We like cookies!

By selecting ‘I like cookies too’, you are allowing Point Blank Music School to use cookies. We use cookies to collect your device and browser information to tailor our marketing activities for your benefit and to help with the functionality of our website. Please visit our privacy policy (see cookies policy) for more information and to understand how we use your data for required purposes.

I like cookies too!

Manage my preferences

What's the salary outlook as a DJ for 2024?

Overall, DJ-ing is well paid, but earnings from DJing can vary dramatically, not only from DJ to DJ but from gig to gig. There are many variables that can affect how much a DJ can charge. At the higher end of the spectrum, big names like Calvin Harris can charge around $400,000 per gig. A resident club DJ in the UK can expect to earn around £200-£300 per night, but this may be considerably more in other locations such as Las Vegas or Ibiza. A DJ playing at a standard corporate event or wedding could charge anything between £350 - £1000, depending on who is booking them (and other factors such as whether they are also supplying the equipment and what preparation they may need to do). How much you earn as a DJ will depend on a range of factors:

  • What music you play (or what music you are prepared to play!)
  • How versatile you are. If you use a wide range of equipment or scratch, you could potentially secure different types of gigs (e.g. performing with live bands or singers/rappers etc).
  • How good you are at negotiating fees. If you are represented by a reputable agency/label/manager you may be able to earn more than if you negotiate fees yourself
  • How big your profile is as a DJ/music artist
  • What industry contacts you already have
  • How good you are at networking and seeking out new opportunities
  • How reliable you are and what your reputation is in the industry. DJs who can be depended upon to do their job well and get on with those they are working with are more likely to get the bookings than those who may have a negative reputation or make unreasonable demands.
  • Whether you have your own sound system/s which can also be rented out alongside your DJ fees
  • What other ways you can monetise your talents (e.g. selling merch, Live streaming DJ sets, gaining commissions for recording mixes/remixes, teaching/mentoring others).

If you have a high profile, perhaps because you have released successful tracks in the past, have a successful radio show/podcast, or have built up a loyal following of fans, then you can command greater fees for DJ gigs as your name will attract paying customers and you will therefore be an attractive prospect for promoters to book. Some gigs may be lower paid whereas another may command a much higher fee due to the type of event. Independent club nights, often run on a small scale, may not be as lucrative as a large corporate event with a much larger budget.

Back to Careers