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The 25 Richest DJs In The World

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Richest DJs In The World

The richest DJs in the world perform at the biggest festivals and clubs around the globe and are responsible for producing some of the biggest chart hits of the last few decades.

Covering a wide range of genres, including house, electro-pop, and techno, these titans of talent have helped shape the music industry while amassing monumental net worths.

Read on to discover how the world’s highest-paid DJs amassed their fortunes and became the wealthiest DJs on the planet. 

 

The Richest DJs In The World

We’ve covered the career highlights, chart-topping releases, and sell-out tours that contribute to the enormous net worths of these world-class DJs.

Here’s our list of the 25 richest DJs in the world:

 

25. Sasha

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $40 Million

Underground dance music legend Sasha has long straddled the divide between a DJ and a producer, starting out playing acid house in the late 1980s before joining forces with John Digweed in 1993.

In addition to dozens of compilation albums he produced with Digweed, Sasha has worked on remixes for Madonna, The Chemical Brothers, and Hot Chip and produced a series of solo singles and albums.

Sasha’s DJing expertise has long been acknowledged; he’s responsible for pioneering the use of computers and using Ableton Live with turntables to craft unique sets that command high fees and have helped him build his $40 million net worth.

 

24. Axwell

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $40 Million

A member of Swedish House Mafia, Axwell has earned a solid reputation as a solo DJ in addition to his work with the Scandinavian collective, breaking through with his 2004 single, Feel The Vibe.

More club and chart hits came over the following years, with his remix of Sweet Disposition in collaboration with Dirty South earning Axwell a nomination for the 53rd Grammy Awards.

Axwell continues to produce music and DJ extensively, reuniting with the Swedish House Mafia in 2019 for a reunion tour and launching the Axtone Academy, contributing to his net worth of $40 million.

 

23. Alesso

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $40 Million

Swedish DJ and record producer Alesso is one of the youngest richest DJs in the world; and began his career DJing as a teenager, inspired by Sebastian Ingrosso of Swedish House Mafia.

Alesso’s hugely popular DJ sets show off the versatility of the best DJ controllers, and he’s performed at some of the biggest international festivals, including Tomorrowland, Creamfields, and Electric Daisy Carnival.

His unique music style incorporates melodic vibes with classic rave beats and has earned him a Best Progressive Track award for Calling (Lose My Mind) at the 2012 International Dance Music Awards.

 

22. Judge Jules

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $42 Million

Like John Digweed, British DJ and record producer Judge Jules earned much of his vast net worth by releasing dance music compilation albums, putting out a mammoth 46 compilation albums alongside his solo albums, singles, and EPs.

Having worked in the music business since 1987, Judge Jules earns additional income by working as an entertainment lawyer and, at one point, was a contributor to the UK-based music magazine Soul Underground.

He’s made many appearances on television shows throughout his career and has held residencies at some of the leading nightclubs in Ibiza, contributing to his impressive $42 million net worth.

 

21. John Digweed

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $48 Million

Like Paul Oakenfold, John Digweed has been a staple fixture of the UK dance music scene since the 1990s, often collaborating with iconic DJ and record producer Sasha and appearing in one of the best DJ movies ever made.

One of the core promotors of progressive house, Digweed’s career exploded with a series of compilation albums under the Sasha & John Digweed brand and a series of popular singles under the Bedrock moniker.

He’s appeared on the DJ Magazine top 100 rankings on numerous occasions beginning in 1997, while various mainstream radio shows made him a household name with a net worth of $48 million.

 

20. Zedd

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $50 Million

Russian DJ Anton Zaslavski, who goes by the stage name Zedd, was raised in Germany, where he began his music career working in house, electro house, and progressive house genres.

In 2012 he released his first single, Clarity, for which he won a Grammy Award for the Best Dance Recording and was ranked 8th on the Billboard Hot 100.

Zedd has produced several albums and singles throughout his career to date, while work with A-list performers including Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Foxes has further enhanced his net worth.

 

19. Paul Oakenfold

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $50 Million

English record producer and trance DJ Paul Oakenfold is no stranger to winning dance music industry awards, having received the Best Techno DJ award in the 1999 and 2000 DJ Awards.

His career began well before then, including a DJ residency at the iconic Heaven club in Charing Cross, London, in 1987, at the height of the UK’s “Summer of Love” rave scene.

The vast net worth he’s accumulated throughout his career comes from the many hit tracks he’s released and from his role as head of Isina, a worldwide talent search and development mentor program.

Throughout his illustrious career, Paul Oakenfold has worked with artists including Moby, U2, Madonna, Britney Spears, and Massive Attack.

 

18. Marshmello

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $50 Million

Like Deadmau5 and Daft Punk, Marshmello helped carve out a distinctive niche by wearing his trademark cross-eyed marshmello mask.

Real name Christopher Comstock, Marshmello arrived on the scene in 2015, producing many award-winning mixtapes and singles spanning genres like future bass, trap, and progressive house genres.

When Marshmello signed to one of the best artist management companies in the music industry, Kobalt Music, his career accelerated, with hit studio albums and extended plays dominating electronic music charts.

Nominated for several awards throughout his career, Marshmello won the Best Song in the Pop/Electronic category at the MTV Europe Music Awards for Happier in 2019.

 

17. Kaskade

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $50 Million

Music industry veteran DJ and producer Kaskade started his career in the music business in 1989 and has since become one of the highest-paid DJs in the world.

Releasing his debut single, What I Say, in 2001, he followed this with Steppin’ Out, which reached number 5 on Billboard Magazine’s Hot Dance Club Playlist.

Official tours spanning the years 2003 to 2017 have helped him secure his impressive $50 million net worth, and he’s been placed on America’s Best DJ Award lists many times, including taking the top spot in 2011 and 2013.

 

16. Diplo

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $50 Million

American DJ, songwriter, and producer Diplo is the lead member and co-creator of electronic dancehall music project Major Lazer and a member of the supergroup LSD.

After founding the Mad Decent record label in 2006, Diplo worked with world-class artists, including Justin Bieber, Gwen Stefani, and Chris Brown.

His crowd-pleasing DJ sets in venues such as the legendary Fabric club in London, UK, have earned him international acclaim and a following of loyal fans worldwide.

 

15. Deadmau5

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $50 Million

Canadian DJ and record producer Deadmau5, whose real name is Joel Thomas Zimmerman, cut his teeth producing progressive house music in the late 1990s.

Known for his iconic mouse headgear, which he wears during his DJ sets and live shows, he’s released dozens of singles since the early 2000s, even appearing as a playable avatar in the 2010 DJ simulation game, DJ Hero 2.

Deadmau5 has won numerous awards throughout his career, including three International Dance Music Awards, and has been nominated for Grammy Award on six occasions.

Like Steve Aoki, Deadmau5 has recently embraced crypto and NFTs, appearing at events such as the ETHDenver crypto conference with DJ Tiësto and Major Lazer.

 

14. Armin Van Buuren

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $55 Million

Like Paul Van Dyk, Armin Van Buuren has been working as a DJ and record producer since the 1990s and has featured as DJ Magazine’s number one DJ five times in four consecutive years.

With an extensive discography of tunes often included in the best house music record pools, Armin Van Buuren earned a Grammy Award nomination for his single, This Is What It Feels Like, in 2014.

Currently, Van Burren hosts the hit radio show A State of Tranche, which reaches 40 million listeners worldwide and continues to DJ and produce music and teach a MasterClass course to help new DJs develop their skills.

 

13. Paul Van Dyk

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $60 Million

German DJ and electronic music producer Paul Van Dyk has been active on the scene for more time than most of the highest-paid DJs working today, starting his career as a trance DJ in the early 1990s.

A pioneer of the scene, Paul Van Dyk helped define electronic music, selling over 3 million albums worldwide by 2008 and becoming the first DJ to be named number one by Mixmag in 2005.

The first artist to be nominated in the 2003 Grammy Awards when they introduced the Best Dance/Electronic Album category, he’s been consistently prolific throughout his career.

Record labels he’s been featured on include Spinnin’, Perfecto Records, Deviant, and Universal Music, with music sales and DJing appearances helping him build a net worth of around $60 million.

 

12. Afrojack

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $60 Million

Afrojack proves you can have plenty of fun choosing a DJ name, and the famous Dutch DJ has earned a cool $60 million throughout his career as a DJ and record producer.

Afrojack started spinning records in local pubs and clubs at the age of 14 and has since released a list of hits, many of them in collaboration with high profile stars such as Beyonce, Madonna, and Snoop Dogg.

Much of Afro Jack’s net worth has come through tracks released on his label, Wall Recordings, and his role as Chief Executive Officer of LDH Europe.

His standout tracks include Another Life featuring David Guetta, Bed of Roses, and Dirty Sexy Money, which went platinum in Australia.

 

11. Skrillex

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $70 Million

World-famous DJ Skrillex is one of the defining performers of the EDM music scene who has amassed an estimated net worth of $70 million since he began his career.

Born Sonny John Moore, Skrillex adopted his moniker in 2008 while working in clubs throughout Los Angeles before signing to deadmau5’s label and joining him on a nationwide tour.

His net worth comes from an extensive discography and several hit singles and EPs, with his work on music videos further increasing his marketability and core appeal.

Winner of an outstanding eight Grammy Awards, Skrillex has been a consistent fixture on DJ magazine’s top 100 DJs since 2011, hitting 24th place in 2021.

 

10. Andrew Taggart

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $80 Million

The other member of The Chainsmokers is Andrew Taggart, who contributed to the production of their best-selling dance records and their sell-out DJ tours.

Their live sets offer a great insight into how DJ duos work for aspiring performers looking to replicate their energetic style, as exemplified by their outstanding DJ set performed at the Hakkasan Night Club in Las Vegas in 2019.

Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall continue to tour extensively and produce studio albums, including 2022’s So Far So Good.

 

9. Alex Pall

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $80 Million

One half of the American DJ duo The Chainsmokers, Alex Pall, has produced a series of tracks and albums that have achieved significant commercial success.

Following the release of their 2014 hit single #Selfie, the outfit went on to win a string of awards, including a Grammy Award and seven Billboard Music Awards.

In 2019, The Chainsmokers were ranked as the highest-paid DJs in the world according to Forbes magazine, knocking Calvin Harris off the top spot.

 

8. Thomas Bangalter

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $90 Million

The other half of the iconic duo, Daft Punk, Thomas Bangalter, has been responsible for transforming house and EDM into one of the most popular music genres in the world. 

His post-Daft Punk and solo production work demonstrate an eclectic approach to his profession, including soundtracks to movies such as Gaspar Noe’s Irreversible and production work on Arcade Fire’s album Everything Now.

His impressive net worth reflects his multi-talented approach to the industry, spanning film direction and singing, and his work as a DJ and record producer.

 

7. Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $90 Million

Guillaume Emmanuel “Guy-Manuel” de Homem-Christo needs no introduction for fans of the legendary house music duo Daft Punk, who formed the outfit with Thomas Bangalter.

Their debut album, Homework, made them international stars overnight, and de Homem-Christo has been at the forefront of the house music scene ever since.

Co-founder of the Le Knight Club group, along with Eric Chedeville from Pumpkin Records, he continues to produce dancefloor hits and DJ extensively.

His net worth has been further enhanced through his production work, including working on tracks for Sebastien Tellier, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and The Weeknd.

 

6. Swedish House Mafia

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $100 Million

House music collective Swedish House Mafia was first formed in 2008 and consists of members Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso.

Described by EDM Lounge as “the face of mainstream progressive house music,” the group earned their biggest hit with Don’t You Worry Child in 2012.

Swedish House Mafia has been nominated for many awards, most notably picking up no less than ten accolades from the International Dance Music Awards between 2010 and 2013.

With a combined estimated net worth of $100 million, their success looks set to continue with the 2022 release of their debut album, Paradise Again.

 

5. Steve Aoki

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $120 Million

American DJ, record producer, and music executive Steve Aoki has consistently ranked as one of the highest-paid DJs in the world, earning his income from sell-out tours and a string of hit tracks.

His international breakthrough came in 2012 with the release of the album Wonderland, which was followed by collaborations with will.i.am The Backstreet Boys, and Linkin Park.

He has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Best Set of the Season award at the 2007 DJ Awards and the Chiuku Award for MTV Latin America in 2015.

More recently, the megastar has been making waves in the world of cryptocurrencies, as well as continuing to show commitment to philanthropy through the Steve Aoki charitable fund.

 

4. David Guetta

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $150 Million

David Guetta is a French DJ and record producer who has amassed 50 million global record sales and 10 billion streams, straddling various electronic dance music genres, including house and dance-pop.

His 2009 breakthrough album One Love hit the top of the charts in numerous countries and was named the Best Electronic/Dance Album at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.

Collaborations with Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Black Eyed Peas helped secure his reputation as the go-to producer for hit commercial tracks.

With a career that goes back to his residency at the Broad Club in Paris in 1984, he continues to draw a paycheck from his live performances of approximately $15 million each year.

 

3. Tiësto

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $170 Million

Dutch DJ and record producer DJ Tiësto has plenty of experience working in the music industry, having founded his first record label, Black Hole Recordings, way back in 1997.

Voted by DJ mag readers as the best DJ of the last 20 years, his career highlights include headlining music festivals to a dazzling performance at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympics.

With an average nightly gross income of around $250,000, DJ Tiësto’s net worth is currently an impressive $170 million, with no signs of his career stopping any time soon.

With seven best-selling albums to his name, DJ Tiësto remains one of the best DJs in the world and continues to dominate electronic dance music charts.

 

2. Gianluca Vacchi

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $200 Million

Italian social media personality and DJ Gianluca Vacchi has amassed his impressive $200 million net worth through a variety of revenue sources in addition to DJing.

An entrepreneur and author, Vacchi has gained over 15 million followers on his Instagram account and has his own designer watch company, ToyWatch.

His first venture into music came in 2017 with the release of Viento on Spinnin’ Records, and he continues to release music across a range of labels, including the recent hit Mama Africa.

Famous for his tattooed physique, Vacchi consistently remains in the media spotlight thanks to his ostentatious lifestyle and celebrity status in Italy.

 

1. Calvin Harris

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Net Worth: $300 Million

Calvin Harris – real name Adam Richard Wiles, is a Scottish DJ, record producer, and singer-songwriter who found international fame after collaborating with Rihanna in 2011, We Found Love.

His 2012 album, 18 Months, topped the Uk album charts the following year, catapulting his career and making him the most in-demand DJ in the world.

Winner of 32 industry awards, including four MTV Video Music Awards and a Grammy Award, he’s the first artist to have three songs in the top 10 Billboard Dance charts at the same time.

Spanning EDM, electro-house, and dance-pop genres, his work has appeared on labels including Ministry of Sound, Fly Eye, Roc Nation, and some of the best DJ record pools online.

 

Summary

That wraps up this roundup of the richest DJs in the world, covering the high points of their careers and the songs that helped them define their styles.

Be sure to check back in the future, as we’ll update this article to reflect the most accurate information as their net worths fluctuate.

Which one of the richest DJs in the world is your favorite? Leave a comment below.

Andy has been producing music since the early days of Cubase and spent much of the 2000s mixing house and techno with his trusty Technics 1200s. Fast forward two decades, you'll find him in his home studio experimenting with the latest music production software, tinkering with Ableton plug-ins, and occasionally trying (and failing) to complete Cuphead for the hundredth time.