Jan Hammer Highest-Paid Composer in the World

By Carol Kearney
Prague
Last updated on May 31, 2025

Jan Hammer led People With Money’s annual list of the “100 highest paid composers” released on Friday.

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It's been a rough year for the composer, but at least he has his millions of dollars to ease the pain. 77-year-old Jan Hammer has taken the No. 1 spot on People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid composers for 2025 with an estimated $82 million in combined earnings.

UPDATE 31/05/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Jan Hammer tops annual list of highest-paid composers

In 2022 it looked like the composer’s spectacular career was winding down. Suddenly, he was back on top. People With Money reports on Friday (May 30) that Hammer is the highest-paid composer in the world, pulling in an astonishing $82 million between May 2024 and May 2025, a nearly $50 million lead over his closest competition.

People With Money’s factors

In compiling this yearly list, the magazine considers factors such as upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements and advertising work.

The Czech composer-pianist has an estimated net worth of $245 million. He owes his fortune to smart stock investments, substantial property holdings, lucrative endorsement deals with CoverGirl cosmetics. He also owns several restaurants (the “Fat Hammer Burger” chain) in Prague, a Football Team (the “Prague Angels”), has launched his own brand of Vodka (Pure Wonderhammer - Czech republic), and is tackling the juniors market with a top-selling perfume (With Love from Jan) and a fashion line called “Jan Hammer Seduction”.

The ranking is significant for many Jan fans, who have been waiting for his triumphant return to the glory days for what seems like a lifetime.