shop. Operating out of his home farm in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, he transformed RPD and Co into a multi-discipline artisanal business.
The enterprise focuses on several high-margin revenue streams:
- Custom Metalwork and Restoration: Building vintage race bikes and restoring classic machines for collectors.
- Hand-Forged Culinary Knives: Petko partners with Sweden's Damasteel to produce heirloom-quality chef knives using patterned stainless damascus steel. These pieces command premium prices among culinary enthusiasts.
- Custom Jewelry: He handcrafts custom wedding bands using exotic materials like Damasteel, titanium, zirconium, and stainless steel.
- Brand Partnerships: Strategic collaborations with entities like Pocono Mountain Harley-Davidson allow customers to commission custom builds and restorations directly through his shop relationship.
Vintage Racing and Asset Portfolio
Beyond his workshop, Petko channels capital into vintage motorcycle racing. He regularly competes in historic events, including Sons of Speed races featuring vintage machines powered by early Indian Powerplus engines. While racing is often a cash-negative hobby for amateurs, for Petko, it serves as rolling marketing for his fabrication capabilities and deepens his authority in the vintage restoration market.
Real estate forms another stable pillar of his net worth. Property records indicate he acquired a multi-acre homestead in Bath, Pennsylvania, before eventually moving his primary residence and workshop operations to a farm property in the Pocono Mountains. Owning his production facilities outright eliminates high commercial lease overhead, protecting his profit margins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Rick Petko's salary on American Chopper?
Exact individual contracts for reality television crew members are rarely made public, but lead fabricators on hit cable shows during that era typically earned robust per-episode fees alongside a cut of merchandising and promotional appearances.
Why did Rick Petko leave Orange County Choppers?
Petko parted ways with OCC in 2016 primarily to step away from the grueling corporate television schedule and spend more time with his family, choosing instead to focus full-time on his independent shop, RPD and Co.
Where is Rick Petko's shop located today?
His workshop, RPD and Co, operates from his farm property located in the Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania, where he builds custom bikes, knives, and metal goods.
Is Rick Petko still married?
Yes. He married Brittany Cockeram in 2012, and the ceremony was featured as part of his television career. They have two daughters.
