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What can you expect to pay for great music? Our DJ price guide has all the answers, so you can set your budget and hire a brilliant local professional.
Last updated: 9 September 2025
When it's time to get the party started at your event, wedding, or party, your DJ sets the mood, the vibe, and the tempo. From choosing the perfect playlist to reading the room and keeping the dance floor packed, a good DJ is worth their weight in gold. But with a wide range of prices out there, not to mention costs that vary by location, the process of hiring a DJ is as intricate as a well-mixed track.
In this in-depth guide, we'll break down the costs of hiring a DJ in the UK in 2025, explore the factors that affect these prices, and offer smart tips to make sure you get the best beat for your budget.
When hiring a professional DJ, it's important to understand that costs vary significantly by location, personal experience, and the size and type of your event.
According to the latest industry data, the average cost of hiring a DJ in the UK is £350.
The majority of DJs charge by the event, as their time is usually absorbed by more than just the DJ set (travel, setting up, and packing down). However, some do charge by the hour, and the average cost can range from £70 per hour.
For example, a wedding reception that lasts five hours may cost £700, while a 4-hour corporate party may cost around £400. Additionally, the event's location also affects the DJ cost (see further details below).
Like any professional service, the cost of a DJ is based on a variety of factors. Understanding what goes into their pricing can help you find the right professional for your event and budget. Here are the nine key elements that shape a DJ's quote.
If you're in a big city like London or Birmingham, expect to pay more. DJs charge a higher price in these cities simply because the cost of living is greater. You’re also more likely to find a more experienced DJ in major cities renowned for their music scene, which is another factor affecting the price.
| Location | Average price |
| London | £350 |
| Manchester | £300 |
| Birmingham | £350 |
| Liverpool | £210 |
| Edinburgh | £250 |
One of the biggest price factors is the type of event. If you have a large wedding with over 200 guests, your DJ will charge more than a small children’s party of fewer than 30 people, as they will need more preparation time to create the perfect playlist and ensure the equipment works well in the venue.
Wedding DJs tend to be more expensive for a variety of reasons.
The number of guests directly impacts the logistical requirements. A small party of 50 people requires a vastly different sound and lighting setup than a large wedding or corporate event with 300 guests. Larger crowds require more powerful speakers, extensive lighting rigs, and more complex equipment to ensure everyone enjoys a premium experience.
If you want the best DJ for your party, then you need to consider their experience. A DJ with years of experience will likely be better at working the crowd than someone newer to the world of music. An experienced DJ will also likely be able to handle technical disasters that could crop up during an event, which may well make them more expensive, but probably worth the price. If you’re on a budget, hiring a DJ with less experience isn’t necessarily a negative thing; you just need to ensure they understand your brief and vibe.
Most DJs can provide additional equipment to accompany their music set, like sound systems or lighting effects. This either comes as part of a package deal or as an extra fee. It’s always worth asking your DJ how much the additional cost is at the outset to avoid any nasty surprises later down the line.
A DJ's fee covers much more than just the time they are actively playing music. The total time commitment includes initial consultations, music preparation and curation, travel to and from the venue, equipment setup time (often hours before guests arrive), the actual performance, and the time it takes to break down and pack up their gear.
The quality of a DJ's equipment is fundamental to the quality of your event's sound and atmosphere. DJs who invest in professional-grade sound systems, premium microphones, and sophisticated lighting setups charge more to cover the cost and maintenance of this high-end gear.
Your DJ's fee includes their preparation time. If you have specific, unique, or obscure song requests, the DJ will spend time sourcing that music, which may even require them to purchase new tracks. Creating custom mixes or a highly tailored playlist takes significant effort behind the scenes, which is factored into the final cost.
Supply and demand dictate pricing, especially on popular dates. A Saturday evening during the peak wedding season (May-September) will be significantly more expensive than a weekday in a quieter month. Events scheduled on Bank Holidays, Christmas, or New Year's Eve will also carry a premium due to high demand.
If your venue is outside of a DJ's standard service area, a travel fee will be included in the quote. This fee covers not only fuel costs and vehicle wear and tear but also the DJ's travel time. For events that are particularly far away, this may also include the cost of overnight accommodation.
Many DJs offer add-on services that can enhance your event for an additional fee. Here are common extras that will increase the price:
MC Services: Hiring your DJ to also serve as the Master of Ceremonies (or compere) to make announcements and guide the event flow.
Lighting Packages: Adding atmospheric and dance floor lighting, such as disco lights, lasers, or smoke machines.
Video Projection: Using screens and projectors for slideshows or music videos.
Enhanced Sound Equipment: Upgrading the standard sound system with additional speakers or subwoofers for larger venues.
Custom Playlists: Requesting highly curated, multi-part playlists that require the DJ to source and purchase specific or rare music.
Live Musicians: Blending the DJ set with a live performer, such as a saxophonist or percussionist, for a hybrid experience.
When planning an event on a tight budget, it's tempting to forgo a professional DJ. While DIY options like a Spotify playlist can save money, they often sacrifice the atmosphere and dynamic energy that a skilled DJ creates.
Another cost-cutting measure is to ask a friend to manage the music. As DJing requires no formal qualifications, and largely relies on skill and music taste, this might seem like a good option. However, this approach carries several risks:
Poorly mixed songs and awkward transitions
Equipment malfunctions or technical problems
Incorrect sound levels (too loud or quiet)
Lack of interaction with guests
The friend feeling overwhelmed by the pressure
The right choice depends on the occasion. For a casual house party, a friend might be perfectly suitable but for a significant event like a wedding, a professional DJ will likely be a much better option. When filling in your event details, you can specify your expectations - this way Bark can help you find the best DJ for your event and budget.
If you’re looking to hire an affordable DJ, using the following tips may help you secure a professional at a cheaper price.
Book Off-Peak: Hire a DJ during the off-season (January-March) when demand is lower to get a better rate.
Shorten the Set: Cut costs by hiring the DJ only for the essential hours of your event.
Negotiate the Price: Ask if there's flexibility in their pricing or if they offer a more affordable package that fits your budget.
Payment structures and terms can vary, so it's important to clarify this with your chosen DJ. The most common arrangements are:
A deposit (often 25-50%) paid upon signing the contract to secure your date, with the remaining balance due on or just before the day of the event.
Full payment made after the event is completed.
However, always confirm your DJ's preferred payment method and schedule before booking.
The sooner you book a DJ, the better. Most people try to do this at least 3 months in advance for major events. You’re also likely to get a better price when you give plenty of notice. But if it’s the last minute, your DJ may cost you more.
A DJ's price is more than just the time they spend playing music. A standard quote typically covers:
Pre-event consultation and planning: Crafting the perfect playlist and timeline for your event.
Travel time and costs: To and from your venue. Choosing a local DJ can sometimes reduce this cost.
Equipment setup and teardown: The time required to set up speakers, decks, lighting, and microphones before the event and break it all down afterwards.
Performance time: The hours they are actively playing music.
Additional services: Many DJs also offer MC (Master of Ceremonies) services to make announcements and keep the event flowing.
In the UK, the average cost of a DJ per hour is £70. However, this figure should only be used as an estimate as DJ costs can vary based on location, experience, and the type of event.
Based on the average hourly cost, the estimated price for a 4-hour DJ set in the UK is £280-£500. However, this may vary as many DJs charge per event rather than per hour, especially for weddings and corporate functions.
Wedding DJ packages in the UK often range from £500 to £2,500 or more. Wedding DJs often charge more due to the higher level of planning, longer hours, and size of the event. Read more in our guide on the cost of wedding DJs.
To easily book a DJ, you can use a service like Bark. Tell us about your project and we’ll send you a list of DJs to review. There’s no pressure to hire, so you can compare profiles, read previous reviews and ask for more information before you make your decision.
Price data is based upon 365 days’ worth of data
Average price per hour refers to the median price per hour to allow for outliers in data.
Information by city/region has only been provided where there is a large enough sample size.
The average rating for Bark DJs is 4.91, based on 105,039 reviews
5/5
based on 105,039 reviews
