You may love your favorite DJ’s music, but you’re probably totally unaware of just how much cash they pull in. Not only do they make plenty of cash from their live performances and their albums, but they also get money from sponsorships and other deals. Some are even sponsored by headphone companies — which may be why some DJs choose the headphones that they do.
So how much do your favorite DJs make? Here’s a list of some of the world’s highest-paid DJs.
Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris has been one of the highest-paid DJs in the world for some time now. Between releasing hit after hit, collaborating with plenty of famous artists, and even finding enough time to date Taylor Swift for a while, the DJ is seriously raking in the cash. Just how much cash? Well, in 2016 the DJ scored a massive $63 million — though in 2017 he took a slight pay-cut of a still very impressive $48.5 million.
Marshmello
Marshmello may look a little silly, but he has reason to smile — the DJ scored a hefty $21 million in 2017, thanks in large to a busy touring schedule. Marshmello has becoe known for some pretty high-profile collaborations, including one with Selena Gomez and another with Migos.
The Chainsmokers
The Chainsmokers had a pretty stellar year last year too. According to Forbes’ list of world’s highest-paid DJ’s, the duo scored a pretty impressive $38 million — making them among the highest-paid DJs out there. The Chainsmokers are known for a number of high-profile collaborations, and perhaps the best known is their work with Halsey for the song “Closer,” and their collaboration with Coldplay, which resulted in “Something Just Like This.”
Tiësto
Tiësto has had a pretty stellar few years too. The Dutch DJ earned a mammoth $38 million in 2016, then stepping things up to a slightly more $39 million for 2017. That’s not a bad effort. Tiësto is known for some pretty great collaborations, including ones with Diplo, Aloe Blacc, and more.
David Guetta
David Guetta has been known at times in his career as arguably the best DJ in the world, and a big part of that has to do with his work producing songs like “I Gotta Feeling,” “One Love,” and more. In 2017, the French DJ scored a pretty great $25 million, which is no small feat.
Martin Garrix
Martin Garrix is one of the youngest DJs on this list, at a ripe age of 21, but he’s already accomplished a ton. In 2017, Forbes’ highest-paid DJs list noted that the “up-and-comer” had earned a massive $19.5 million. That’s not bad for someone who only just reached legal drinking age in the U.S.
Steve Aoki
Steve Aoki isn’t anywhere as young as Martin Garrix, but he does prove that youth isn’t necessarily the only way to make a ton of money. Aoki is known for collaborations with the likes of will.i.am, Iggy Azalea, Fall Out Boy, and more. Those collaborations, it turns out, have earned him quite a ton of cash — he scored a hefty $23.5 million in 2016.
Skrillex
Skrillex may have dropped off in popularity a little of late, but that doesn’t mean he’s not making any cash. In fact, turns out he is. The DJ earned a massive $20 million in 2016, which isn’t bad at all. Skrillex is perhaps best-known for being one of the fathers of dubstep.
Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
The only duo on this list, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike are Greek DJs that have been on the up and up for some time now. At this point, the pair are making millions of dollars per month — in fact, they came 10th on Forbes’ list of highest-paid DJs for 2016 with a huge $15.5 million.
Afrojack
Last but not least on this list is Afrojack, who has been DJing since he was 14. Afrojack is dutch, and is best-known for collaborations with the likes of Madonna, as well as with other DJs, like David Guetta. So how much is he making these days? In 2016, Afrojack scored a whopping $15 million.