DJ Pricing: The Inside Scoop

You can find $500 DJs and you can find $5000 DJs.  What’s the difference? Demand!  I hate to break it to you, but none of us are in this business because we’re bored every Friday and Saturday night – we’re in this business to make money.  To do that, we will charge the most we possibly can while still keeping our calendars full.

Depending on the area your venue is in and the type of event you’re hosting, DJ prices generally range from $100 to $300 per hour.  Lower priced DJs are typically newer to the business or have poor ratings.  Higher priced DJs are generally those that have been around for quite a while and have built up a large client and referral base – and consistently deliver five star service.  The super high priced DJs often have extensive light and effect shows along with a lot of other bells and whistles.  When it comes to DJs, you truly get what you pay for.

The question you need to ask yourself is this – how important is good entertainment for your event?  If all you need is someone to play a few songs and aren’t interested in MC services or great lights and effects, go ahead and save a few bucks with a low price DJ.  If, on the other hand, you are looking for a true entertainment professional, you’ll want to plan on spending a little more for a higher rated DJ. If you want a huge show, plan on spending a lot more.

Don’t stress yourself out, though.  If you can’t afford to spend much on the DJ, you may still be able to find a good deal.  You’ll just need to do a lot more research – checking reviews on multiple sites, chatting with past clients, and stopping in to one of your prospective DJ’s events to see him or her in action. You might be able to find a great DJ that is just starting out and trying to build the business!