Do DJs Really Earn as Much as People Say?
There are still mixed opinions about DJing as a career. Some say it pays extremely well and has a bright future; others see it as a rather “party-going” job with unstable income and more temptations than benefits. These somewhat negative views leave some people unsure whether to pursue DJing at all. In this post, Muse Inc shares the facts and its own view on how much DJs earn and whether it's realistic to make a living as a DJ.
1. What does a DJ do?
To understand DJs better, we first need to know what the job actually involves.
First of all, DJ stands for disc jockey – the name for people who work with music, choosing and playing tracks. What sets them apart is that they shape the sound every time they perform: the music is reworked in melody and style to suit different audiences. That makes the DJ a key figure at parties and celebrations. A DJ can bring everyone in a room together with energetic music and get the crowd going at a party or in a bar or club. So people who learn to DJ and work as DJs tend to be highly creative and passionate about music.
There are many kinds of DJs, but to keep it simple they're usually split into 2 common types:
- Remixers: DJs who specialize in remixing tracks around a theme and, crucially, to suit the crowd at the party. Each track can be remixed in many different ways.
- Mixers: DJs who don't need to rework the music the way remixers do – they simply select and combine tracks that have already been produced.
2. Do DJs really earn as much as people say?
DJing is an artistic profession, and as you know, artists these days earn quite well. What's more, demand for entertainment in bars, clubs and at events keeps growing, so there's never a shortage of work for DJs.
Each DJ's income depends on their fame, experience and the type of performance. But overall, the average DJ earns quite well. If you play regular shifts at a bar or club, your fee per shift will be around 500,000 VND – 3,000,000 VND. Event shows pay a bit more: on average 5–10 million VND per show. Better-known DJs can earn tens or even hundreds of millions of dong. And finally, festivals are where DJs earn the most, usually several hundred million dong; however, to play festivals you need to be a well-known DJ with plenty of experience.
3. Can you make a living as a DJ?
If you've decided to become a DJ, you don't need to worry about fees. With a regular slot at a bar or club you can play around 3 nights a week, and you'll also have the chance to pick up event shows. Based on the income figures Muse Inc shared above, you can comfortably support yourself as a DJ.
However, as DJing grows more popular, competition is pretty fierce too. So to build a solid footing and earn more, you need a smart direction and a development plan that suits you. The first thing to do is study and train your skills to a truly professional level. Next, build your image and a style that makes you stand out. And finally, make plenty of connections in the DJ community to widen your job opportunities and keep learning from others.
Take a look at the DJ courses at Muse Academy – one of Vietnam's leading DJ training academies, part of Muse Inc. Courses at Muse Inc are consistently highly rated thanks to experienced, professional DJ instructors such as DJ Phatbeatz, DJ Napple, DJ Anh Tuấn and DJ Zackie, and a curriculum designed to Pioneer DJ School standards. On top of that, the facilities and equipment are modern and meet international standards, and you get to practice in a private practice room. During the course you'll also get help building your image and defining your style. What's more, as Vietnam's leading electronic music and DJ company, Muse Inc can support you with work after you graduate if you'd like to collaborate, helping you perform at bars and pubs and at events large and small.
We hope this post from Muse Inc has given you the basics on DJ income and helps you decide whether DJing is the career for you.
