How much do DJs get paid in the UK?

Whether you’ve been DJing in your bedroom for a while or are completely new to the industry, you may want to learn more about your potential career prospects.

If so, we don’t blame you for wondering—how much do DJs get paid in the UK?

Since DJs work in various settings, the answer isn’t straightforward. But don’t worry—we’ve covered everything you need to know about DJ salary in the UK, including tips for boosting your earnings.

How much do DJs get paid in the UK?

UK Talent says the average DJ salary in the UK is £30,000.

However, Payscale presents £22k-£102k as the total pay range, which paints an entirely different picture.

It’s easy to see a pattern here. While it’s true that most DJ salaries lie somewhere in this range, it’s impossible to pinpoint an exact average figure, as the truth is that salary differs hugely depending on many factors.

These include the individual’s experience level, specialisms, work setting, whether they use their own equipment, etc.

We cover more on these factors below so you have a clearer idea of how your career choices can impact your salary as a DJ.

DJ salary by role 

1. Wedding DJ salary 

Through building your reputation through online reviews and word-of-mouth, you can build quite a lucrative career as a wedding DJ without having to work completely unsocial hours and adapt your entire lifestyle.

Most wedding DJs charge somewhere in the range of £500-£1,000 for a full set, depending on their experience level and reputation.

For example, if you did two weddings per week as an experienced but competitively priced DJ, you could earn around £1200 per week before tax.

But consider that a portion of this money will go towards transport costs, as you’ll be required to travel quite far for some weddings. You’ll also have to bring your own equipment to most venues, which is where specialist insurance could be useful.

Remember that the main wedding season is during the spring and summer, so things could get quieter in autumn and winter.

If you’re starting out, you may need to plan your year ahead of time and perform in other settings to fill any income gaps.

Related: How to get wedding DJ gigs

2. Radio DJ salary 

It’s easier to gauge the take-home pay when it comes to radio presenting than DJing at events.

This is because radio DJs work for a specific radio station instead of gigging on a freelance basis or as part of their own entertainment company.

Glassdoor reports that the average salary for radio presenters is £46,540, and Payscale gives the average range of £20k-£50k, which is likely an accurate figure.

It’s worth noting that a career as a presenter is entirely possible if you’re willing to undertake an entry-level role or even volunteer work within a radio station—it’s more about building a rapport and working your way up.

Your salary will increase significantly depending on your experience and the size of the studio you work for.

Related: BBC’s highest-paid radio DJs

3. Club DJ salary 

If you’re wondering how much DJs get paid in the UK for working in a nightclub, you’re in the right place.

There’s a lot of conflicting information online due to no real industry standard regarding how much a DJ earns for a specific gig, and many venues operate their own rules.

We can certainly give an overview of how much DJs are paid in the UK—bear in mind that the exact figures will vary depending on several factors, including:

• your current experience level
• venue capacity
• venue set-up
• whether it’s a chain or independent venue
• whether it’s a weekday or weekend gig

If you’re completely new to the industry, you can expect to get paid towards the lower end of the scale, which is £80-£100 per night.

You may find it easier to gain work at student bars open during the week, with either free entry or cheap drinks—these venues pay less but are more willing to work with less experienced DJs.

Alternatively, many clubs with a high capacity will pay £30-£50 per hour for warm-up DJs, which is great for those who want to get their foot in the door.

Got some experience under your belt? If so, you should comfortably earn somewhere in the range of £150-£300 per night, the higher figure being reserved for more experienced DJs.

This is the closest figure we can get to an industry average, particularly on Saturday nights—by far the busiest of the week.

You’ll find that clubs with entry fees will pay more, and chain clubs will have a more fixed payment structure than independent venues, which can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on each case.

Wondering how much do top DJs get paid per set? We don’t blame you, as it’s always a good idea to have a vision for the scope of your career. Check out this list of the 30 richest DJs in the world to get a better idea.

To maximise your salary as a club DJ, not only do you need to build your brand, but you also need to put yourself out there and network with others in the industry.

Building a reputation through word-of-mouth is paramount, boosting your likelihood of being head-hunted for gigs and residencies.

Related: The 7 best DJ controllers for beginners

How to boost your DJ salary in the UK 

1. Find your niche 

Once you’ve been DJing for a few years, you can enhance your career by choosing a niche to help you stand out against the crowd.

Thinking about your heroes and looking into who they were inspired by can help you understand how you want to pave your way in your career.

You can delve into the parts of their journey that inspire you the most and carry the torch forward by adding your unique twist.

Check out DJ Krosfader’s tips on finding your DJ niche for inspiration.

2. Make your own opportunities 

We touched on this earlier, but actively contacting venues and seeking out gigs is hugely important. Be bold and contact larger or more prestigious venues once you have some experience.

Putting yourself out there could land you opportunities you wouldn’t have otherwise had—if a bigger DJ cannot play, for example, you could be their first port of call, and things could snowball from there.

Just reaching out to a radio station and asking for a chance to get involved or asking a DJ if you can shadow them at one of their gigs could give you that gateway you need to get started in the industry.  

3. Use social media to grow your brand 

Leading on from the above, being active on social media is another important aspect of earning a higher DJ salary.

It’s the perfect place to showcase your abilities to potential head-hunters, such as venues looking for talent to hire or to approach for a residency. You’ll stand out more if your posts are hitting the mark.

Not only this, but it’s key to marketing yourself to a larger audience. The more you niche down and find your sound, you’ll gain more followers who enjoy your work because it aligns directly with their tastes.

You’ll become known as ‘the DJ who mixes old classics with trending styles’, for example, or the one who wears a giant marshmallow mask. Don’t be afraid to be creative and incorporate your personality when building your persona—this is what audiences go wild for.

Having a larger following will, in turn, make you more in demand by audiences and venues and mean you can begin to charge more for your DJ work.  

TikTok and Instagram are the best platforms for growing your brand as a DJ, as this is where most of your target demographic will be.

Specialist DJ insurance with Insure4Music 

Now you’re clued up on how to maximise your DJ salary, you may also want to protect yourself and your equipment through specialist DJ insurance.

At Insure4Music, the Equipment Cover protects your gear against theft, loss, and damage, both in and out of your home.

Public Liability cover is also available up to £5m, which protects you against third-party claims if you’re deemed responsible for an accident that causes damage to property or injury to a person at a gig.

Click here to learn more about how we can help or get an instant online quote today.