Richest DJs in the world

Kriss Darling, one of the few Kenyan DJs who have soldiered on as individuals. Photo/FILE

What you need to know:

  • The upper echelon of DJs can earn between $500,000 and $1 million. Not only do they get paid to do live shows, but DJs also make fortunes from merchandise sales, licensing, music sales and endorsements. In other words, DJs have become the new rockstar. And just like their Rock’n’roll counterparts, DJs now have private jets, mansions, groupies and celebrity girlfriends.

The guys who make you dance and who make the party kick are not paid in hugs. celebritynetworth.com has compiled a list of some of the richest disc jokeys in the world and it is mind boggling.

According to the website; “In the last two years, thanks largely social media, EDM DJs have become the main attractions at music festivals like Coachella. They are selling millions of records and millions of concert tickets.”

For the first time in history, some of the top DJs are even selling out 20,000 seat arenas like Madison Square Garden and the Staples Center. Not surprisingly, with great success also comes great reward. A popular DJ can easily earn $100,000 for a single night’s work.

The upper echelon of DJs can earn between $500,000 and $1 million. Not only do they get paid to do live shows, but DJs also make fortunes from merchandise sales, licensing, music sales and endorsements. In other words, DJs have become the new rockstar. And just like their Rock’n’roll counterparts, DJs now have private jets, mansions, groupies and celebrity girlfriends.

“For the second year in a row, Tiesto is the richest DJ in the world,” wrote celebritynetworth.com. “The Dutch born DJ topped our list last year with a net worth of $65 million and today we estimate that Tiesto is sitting on a $75 million bank account.”

Tiesto earns an average of $250,000 per night and brought home more than $20 million last year alone (before the brutal 52% Netherlands tax rate). Tiesto flies around the world in a customized private Gulfstream jet. Another DJ who has been very busy this year is the 25 year old Skrillex.

In the last 12 months, Skrillex doubled his networth from $8 million to $16 million. He also earned an estimated $15 million in the last 12 months alone, on top of winning three Grammys.

The duo of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, better known as Daft Punk, saw their net worths explode thanks to continued licensing deals, royalties, music sales and merchandise.

Their highly anticipated fourth album “Random Access Memories” was released in May 2013 and quickly became the fastest selling album of 2013. Their single “Get Lucky” has been number one on the UK music charts for five weeks and under a month became the most streamed song in the history of Spotify.

Other DJs who brought home serious cash last year include Swedish House Mafia ($15 million), David Guetta ($14 million), Steve Aoki ($13 million), Deadmau5 ($12 million), DJ Pauly D ($11 million), Kaskade ($10 million), Afrojack ($9 million) and the 23 year old Swedish DJ Avicii who earned a whopping $8 million and toured with Madonna.

1: Tiesto – $75 million

2: Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (Daft Punk) – $60 million
3: Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk) - $60 million

4: Paul Oakenfold – $58 million

5: Paul van Dyk – $52 million

6: John Digweed – $45 million
7: Armin Van Buuren – $40 million

8: Judge Jules – $42 million

9: Sasha – $40 million
10: Pete Tong – $32 million

11: Moby – $30 million
12: David Guetta – $30 million

13: Steve Aoki – $28 million

14: Fatboy Slim – $23 million
15: The Chemical Brothers – $20 million

16: Ferry Corsten – $19 million

17: Deadmau5 – $18 million

18: Carl Cox – $16 million

19: Skrillex – $16 million

20: Benny Benassi – $15 million

21: DJ Pauly D – $15 million (Sad but true)

22: Sven Vath – $14 million

23: Jeffrey Sutorius (Dash Berlin) – $13.5 million
24: Calvin Harris – $13 million

25: Avicii – $12 million