This is the question every new DJ wants to know, but is afraid to ask anyone. How much can I actually make doing this? Is it really worth my time and effort or am I going to starve?
How much you can make as a DJ depends on a number of factors, including the type of DJing you are doing, your skills and experience, how good you are at marketing your services, and sometimes just luck. One of the biggest factors is what type of DJ you are. Some DJ types have a steady income, and some DJ types pay little to nothing unless you are the absolute top of the field. How much do DJs make? While income can vary wildly, there are some clear categories that DJ pay falls into. Average earnings per set:
- Bar/Club DJ: $50 to $200
- Event DJ: $300 to $600
- Wedding DJ: $500 to $700
- Touring DJ: $250 to $2,500
- Superstar DJ: $2,500 to $25,000
You Can Find Me In The Club
If you are looking to become the next Calvin Harris or The Chainsmokers, this is where it starts. You’ll be playing small clubs and bars and anywhere else that will have you. Pay at this level is simply supply and demand. There are more DJs than there are time slots, so owners aren’t willing to pay very much.
The secret to getting paid what you are worth at this level is establishing a following. Your entire job as a bar or club DJ is to get people to show up and buy drinks. Owners do not really care what kind of music you play or how good a DJ you are, they just need customers. Once you can show that your name consistently brings in paying customers, you can ask for more money.
The best way to get a following today is by building an email list. Create content, like new songs or DJ mixes, and promote it through social media. But make sure it links back to your website where you can ask for email addresses. Facebook, Instagram and the like are constantly changing the rules and your access to your followers. If you collect people’s email addresses in exchange for something of value, you will always have a way to communicate with them directly. You can even put out a mailing list sign-up sheet at your next event.
Just imagine playing your first set at a club and bringing 25 or 50 customers with you. It will be a pretty easy conversation with the owner to negotiate for higher pay for your next set.
Private Jock For Hire
Working private events takes more effort than just showing up at a club with your music, therefore it pays more. It is similar to weddings in that you are expected to be completely self-contained, but the pressure and responsibility is less. This is a great way to make some side income if you are trying to break into the club scene. It’s also a great way to make a full-time income running your own small business. If the constant travel and late nights of a touring DJ don’t appeal to you, an event DJ business is the full-time path that pays well.
Non-wedding events include corporate meetings, trade shows, school dances, private parties and much more. You will mostly be expected to show up on time and play great music. Some events will have some light MC duties, or you might just be providing sound for other presenters. Tasks can vary greatly, but you can also adjust your price based on what is expected of you.
Going To The Chapel
Weddings are the next level of event DJ. You will be an integral part of someone’s big day, and there are no do-overs. Your DJ skills need to be on point, but you will also be expected to basically run the show. You need to have great microphone skills, be an MC, and lead the crowd through the various events. You will likely be introducing people you have never met before that most other people in the room already know. You will have one shot to say their names correctly.
You will also be meeting and interacting with a bunch of people in a highly charged emotional state. Things can and will go wrong. You have to be able to think on your feet and be ready for last minute changes. It takes a lot of preparation and practice to be good, and it can be stressful.
All that being said, weddings are the biggest moneymaker for DJ businesses. The average cost for a DJ at a 4-hour reception is around $650. That’s a pretty good hourly rate, but many DJs feel that is still too low. With the right branding and marketing campaign, high end wedding DJs can charge up to $5,000 or more per event. This may seem like a lot, but the average wedding in 2019 is up to $38,700. If you are looking to add to your value, Digital DJ Tips just released a course from wedding DJ Jason Jani, whose minimum wedding price is $3,500. I’m sure he has some great tips to teach you.
On the road again…
Touring DJs travel constantly, playing various clubs and festivals around the world. To get bookings at this level, you will need to be producing your own tracks to get the name recognition you need for a national or international following. You will also need to network and make the connections through your local clubs to get bookings. Once you have some traction on Beatport or social media, the bookings will follow.
Pay at this level is anywhere from $250 for a small club set to $2500 at a major festival. You can easily make $50,000+ per year working full time. You will need a booking agent with connections to the club and festival circuit to get the number of gigs you need for a full-time income.
This can be a great regular income once you make it to this level. But, expect to be travelling upwards of 200 days a year. Life on the road can get very tiring and can be hard on your relationships. Plus, there’s the non-stop party atmosphere that you will be around. It can all get old very quickly.
Baby, You’re a Big Star Now
The top level of touring DJs are the names you likely know by heart. These are the superstar DJs with record deals, selling out arenas and headlining festivals. This is the big leagues, and it is very unlikely that any one DJ can make it to this level. This is just like trying to be the next great pop star. Many will try, but very few will succeed.
At this high level, DJs can pretty much get whatever they ask for. Superstar DJs are making anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000 or more per show. DJs with record deals can easily make over $1 million per year. The highest paid DJs are making tens of millions every year. But, of all of the DJs all over the world, there are only a handful who ever make it this far.
For a look inside the life of a superstar DJ, check out Laidback Luke’s YouTube channel. He is a great example of working hard and surviving the crazy lifestyle of a celebrity DJ.
In Summary…
There are many different ways to make a living as a DJ. You can choose the path that fits what you want best. If you’re looking to get paid more, find opportunities that combine better pay with the style of DJing you enjoy. There is always a way to get what you want if you are willing to work for it. Find what works for you, keep working on improving your skills every day, and don’t settle for less than you are worth.
