Rates, 2026
What should a DJ charge in a major city?
About $1,100 a day for a DJ who is working and booked in a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin. $700 in the first years, $1,525 when senior. An event runs about $1,625.
Other markets: New York or LA · remote · a smaller market
First years
$700
a day · $90 an hour
Working, booked
$1,100
a day · $150 an hour
Senior, sought after
$1,525
a day · $200 an hour
The rate card, working level
- Day rate$1,100 per day
- Hourlyfor anything that does not fit a day$150 per hour
- An event$1,625 per project
Sold a project fee, by the day. The outcome is the unit; the day rate is for when a client wants your time instead.
What to charge for each thing
Ranges for a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin: the low end is the first years, the high end is senior. Working and booked sits in the middle.
- Wedding$1,275 to $3,400 each
- Corporate or private party$675 to $2,125 each
- Bar or club night$250 to $850 each
- Extra hour$125 to $350 per hour
- Lighting and sound package$250 to $850 each
How the number is made
DJs at this level in this market day at about $1,100 ($600 to $2,000 in New York and LA). Put in the year you actually want on the perfect price page and the number moves with it.
An event runs $800 to $3,000 and takes about 6 hours of your time; at your hourly that is $900. The number is the higher of the two, because the client is buying the outcome, not the hours.
Questions
- What is a fair day rate for a DJ in a major city like Chicago, Atlanta, Miami or Austin?
- About $1,100 a day for someone working and booked, $700 in the first years, $1,525 when senior and sought after. Half days usually run 60% of the day.
- How much is an event?
- $1,625 at a working level in this market. The client is buying the outcome, so the price is the higher of what the market pays for it and what your hours in it are worth.
- Are these rates a rule?
- No. They are US 2026 ranges for the role, placed by level and moved for the market. What a client actually paid you beats all of it. The tool has a box for that, and it wins.
Your number, in five seconds.
Pick your level and market, get a card you can send the next client who asks. Then RostrLab quotes, papers, invoices and chases every job with it: free for 14 days, $29 a month, never a cut.