How Much Does a DJ Make? Salary by State
Median hourly wage (U.S.)
$21.61
DJs in the U.S. earn a median of $21.61 an hour. Half of DJs earn more than $21.61 and half earn less.
Pay percentiles for DJs
| Percentile | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th | $13.50 |
| 25th | $16.91 |
| 50th (median) | $21.61 |
| 75th | $37.50 |
| 90th | $60.17 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Disc Jockeys, Except Radio (SOC 27-2091). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only hourly wages for DJs, because many work part-time, seasonal or irregular schedules, so a full-year salary would be misleading. We do not convert these figures to a yearly salary.
Highest-paying states for DJs
| State | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $54.55 | +152% |
| Wisconsin | $27.69 | +28% |
| South Dakota | $27.27 | +26% |
| North Carolina | $26.30 | +22% |
| New York | $25.51 | +18% |
| Illinois | $22.87 | +6% |
| Washington | $22.79 | +5% |
| Idaho | $22.33 | +3% |
| Arizona | $22.15 | +2% |
| Tennessee | $21.75 | +1% |
| United States | $21.61 | — |
Top 10 states by median hourly wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many DJs are there?
BLS counts about 7,920 DJs employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Disc Jockeys, Except Radio”. The most jobs are in California (2,190), Texas (820) and New York (450).
Frequently asked questions
How much do DJs make an hour?
The median hourly wage for DJs is $21.61. The middle 50% earn between $16.91 and $37.50 an hour.
Which state pays DJs the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage for DJs at $54.55, +152% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for DJs?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of DJs earn less than $13.50 an hour, a common proxy for entry-level pay.