For DJs & MCs

Event DJ Pricing Calculator

Price hours, setup, second venue, lighting, and travel in one place. Branded PDF quotes in 2 minutes.

Estimates only. This demo applies the visible package, travel, setup, rush, and add-on rules; verify tax and licensing requirements locally before sending a real quote.

Built for the way event DJ and MC pros actually quote

  • Quoting weddings vs corporate vs school dances with different hour expectations
  • Forgetting MC/host coverage hours separate from DJ play time
  • Lighting + photo booth + uplighting add-ons negotiated last-minute
  • Travel + load-in time eaten as 'free'
  • Equipment redundancy (backup speakers, mixers) priced as risk premium

Reusable djs & mcs packages

Package

School Dance — 3 hr

$600

  • · 1 DJ
  • · 3 hours
  • · Standard lighting
  • · PA system

Most booked

Wedding Reception — 5 hr

$1400

  • · 1 DJ + MC
  • · 5 hours
  • · Ceremony PA
  • · Uplighting (8)
  • · Wireless mic

Package

Corporate Event — 4 hr

$1800

  • · 1 DJ + MC
  • · 4 hours
  • · Full PA
  • · Wireless lavs (2)
  • · Branded playlist

Package

Full-Night Club Set — 6 hr

$2200

  • · 1 DJ
  • · 6 hours
  • · Club-grade PA
  • · Lighting rig
  • · Smoke machine optional

Why not just use…

GigSalad
Marketplace discovery and lead flow. Quotably is direct, branded quoting for leads you already own.
DJ Intelligence
$30/mo full DJ ops platform. Overkill if you mostly need fast branded quotes.
“Used to quote weddings on a spreadsheet and forget uplighting every other time. Now I send a PDF in under 3 minutes and the add-ons are right there.”
Marcus D. — Event DJ, Nashville TN

DJs & MCs pricing guides

Deeper rates by job type and by city.

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Frequently asked

How much should a DJ charge per hour in 2026?

US 2026 average: $150–$300/hr for weddings and private events. Corporate bookings often run $250–$450/hr due to COI requirements and AV complexity. School dances and birthday parties: $150–$250/hr.

Should I price MC duties separately from DJ play time?

Yes. MC/host coverage is a distinct skill and time commitment. Charge $75–$100/hr for MC hours as a separate line item. Clients who want DJ-only should not subsidize your MC work.

How do I price uplighting?

Standard: $25–$50 per fixture. A typical 8-fixture room setup runs $200–$400. Wireless fixtures carry a premium ($35–$50) over wired ($20–$30). Program complexity (color fades, synced cues) adds $100–$200 for custom builds.

Photo booth: bundle or quote separately?

Quote separately. A standalone photo booth session is $600–$1200 solo. When bundled with your DJ package at $400–$500, you lose margin fast. Itemize so the client sees the value.

How do I price travel time and load-in?

Free within 25 miles is the industry standard. Beyond that: $1.00/mile plus a $40 dispatch fee. Load-in and breakdown time (typically 1.5–2 hrs) should be baked into your base hourly rate, not charged separately — clients hate surprise setup fees.

What should I charge for equipment redundancy (backup gear)?

Build it into your base rate, not a separate line. Professional events expect backup speakers and a backup mixer as standard. If a client pushes back on your rate, explain the redundancy insurance — most appreciate it.

GigSalad vs Quotably for DJ quoting?

GigSalad is a marketplace for discovery and leads. Quotably is direct quoting — you own the client relationship, send branded PDFs, and keep the quote experience on your own brand. Different tools for different goals.

Are DJ services taxable?

Most states do not tax DJ or MC labor when no tangible deliverable is sold. Texas and some local rules can treat live entertainment, amusement services, or equipment rental differently, so confirm the rule for your service area before collecting tax.

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