Tiesto, Skrillex Top Highest-Paid DJs List: Who Are EDM's Top Earners?

If You Want To Make Millions, Become A DJ
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 11: DJ/producer Tiesto performs at the launch of 'In The Booth' at XS nightclub on January 11, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steven Lawton/Getty Images for ControlNY)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 11: DJ/producer Tiesto performs at the launch of 'In The Booth' at XS nightclub on January 11, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steven Lawton/Getty Images for ControlNY)

Kids, perhaps you shouldn't rule out a future career as a DJ. As electronic dance music (EDM) continues to ascend the popular music charts, some of the genre's biggest names are generating some serious cash along the way.

According to a list compiled by Forbes -- the magazine's first-ever class of "Electronic Cash Kings" -- the world’s 10 highest-paid DJs raked in $125 million over the past year. Of course, when you consider that these DJs are now performing at some of the world's biggest music festivals, gracing the cover of Rolling Stone, walking red carpets and making gossip headlines, it's no surprise that they are becoming notable celebrities in their own rights.

So how much did these "Electronic Cash Kings" make? Tiesto topped the list $22 million -- and an average nightly gross of $250,000 -- while Skrillex was named No. 2 with $15 million, followed by the newly defunct Swedish House Mafia with roughly $14 million. Hitmaker David Guetta raked in $13.5 million, thanks in part to his Top 40 hits "Titanium," featuring Sia, and his collaboration with Nicki Minaj, "Turn Me On." Meanwhile, "Jersey Shore" star DJ Pauly D surprisingly came in at No. 7 on the list with $11 million. We can't wait to see what Deadmau5 -- No. 6 -- will have to say about that addition.

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