The World's Highest-Paid DJs

1. Calvin Harris - $46 millionHarris earned more than Jay-Z or Katy Perry this year—and claimed electronic dance music’s cash crown for the first time in his career. In February he signed on to play more than 70 shows over a two-year period at Las Vegas megaclub Hakkasan, and pulls in additional cash from songwriting and producing for pop stars like Rihanna. “The rise of dance music has been astronomical in the last three years,” he tells FORBES. “I happened to be in the right place at the right time.. 2. Tiësto - $32 million The Dutch-born DJ has been spinning for decades—playing over 140 shows last year—and he’s earning more than ever. Tiësto landed a lucrative residency at Las Vegas superclub Hakkasan this summer, ditching his usual digs in Ibiza. “I’ve been going there for the last 10 years, it felt there was nothing special,” he tells FORBES. “And then I got the offer to play in Las Vegas 

3. David Guetta - $30 million Daft Punk contemporary David Guetta navigated his way from the DJ decks of underground Parisian clubs to the upper echelons of Top 40 radio. He has made a name for himself by crossing into pop music and collaborating with the likes of The Black Eyed Peas and Usher. Now 45, Guetta shows little signs of slowing, playing more than 120 shows over the past year, including appearances as a support act on part of Rihanna’s world tour and a weekly residency at Ibiza’s Pacha. 

4. Swedish House Mafia - $25 millionThe three members of Swedish House Mafia--Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell and Steve Angello--called an end to their group career in March 2013. But they still made enough in an abbreviated year to crack the top five on our list; all three are now pursuing individual careers (FORBES only took into account performances where all three members performed as a group as Swedish House Mafia for this valuation). 

5. Deadmau5 - $21 millionThe mouse-helmeted DJ has been collecting vast amounts of cheese despite performing half as many shows as some of his peers, thanks to nightly fees in excess of $200,000 at Hakkasan and other clubs and festivals around the world. He also cashes in on recorded music, his own label Mau5trap and massive merchandise licensing deals. 

6. Afrojack - $18 millionNick “Afrojack” van de Wall seems to be enjoying his newfound purchasing power: He bought a Ferrari 458 in February, wrecked it less than an hour later and bought a new one the next day. Only 25, the Dutchman has already crafted tracks for the likes of Pitbull and Chris Brown and owns his own label, Wall Recordings. One of the marquee names in Wynn Las Vegas’ DJ lineup, he says he turned down Hakkasan’s offer for twice his regular fee to remain loyal to his current employer..