Do you enjoy listening to music? Do you make your own and your friends’ music playlists?
You should think about becoming a DJ! The abbreviation DJ stands for disc jockey.
Disc jockeys are the people who play the music you hear on the radio, on the internet, at local taverns and dance clubs, and even at wedding receptions, so they appear basically everywhere.
A DJ plays music that has been pre-recorded by other performers, generally from an extensive library of songs that fit the subject of the event or location where they are performing.
A disc jockey has various skills and responsibilities depending on where they work and how they work.
So you might wonder how much do DJs make and which state is best to start your DJ career. According to ZipRecruiter, Sunnyvale, CA pays 24.7% more pay to DJs as compared to their national average pay.
Keep reading to find out more information about their hourly and yearly pay and more.
Summary
| Guide | How Much Do DJs Make? |
|---|---|
| Average Income | $88,790 per year |
| Highest Income | $100,000-$120,000 per year |
| Qualification | Not needed |
| Training | Not needed |
Who Are DJs?
DJs, disc jockeys as their original name, are people who try to entertain a specific audience by playing recorded music.
Radio DJs (who host shows on music radio stations), club DJs (who operate at a nightclub or music festival), mobile DJs (who performs at public and private events such as weddings, parties, or festivals), and turntablists (who generally use turntables to manipulate the song’s sounds on phonograph records) are all examples of DJs. Originally, the “disc” in “disc jockey” was actually shellac.
Then it turned vinyl records, but nowadays, DJs generally utilize a CDJ, controller, or even a laptop to mix music from different recording media such as cassettes, CDs, or digital audio files.
Also Read: How Much Do Detectives Make?
How Much Do DJs Make?
DJs play at a variety of events, including weddings, club nights, music festivals, and parties, all of which engagements with pay that allow them to expand their fan base while earning money.
However, various assignments pay differently, and not every event will be profitable.
According to Ziprecruiter.com, the typical wedding DJ in the United States earns $43 per hour, for a total annual income of $88,790.
Depending on the popularity of the venue and the size of the performer’s fan following, performing at clubs may be quite lucrative.
Small, off-the-beaten-path venues with a no-name DJ will not make as much as a large club with a marquee performer in residence, and the pay scales correspondingly.
While partying is a popular hobby that generates a lot of money, it does not pay as well as the more showy wedding scene.
According to ZipRecruiter, a career and employment search site, the average yearly compensation for a club DJ is $49,607 per year or $23.85 per hour.
This varies by location. For example, in Los Angeles, $200 per night is very standard, but big clubs in New York might pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 for a performance.
1. How Much Do DJs Make an hour?
DJs make a minimum of $9.38 an hour and a maximum of $74.04 an hour.
2. How Much Do DJs Make A Month?
DJs make a minimum of $1,625 a month and a maximum of $12,833 a month.
3. How Much Do DJs Make A Year?
DJs make a minimum of $19,500 a year and a maximum of $154,000 a year.
Highest Salary Of DJs In 2023
The highest salary of DJs is so comprehensive that you probably can not put a number on it because there are various DJs with a variety of successes and experiences around the world.
To say a few, Calvin Harris or DJ Tiesto are probably the two most famous DJs globally, and they get paid millions.
But for an average DJ who is working in places like nightclubs, weddings, and so on, the average highest salary we see six figures around $100,000-$120,000 annually.
Still, this could drastically increase or decrease depending on how many performances you make in a month.
Is Being A DJ Good Or Bad?
If you enjoy music, making music, and changing it up to heat the room with your music in a nightclub, wedding, or anywhere that needs it and enjoy staying there for a longer time, being a DJ is undoubtedly a good thing for you.
It requires you to be patient and spend hours somewhere if you are not in a concert. Especially in nightclubs, you have to be out the whole night.
It might seem fun, but it has extensive work hours that many do not want to work.
Being a DJ is good and fun if you can handle these work hours and enjoy loud music every night.
Pros and Cons of Being A DJ
Pros
- You get to do what you love
- You can become famous
- You can be your own boss
- Success comes with money
- You get to meet interesting people
- Education is not necessary
Cons
- Loud music may damage hearing
- Poor job security
- Late night hours
- Not all DJs make good money
How To Become A DJ?
Here’s how you can become a DJ:
- There is no official license or certification needed to be a DJ. However, you need some soft skills. You must have musical sensitivity.
- The easiest way to grasp what you’re mixing and working with is to have some musical training, such as playing the piano. It’s also necessary to have a strong sense of rhythm when mixing, and you should be knowledgeable about current technology if you’re a DJ. It’s critical to know what is going on and quickly grasp new technological features.
- Start creating mixtapes of your music and present them to your local club. They might offer you a gig if they like your music.
- You can also put your music out on YouTube, Instagram, etc. This way, you can increase your visibility, and you might end up getting signed if someone from the industry notices you.
How Many Hours Do DJs Work?
DJs ideally work for three to five hours a week. The timings may be more or less depending on the size of the stage or the place where the DJ is playing.
Also, DJs get most gigs during weekends, as that is when most people go out.
What is the Starting Pay of DJs?
The starting pay of DJs is $9.38 an hour or $1,625 a month. The pay of DJs increases as they gain more popularity.
So DJs can make up to $74.04 an hour or $154,000 a year as they start gaining more popularity.
Who is the Richest DJ in the World?
Scottish DJ, singer, songwriter, and producer Calvin Harris is the richest DJ in the world.
He began producing music at a young age and caught the eye of Three Six Zero Group, who later on, signed him.
According to wealthygorilla, Clavin Harris has a net worth of jaw-dropping $300 million.
DJ Training Programs
Officially, there are no training programs provided for DJs as you do not need a certification or anything else.
DJs refine their skills by practicing with the technology and also software they use to mix music for hours on end.
As a result of technological advancements, the bar for entrance into the sector has been dropped, with several software solutions now available to aspiring DJs.
DJs often mix music with a mixture of hardware and software, and knowing how to utilize these tools efficiently is an essential aspect of their practice and training.
While many DJs still utilize vinyl records in their sets, the software now allows them to sample music digitally.
Each DJ has its own tastes when it comes to the balance of hardware and software.
Basic abilities like fading and rhythm and phrase matching are also crucial for DJs.
DJs can easily transition from one song to the next by fading the volume on a track.
Conclusion
To conclude, being a DJ is not easy. It requires some good music skills and the ability to control a crowd not only with your music but also with your behavior.
You can earn a lot of money being a DJ and the more famous you get, the more money you will earn.
This is the best part about being a DJ as there are no limits on your earnings if you are good enough.
FAQ
How much do DJs make when they get famous?
When you are a famous DJ, the only limit is the sky for your earnings. Also, the majority of the famous DJs worldwide earn millions of dollars in one gig alone.
How much do DJs make when they are juniors?
They get the smallest amount possible, generally lower than the average salary.
How much do DJs make when they play at private parties?
It depends on what kind of party and where the party is. If you have to travel or the party’s organization is someone famous, you will get paid way higher than the average, but if it is a small party, a local one, you will get the average according to your experience.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
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