Calvin Harris is no longer the highest paid DJ after six years at Number 1

He's still earning the big bucks, though!

Author: Anna Sky Hulton and Emma DoddsPublished 20th Aug 2019
Last updated 10th Mar 2020

Forbes’ annual list of highest earning DJs has been revealed for 2019 and it includes a number of very well-known DJs such as David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Martin Garrix. American duo The Chainsmokers and secretive producer Marshmello were both newcomers to the list in 2017, and have once again been included in the Top 10.

For the first time in six years, Calvin Harris did NOT top the list - coming in third behind The Chainsmokers and Marshmello. Although he was the highest earner up until 2018, he's fallen short this year and has fallen to third place. Here's how the list looks in 2019...

Who is the highest paid DJ in the world in 2019?

1) The Chainsmokers - $46 million

2017 newcomers The Chainsmokers have outwitted Calvin Harris to become the highest-paid DJs in the world! Although Calvin has topped the list for six years, he's now been ousted by Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall, who have jumped up one place. In 2016, they released 'Closer' featuring Halsey which peaked at Number 1 in the UK, the following year they teamed up with Coldplay on 'Something Just Like This', which they first performed at The BRITs.

2) Marshmello - $40 million

Secretive DJ and producer Marshmello first appeared in this list in 2017 at Number 8, and in 2018 climbed up to Number 5. Now, the producer has made it to second place! His success is partly due to his success with collaborations from Selena Gomez ('Wolves') and 'Friends' with Anne-Marie.

3) Calvin Harris - $38.5 million

Despite topping the list for six years in a row, Calvin Harris has been shunted down to third place by The Chainsmokers and Marshmello. In 2019, his collaboration with Rag'N'Bone Man, 'Giant', has been a huge success.

4) Steve Aoki - $30 million

American DJ Steve Aoki has stayed at Number 4 in the list in 2019, having previously held the position in 2018 too.

5) Diplo - $25 million

Diplo, real name Thomas Wesley Pentz, is the lead member of Major Lazer as well as being a DJ in his own right, and has moved up to Number 5 from Number 7.

6) Tiësto - $24 million

Tiësto is a hugely popular DJ despite much of his music not appearing in the UK charts, but he makes a regular appearance on this list!

7) Martin Garrix - $19 million

Martin Garrix is also a regular on the list, and recently wowed fans with his song 'Summer Days', featuring Macklemore and Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy.

8) David Guetta - $18 million

French DJ David Guetta has maintained his position at Number 8 on the list, and has enjoyed huge success in 2019 with 'Stay' featuring Raye, and 'Never Be Alone' with Morten featuring Aloe Blacc.

9) Zedd - $17 million

German DJ Zedd first became famous in the UK with his hit 'Clarity' featuring Foxes. In 2019, he released '365' featuring Katy Perry.

10) Armin Van Buuren - $15 million

Armin Van Buuren is a Dutch DJ, and is well-known all over the world for his tracks and production credits. In 2019, he has released plenty of singles - including 'Lonely For You' featuring Bonnie McKee.

Now read about which DJs were the highest-paid artists from previous years...

2018: Top 10 highest earning DJs revealed

Forbes’ annual list of highest earning DJs was revealed for 2018 and included a number of very well-recognised DJs such as David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Martin Garrix. American duo The Chainsmokers and the secretive producer Marshmello were both newcomers to the list last year and have once again been included in the Top 10.

2018 DJ earnings ranked:

  1. Calvin Harris - $48 million: What a year Calvin Harris had! The Scottish DJ has been top of this list for six years in a row. This year, his big hit was 'One Kiss', a collaboration with Dua Lipa which was the second single from Calvin's upcoming album. It stayed at the top spot for eight consecutive weeks!
  1. The Chainsmokers - $45.5 million: Last year's newcomers, The Chainsmokers, have moved up a place earning $7,500,000 more than last year! In 2016 they released 'Closer' featuring Halsey which peaked at Number 1 in the UK, the following year they teamed up with Coldplay on 'Something Just Like This', which they first performed at The BRITs.
  1. Tiësto - $33 million: Tiësto is a hugely popular DJ despite much of his music not appearing in the UK charts. However, Tiësto's collaboration with Dzeko featuring Preme and Post Malone, 'Jackie Chan', peaked at Number 5 in the UK this year!
  1. Steve Aoki - $28 million: Despite only having one Top 10 hit in the UK - 'Just Hold On' with Louis Tomlinson - American DJ Steve Aoki is known for his on-stage antics including throwing cake into the crowd and jumping in an inflatable dinghy and crowd-surfing, Steve is a very popular DJ at festivals.
  1. Marshmello - $23 million: Secretive DJ and producer Marshmello first appeared in this list last year (2017) at Number 8, earning $21 million. This year he has climbed up to Number 5, partly due to his success with collaborations from Selena Gomez ('Wolves') and 'Friends' with Anne-Marie.

WATCH: Anne-Marie Is Planning Her Second Album

  1. Zedd - $22 million: German DJ Zedd first became famous in the UK with his hit 'Clarity' featuring Foxes. Since then, he has had a number of collaborations including, 'Stay the Night' with Hayley Williams, 'Stay' with Alessia Cara and most recently 'The Middle' with Maren Morris and Grey. 'The Middle' was famously turned down by 12 artists before it was finally picked up by Zedd.
  1. Diplo - $20 million: Diplo, real name Thomas Wesley Pentz, is the lead member of Major Lazer as well as being a DJ in his own right. Major Lazer are best-known in the UK for 'Cold Water' featuring Justin Bieber and MØ, released in 2016.
  1. David Guetta - $18 million: French DJ David Guetta is barely out of the charts with numerous collaborations under his belt. This year we have already had many releases including two fantastic hits, 'Flames' with Sia and 'Don't Leave Me Alone' with Anne-Marie.
  1. Kaskade - $13,500,000: Ryan Gary Raddon, better known by his stage name Kaskade, is an American DJ, record producer and remixer. Although he hasn't had many songs that have charted in the UK, he is a popular DJ having headlined at a number of festivals.
  1. Martin Garrix - $13 million: In recent years, Martin Garrix has had a lot of success with his top 20 singles 'Scared to Be Lonely' with British singer Dua Lipa, and his 2016 collaboration with Bebe Rexha, 'In the Name of Love'. More recently he has released a number of other collaborations including 'Like I Do' with David Guetta and Brooks and 'Ocean' featuring Khalid.

NOW WATCH: Dua Lipa Expresses Her Joy At Winning A BRIT Award With Calvin Harris

2017: Calvin Harris named highest-paid DJ for fifth year

Calvin Harris was crowed the highest-paid DJ for the fifth year running by Forbes Magazine. Forbes published its annual Electronic Cash Kings list and Calvin claimed the top spot, earning an impressive $48.5 million. It was a good year for Calvin with his massive hits ‘Slide’, ‘Heatstroke’ and ‘Feels’ from his fifth studio album 'Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1'.

Elsewhere on the list are Zedd and Martin Garrix who claimed 10th and 9th spot, David Guetta who takes 7th place with an impressive $25 million.

Martin Garrix has also had a lot of success with his top 20 single 'Scared to Be Lonely' with British singer Dua Lipa, and in 2016 his collaboration with Bebe Rexha, 'In the Name of Love'.

New entrants The Chainsmokers take the 3rd spot with $38 million in earnings last year. Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall have enjoyed five top 20 singles this year and soon are embarking on their ‘Memories… Do Not Open’ tour.

Throughout 2016, Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall, collectively known as The Chainsmokers, have gone strength to strength. When they released their debut single '#Selfie' in 2014, everyone thought it was just a bit of fun, but five top 20 singles later and they are making a name for themselves, both in the charts and as performers.

Amongst others returning this year are German DJ Zedd and Dutch DJ Martin Garrix. Both DJs have enjoyed chart success in 2017 with Zedd collaborating with Alessia Cara on 'Stay' and more recently Liam Payne on 'Get Low' which was released last month.

2017 DJ earnings ranked:

  1. Calvin Harris - $48.5 million: This year Calvin had hits with 'Feels', 'Heatstroke' and 'Slide'.
  1. Tiësto - $39 million: Although his music tends not to break into the UK Top 40, Tiësto is a regular at dance music festivals around the world.
  1. The Chainsmokers - $38 million: This year The Chainsmokers embarked on their 'Memories... Do Not Open' tour following the success of their collaborations with Halsey on 'Closer' and Coldplay on 'Something Just Like This'.
  1. Skrillex - $30 million: As well as a DJ in his own right Skrillex teamed up with Diplo to form Jack U. They're largest hit was 'Where Are U Now' featuring Justin Bieber.
  1. Steve Aoki - $29.5 million: Steve Aoki was the subject of a Netflix documentary and set up his own record label Dim Mak Records in the mid-90s. In late 2016, he teamed up with Louis Tomlinson for 'Just Hold On'.
  1. Diplo - $28.5 million: Diplo is known as a DJ and producer, having a handful of Top 40 songs in the UK charts since the early 2000s. He is also part of Major Lazer who released 'Cold Water' last year featuring Justin Bieber and MØ.
  1. David Guetta - $25 million: David Guetta has been in the industry for many years, and had a top 5 hit with Justin Bieber, '2U', the video of which featured the Victoria's Secret Angels.
  1. Marshmello - $21 million: Marshmello joined the electronic music scene a few years ago when he made a name for himself remixing Jack Ü and Zedd.
  1. Martin Garrix - $19.5 million: Martin Garrix released 'Scared to Be Lonely' with British singer Dua Lipa earlier this year and in 2016 his collaboration with Bebe Rexha, 'In the Name of Love' reached the top 10 in the UK.
  1. Zedd - $19 million: Zedd enjoyed chart success in 2017 collaborating with Alessia Cara on 'Stay' and more recently Liam Payne on 'Get Low'.

2016: Calvin Harris, David Guetta and ZEDD amongst the world's highest paid DJs

Calvin Harris earned $3 million less this year. Despite a rough year including a car crash and a very public break-up from Taylor Swift, British DJ Calvin Harris has topped the Forbes list of Electronic Cash Kings 2016.

The 'Summer' DJ earned $63 million over the past year. Although he saw a dip of $3 million compared to last year, it barely made a dent in the massive lead he has over second place Tiësto, who earned $38 million.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Calvin Harris, real name Adam Wiles, has topped the list of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) DJs, with much of his earnings coming from his Las Vegas residency where he earns around $400,000 per gig.

The list also includes French DJ David Guetta who opened and closed Euro 2016, along with Russian DJ ZEDD who rose of mainstream fame in 2012 with his single 'Clarity' and in 2013 with his number two hit 'Stay the Night' with Hayley Williams.

2016 DJ earnings ranked:

  1. Calvin Harris - $63 million
  1. Tiësto - $38 million
  1. David Guetta - $28 million
  1. ZEDD - $24.5 million
  1. Steve Aoki - $23.5 million
  1. Diplo - $23 million
  1. Skrillex - $20 million
  1. Kaskade - $19 million
  1. Martin Garrix - $16 million
  1. Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike - $15.5 million

2015: Calvin Harris named as Forbes' highest-paid DJ 3rd year in a row

Calvin Harris topped the Forbes 'Electronic Cash Kings 2015' for the third year in a row.

The list of the world’s highest-paid DJs which was released on 24th August puts the Scotsman at earning nearly twice as much as David Guetta who is at number two.

Calvin has made his massive $66 million from brand endorsements such as Giorgio Armani including 'that' photoshoot along with his residencies in Las Vegas and festival appearances.

French DJ David Guetta comes in second with his regular chart entries and his shows in Las Vegas and Ibiza all adding up to $37 million. Tiësto comes in a close third place, as one of the older DJs on the list he still managed to rack up a massive 100 shows during the scoring period used by Forbes. This along with his deals with soft drink company 7up and Guess all add to his pennies.

2015 DJ earnings ranked:

  1. Calvin Harris - $66 million
  1. David Guetta - $37 million
  1. Tiësto - $36 million
  1. Skrillex - $24 million
  1. Steve Aoki - $24 million
  1. Avicii - $19 million
  1. Kaskade - $18 million
  1. Martin Garrix - $17 million
  1. Zedd - $17 million
  1. Afrojack - $16 million
  1. Deadmau5 - $15 million
  1. Diplo - $15 million

NOW WATCH: 5 of Calvin Harris' Biggest Collaborations

You can hear songs from many of these artists on Free Radio.