- Last Updated:
- 3/11/2025
- Khaleel Hayes
Cheers, applause, and frequent “Can you DJ my next party?” questions often follow you after DJing local basement and block parties for friends and some family members.
All this praise has you thinking about starting a DJ (disk jockey) business, but you’re unsure if this is a full-time opportunity or a side hustle. You wonder what the average DJ salary is and how much you can make when starting out.
From Coast to Coast: How Much Can DJs Make
Before pursuing your dream to become “the next big thing” in the music scene, you need a solid understanding of your earning potential. Where you live and work, your niche, experience, credibility, demand, marketing strategies, DJ style, and other factors affect how much revenue you earn.
How Much Do DJs Make a Year on Average in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for non-radio DJs is $31.39.
We also rounded up data surrounding DJ salaries and wages below from ZipRecruiter. Salary estimates like these change regularly, so always look for the most up-to-date figures before making a decision.
States With the Highest and Lowest DJ Pay Rates
Certain areas offer more job opportunities than others, which influences the amount of money you’re able to make. If there aren’t many people or venues looking to hire a DJ in your area, you’ll have to travel for gigs, which can get expensive.
Check out this quick breakdown of the states where DJs make the most (and the least):
| States Where DJs Earn the Most | States Where DJs Earn the Least |
|---|---|
|
Washington | $96,945 |
Louisiana | $73,195
|
|
New York | $93,645
|
Georgia | $72,275
|
|
Massachusetts | $93,481
|
Arkansas | $70,779 |
|
Alaska | $92,182 |
West Virginia | $66,265 |
|
Vermont | $91,010
|
Florida | $63,965 |
The locales with the most DJ gigs are major cities with lively music and club scenes, including Las Vegas, Chicago, New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Being in these areas can mean higher demand for your services, but keep in mind there will also be more competition for gigs because these cities attract big names in the industry.
Cost of living and housing, demand, niche, and more affect your profits. Overhead, travel, setup, and other fees can also impact how much you can charge for your services.
Cities With the Highest DJ Salaries
Rates vary significantly, even within states. Highly populated cities typically have more resources and venues than smaller ones. When estimating your earning potential, consider your own town as well as the surrounding cities you might travel to.
| Cities | DJ Salaries |
|---|---|
|
Nome, AK
|
$106,181
|
|
Mercer Island, WA
|
$104,832
|
|
Berkeley, CA
|
$104,807
|
|
Redwood City, CA
|
$104,799
|
|
Aspen, CO
|
$103,461
|
Even if the cost of living in larger cities prices you out of living there, you could still travel for gigs if the paycheck is worth it.
Average Salaries of DJs by Type
Think of the DJ industry as an oak tree — it’s big with a lot of limbs. Each limb represents a unique niche, from radio and mobile to nightclubs, weddings, and more. Let’s explore the different types of DJs and how much they make.
How Much Do Mobile DJs Make?
Mobile DJ events could include anything from birthday parties and weddings to high school dances. Salaries range between $500 and $1,400 per gig, with an average salary of $43,940 or $21 an hour. The top states where mobile DJs earn the most are:
- Washington: $49,766
- New York: $48,072
- Massachusetts: $47,988
While a mobile DJ’s salary seems comparatively low vs. the industry average, it’s all about how many gigs you can book and building a customer base.
How Much Do Radio DJs Earn?
Radio DJs provide local or global audiences with music, discussion topics, interviews, and more. There are several radio DJ roles to choose from, such as:
- Morning show
- Talk show
- Music genre-specific
- News/weather/sports
- Drive-time
- Late night/overnight
- Public/community radio
- Internet/podcast
The average salary for radio DJs is $34,000 or $16 per hour. The three states with the highest wages for radio DJs include:
- Washington: $49,766
- New York: $48,072
- Massachusetts: $47,321
It’s important to note that most radio DJ roles are part-time, so you may need to supplement your income through additional gig work.
How Much Do Radio DJs Earn?
Wedding DJs not only spin tracks but also emcee the reception. On average, wedding DJs can make around $65 per hour — that’s $325 for a five-hour gig. The three best cities for wedding DJs include:
- Nome, AK: $167,621
- Berkeley, CA: $165,452
- Sitka, AK: $162,782
Keep in mind that these salaries assume you’re working 40-hour weeks, which is unlikely in the event DJ industry. Your take-home salary will vary depending on how many events you work.
Karaoke Jockeys (aka KJs)
KJs curate music for people to sing in front of crowds at parties, clubs, bars, and weddings. A KJ’s average salary is $37,956 or $18 per hour. The three best states for KJs include:
- Washington: $42,989
- New York: $41,526
- Massachusetts: $41,453
Find out how to become a KJ.
Top Factors Impacting How Much DJs Charge
Significant factors can affect how much you should charge (and your profits!) when starting a DJ business. Let’s examine each component a little more closely:
- Niche or industry: Costumes, specific gear, getting permission to play at different venues, and other niche ideas affect your pricing.
- Scope of services: Adding additional items and services to your repertoire, including photo booths, lasers, fog machines, and emceeing events, can boost profits.
- Credentials: Getting DJ insurance and investing in a license to play copyrighted music publicly can boost gig signups and your credibility.
- Reputation: Building a reputation and experience allows you to charge a premium for your expert skills and professionalism.
- Overhead/other expenses: Always account for overhead expenses when writing invoices, including travel, equipment, software, marketing, transportation, venue, and reservations.
Not sure if DJ insurance is worth the investment? Discover why you need it.
Tips for Making More Money as a DJ
If you’re just starting your DJ career, it may be challenging to earn a living on gigs alone. However, it can also take anywhere from 10 to 30 hours a week to create setlists and prep for jobs.
Many up-and-coming DJs choose to work “day jobs” that offer part-time hours or flexible scheduling to accommodate their needs. As you grow your business and earn more income from your DJ business, you can dedicate more time to your spinning tracks.
Another way to supplement your income is to sell merchandise. Items like stickers, patches, and t-shirts are relatively easy to make and sell at your gigs (assuming your client allows it). This is a great way to get your logo out in front of more people in addition to padding your income a bit.
Finally, make sure to establish your business properly to reinforce your professionalism. Get a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax purposes, register for a business license in your state, follow Corporate Transparency Act guidelines, obtain any venue or location-specific permits, and protect your career with DJ insurance.
Common Questions About How Much DJs Make
Do DJs Make a Lot of Money?
Absolutely! Per ZipRecruiter, a DJ’s average salary is $85,596 or $41 an hour. How much DJs make a night depends on the event and popularity, but it can range anywhere from $300 to $100,000.
Other factors that affect your paycheck and how much you should charge include credentials like DJ insurance and a license, overhead expenses, location, cost of living, and niche/industry.
Can You Make a Living as a DJ?
Yes, you can make a living as a DJ, but it takes time. To boost your chances of earning a livable salary, you need to build a reputation and book plenty of jobs. Some effective strategies for landing DJ gigs include finding your niche, networking, attending conferences and competitions, getting an agent, and marketing.
Khaleel Hayes | Copywriter
Licensed insurance agent in the state of Colorado and fully trained in Insurance Canopy coverage, copywriter Khaleel Hayes writes about DJ and Entertainer policies and products. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Before working at Veracity, Hayes worked as an Amazon warehouse worker, a B2B writer for software consultancy SelectHub, and a freelancer for numerous publications in the Mile High City.
Licensed insurance agent in the state of Colorado and fully trained in Insurance Canopy coverage, copywriter Khaleel Hayes writes about DJ and Entertainer policies and products. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Before working at Veracity, Hayes worked as an Amazon warehouse worker, a B2B writer for software consultancy SelectHub, and a freelancer for numerous publications in the Mile High City.
