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Forbes list of the world's highest-paid musicians#Female

{{Short description|Ranking published by Forbes magazine}}

{{italic title|string=Forbes}}

{{About|musicians by earnings|musicians by net worth|List of music artists by net worth#Forbes}}

File:Forbes logo.svg

The highest-paid musicians{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2011/06/15/the-worlds-highest-paid-musicians/|title=The World's Highest-Paid Musicians 2011|magazine=Forbes|first=Zack O'Malley|last=Greenburg|date=June 15, 2011|access-date=November 29, 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2018/12/04/the-worlds-highest-paid-musicians-of-2018-u2-coldplay-ed-sheeran/|title=The World's Highest-Paid Musicians Of 2018|magazine=Forbes|first=Zack O'Malley|last=Greenburg|date=December 4, 2018|access-date=November 29, 2023}} in the world have been reported annually by Forbes since at least 1987. For measurement, the magazine used pretax earnings—before deducting fees for agents, managers or lawyers. Most of the lists were estimated within a June-to-June scoring period, except for 1999, 2021, and 2022 when a calendar year period was used instead.{{cite web |url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/results.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2000&passListType=Person&resultsStart=1&resultsHowMany=25&resultsSortProperties=-numberfield3%2C%2Bstringfield1&resultsSortCategoryName=earnings+%28%24mil%29 |title=Forbes.com: Forbes Celebrity 100 |work=Forbes|access-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521184114/http://www.forbes.com/lists/results.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2000&passListType=Person&resultsStart=1&resultsHowMany=25&resultsSortProperties=-numberfield3%2C%2Bstringfield1&resultsSortCategoryName=earnings+%28%24mil%29 |archive-date=May 21, 2009 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/home.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2001&passListType=Person |title=Forbes.com: Forbes Celebrity 100 2001 |work=Forbes|access-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030622101452/http://www.forbes.com/lists/home.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2001&passListType=Person |archive-date=June 22, 2003 |url-status=dead}}

U2 became the annual highest-paid musician five times, more than any other act. They were also the highest-paid music group in a record eight different years. Michael Jackson became the first musician to earn over $100 million in a year (1989),{{harvnb|McAleer|1991|p=82}} and has become the highest-paid male soloist a record seven times. Dr. Dre currently holds the record for the highest annual earnings for a musician, collecting $620 million in 2014, mainly through the sales of his headphone-manufacturing company, Beats Electronics.{{cite web | url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/71771-highest-annual-earnings-ever-for-a-music-artist | title=Highest annual earnings for a musician ever | access-date=March 14, 2023| archive-date=February 28, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228100605/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/71771-highest-annual-earnings-ever-for-a-music-artist | url-status=live|publisher=Guinness World Records}}

Madonna is the first woman in music to earn $100 million for a year (2009) and has become the highest-paid female musician a record 11 times. Taylor Swift remains the female musician with the highest official annual earnings ever with $185 million in 2019, breaking the previous record set by herself in 2016 with $170 million. Unofficially, it is hypothesized that Swift may have made well over $250 million in 2024 due to the success of her Eras Tour and subsequent concert film, as well as the increased value of her music catalog as a whole.{{harvnb|Glenday|2015|p=167}}{{Cite web |last=Mercuri |first=Monica |title=Taylor Swift Joins Forbes Billionaires List —Here's How She Did It |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2024/04/02/taylor-swift-didnt-need-lucrative-side-hustles-to-become-a-billionaire/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Forbes |language=en}}{{cite news|title=Highest annual earnings ever for a female pop star|publisher=Guinness World Records|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/76785-highest-annual-earnings-ever-for-a-female-pop-star|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112212722/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/76785-highest-annual-earnings-ever-for-a-female-pop-star|archive-date=November 12, 2017}}

Highest-paid musicians by year

File:U2 montage.jpg became the annual highest-paid musician a record five times and the annual highest-paid music group a record eight times.]]

File:George H. W. Bush with Michael Jackson (cropped).png became the annual highest-paid musician three times and the annual highest-paid male solo musician a record seven times.]]

File:Madonna Rebel Heart Tour 2015 - Stockholm (23051472299) (cropped).jpg became the annual highest-paid musician three times and the annual highest-paid female musician a record eleven times.]]

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:90%"

|+Key

| style="background:#FAEB86;"| {{center|*}}

| Indicates the year's highest-paid celebrity (all fields of entertainment)

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Highest-paid musicians of the year

! Year

! Musician

! Nationality

! Earnings

! Adjusted earnings
(in {{Inflation/year|US}} dollar)

! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" | 1987

| align=left | {{sortname|Bruce|Springsteen}}

| align=left | United States

| $56 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|56|1987}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-09-07-fi-4174-story.html|title=Of the Show Biz Rich, Bill Cosby Is Top Star|date=September 7, 1987|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=July 27, 2022|url-access=subscription|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727014120/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-09-07-fi-4174-story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/09/06/Bill-Cosby-tops-list-of-highest-paid-entertainers/1586557899200/|title=Bill Cosby tops list of highest paid entertainers|publisher=United Press International (UPI)|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=September 6, 1987|first=Frederick M.|last=Winship|archive-date=January 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122220938/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/09/06/Bill-Cosby-tops-list-of-highest-paid-entertainers/1586557899200/|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 1988

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | {{sortname|Michael|Jackson}} *

| align=left | United States

| $97 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|97|1988}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-09-22-8802010514-story.html|title=A NEW, OLD LOOK FOR THE RIVIERA – Chicago Tribune|work=Chicago Tribune|date=September 22, 1988|accessdate=August 2, 2022|archive-date=July 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730014851/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-09-22-8802010514-story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/09/18/Michael-Jackson-tops-list-of-best-paid-entertainers/2912590558400/|title=Michael Jackson tops list of best-paid entertainers|publisher=United Press International (UPI)|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=September 18, 1988}}

scope="row" | 1989

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | {{sortname|Michael|Jackson}} *

| align=left | United States

| $125 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|125|1989}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1989/CB-1989-09-30.pdf#page=6|title=Tickertape: Million Dollar Bash|work=Cash Box|page=6|date=November 30, 1989|first=Billy|last=Barty|author-link=Billy Barty|access-date=July 27, 2022|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525233656/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1989/CB-1989-09-30.pdf#page=6|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/09/16/Michael-Jackson-tops-Forbess-richest-stars-list-again/9488621921600/|title=Michael Jackson tops Forbes's 'richest stars' list again|publisher=United Press International (UPI)|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=September 16, 1989}}

scope="row" | 1990

| align=left | {{sortname|Michael|Jackson}}

| align=left | United States

| $100 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|100|1990}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/0af6c78721263c62df2aa7d6314e5c9d|title=Forbes Magazine's Highest-Paid Entertainers With PM-Richest Entertainers|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=September 17, 1990|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727223004/https://apnews.com/article/0af6c78721263c62df2aa7d6314e5c9d|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 1991

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | New Kids on the Block *

| align=left | United States

| $115 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|115|1991}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-26-vw-4266-story.html|title=High Life: A Weekly Forum for High School Students: Foothill Teen Wins Poster Prize|date=September 26, 1991|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=July 27, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727014121/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-26-vw-4266-story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/109d1067f9ecd0a2881075f0add68d9a|title=Forbes Magazine's Highest-Paid Entertainers With AM-Richest Entertainers|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=July 27, 2022|date=September 15, 1991|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727223006/https://apnews.com/article/109d1067f9ecd0a2881075f0add68d9a|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 1992

| align=left | New Kids on the Block

| align=left | United States

| $62 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|62|1992}}}} million

| {{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/5a149c28e0a2ab21aa28a1e14e6da7e8 |title=Forbes Magazine's 40 Richest Entertainers With AM-Richest Entertainers |publisher=Associated Press|date=September 13, 1992|accessdate=July 30, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727223007/https://apnews.com/article/5a149c28e0a2ab21aa28a1e14e6da7e8 |url-status=live }}

scope="row" | 1993

| align=left | Guns N' Roses

| align=left | United States

| $53 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|53|1993}}}} million

| {{cite web | url=https://www.deseret.com/1993/9/13/19065646/talking-pays-big-puts-oprah-at-top-of-earnings-list | title=Talking Pays Big, Puts Oprah at Top of Earnings List | date=September 13, 1993 | access-date=July 30, 2022 | archive-date=July 30, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730024656/https://www.deseret.com/1993/9/13/19065646/talking-pays-big-puts-oprah-at-top-of-earnings-list | url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WsEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Madonna+%24+37+million+Forbes&pg=PA13|title=Oprah Tops Forbes List of Highest Grossing Celebs: CELEBRITIES (List Top 25)|work=Jet|access-date=April 18, 2022|page=13|date=September 27, 1993|volume=84|number=22|archive-date=March 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314073319/https://books.google.com/books?id=WsEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Madonna+%24+37+million+Forbes&pg=PA13|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 1994

| align=left | Pink Floyd

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $62 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|62|1994}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/1994/9/12/19130354/spielberg-is-top-paid-entertainer-syrupy-barney-rings-in-at-no-3|title=Spielberg Is Top-Paid Entertaier; Syrupy Barney Rings in at No. 3|date=September 12, 1994|website=Deseret News|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727014044/https://www.deseret.com/1994/9/12/19130354/spielberg-is-top-paid-entertainer-syrupy-barney-rings-in-at-no-3|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/09/11/Spielberg-tops-Forbes-list/2573779256000/|title=Spielberg tops Forbes list|publisher=United Press International (UPI)|access-date=August 2, 2022|date=September 11, 1994}}

scope="row" | 1995

| align=left | {{sort|Beatles|The Beatles}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $130 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|130|1995}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/sep/11/beatles-in-the-money-again-forbes-says-band/|title=Beatles In The Money Again, Forbes Says Band Earned Third Most Money, Behind Steven Spielberg, Oprah | The Spokesman-Review|work=The Spokesman-Review|access-date=July 27, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727014042/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/sep/11/beatles-in-the-money-again-forbes-says-band/|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 1996

| align=left | {{sort|Beatles|The Beatles}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $130 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|130|1996}}}} million

| {{cite news |last=Gerhart |first=Ann |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1996/09/09/yoga-teacher-makes-peace-in-cleveland-park/62b3c7f2-2c00-400c-9123-3c59377d7475/ |title=Yoga Teacher Makes Peace In Cleveland Park |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 9, 1996 |accessdate=July 30, 2022 |archive-date=July 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730025641/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1996/09/09/yoga-teacher-makes-peace-in-cleveland-park/62b3c7f2-2c00-400c-9123-3c59377d7475/ |url-status=live }}

scope="row" | 1997

| align=left | {{sort|Beatles|The Beatles}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $98 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|98|1997}}}} million

| {{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/09/09/in-the-money/ |title=In the money |work=Tampa Bay Times|date= |accessdate=July 30, 2022|archive-date=July 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730014848/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/09/09/in-the-money/ |url-status=live }}

scope="row" | 1998

| align=left | {{sort|Rolling Stones|The Rolling Stones}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $57 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|57|1998}}}} million

| {{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/5361d68519419dfa50d79f8666901b24 |title=Forbes list of entertainers |publisher=Associated Press |date=September 7, 1998 |accessdate=July 27, 2022 |archive-date=July 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727020533/https://apnews.com/article/5361d68519419dfa50d79f8666901b24 |url-status=dead}}

scope="row" | 1999

| align=left | Backstreet Boys

| align=left | United States

| $60 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|60|1999}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/r34tsc/backstreet-boys-become-1999s-top-money-making-musicians|title=Backstreet Boys Become 1999's Top Money-Making Musicians|publisher=MTV|access-date=July 27, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727020533/https://www.mtv.com/news/r34tsc/backstreet-boys-become-1999s-top-money-making-musicians|url-status=dead}}

scope="row" | 2001

| align=left | {{sort|Beatles|The Beatles}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $70 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|70|2001}}}} million

| {{cite web |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/f5h9k1/beatles-britney-most-powerful-music-artists-forbes-says |title=Beatles, Britney Most Powerful Music Artists, Forbes Says | News |publisher=MTV |date=February 10, 2001 |access-date=July 27, 2022 |archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727051517/https://www.mtv.com/news/f5h9k1/beatles-britney-most-powerful-music-artists-forbes-says |url-status=dead }}

scope="row" | 2002

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $69 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|69|2002}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/results.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2002&passListType=Person&searchParameter1=&searchParameter2=&resultsStart=1&resultsHowMany=25&resultsSortProperties=+numberfield2,+stringfield1&resultsSortCategoryName=money_rank&passKeyword=&category1=&category2=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216221837/http://www.forbes.com/lists/results.jhtml?passListId=53&passYear=2002&passListType=Person&searchParameter1=&searchParameter2=&resultsStart=1&resultsHowMany=25&resultsSortProperties=+numberfield2,+stringfield1&resultsSortCategoryName=money_rank&passKeyword=&category1=&category2=|archivedate=February 16, 2006|title=Forbes.com: Forbes Celebrity 100| website=Forbes |date=February 16, 2006}}

scope="row" | 2003

| align=left | {{sort|Rolling Stones|The Rolling Stones}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $66.5 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|66.5|2003}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2003/06/18/cz_celebs_musicians.html|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20220727053357/https://www.forbes.com/2003/06/18/cz_celebs_musicians.html?sh=295ee571bcb6|title=The Best Paid Musicians|work=Forbes|archive-date=July 27, 2022|access-date=July 27, 2022}}

scope="row" | 2004

| align=left | {{sortname|Bruce|Springsteen}}

| align=left | United States

| $64 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|64|2004}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2004/06/14/cz_celebs04_musicians.html|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20220727053706/https://www.forbes.com/2004/06/14/cz_celebs04_musicians.html?sh=7f8cbcd78a72|title=The Best Paid Musicians|work=Forbes|archive-date=July 27, 2022|access-date=July 27, 2022}}

scope="row" | 2005

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $50 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|50|2005}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2005/06/11/cz_05celeb_musicians_slide.html |title=The Best Paid Musicians |website=Forbes |date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728024235/https://www.forbes.com/2005/06/11/cz_05celeb_musicians_slide.html |accessdate=September 30, 2023|archive-date=July 28, 2022}}

scope="row" | 2006

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $110 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|110|2006}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://images.forbes.com/lists/2006/53/Musicians_Rank.html|title=The Celebrity 100 - Forbes.com|work=Forbes|access-date=July 28, 2023|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727051924/https://images.forbes.com/lists/2006/53/Musicians_Rank.html|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 2007

| align=left | {{sort|Rolling Stones|The Rolling Stones}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $110 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|110|2007}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2007/09/19/music-madonna-rolling_stones-biz-media-cx_lh_0919musicians.html|title=The Top-Earning Musicians|website=Forbes|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918104225/http://www.forbes.com/2007/09/19/music-madonna-rolling_stones-biz-media-cx_lh_0919musicians.html|archive-date=September 18, 2012}}

scope="row" | 2008

| align=left | {{sort|Police|The Police}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $115 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|115|2008}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/09/19/music-beyonce-timberlake-forbeslife-cx_lr_0922lifestyle_slide.html|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20220727054753/https://www.forbes.com/2008/09/19/music-beyonce-timberlake-forbeslife-cx_lr_0922lifestyle_slide.html?sh=5c32b0c6401e|title=In Pictures: World's Best-Paid Music Stars|first=Lacey|last=Rose|work=Forbes|archive-date=July 27, 2022|access-date=July 27, 2022}}

scope="row" | 2009

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $110 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|110|2009}}}} million

| {{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/06/22/top-eaning-musicians-business-entertainment-musicians_slide.html|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20220727055559/https://www.forbes.com/2009/06/22/top-eaning-musicians-business-entertainment-musicians_slide.html?sh=e0a1ee72e236|title=In Pictures: The Year's Top-Earning Musicians|work=Forbes|archive-date=July 27, 2022|access-date=July 27, 2022}}

scope="row" | 2010

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $130 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|130|2010}}}} million

| {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/u2-beyonce-britney-make-forbes-top-earning-musicians-list-957300/|title=U2, Beyonce, Britney Make Forbes 'Top-Earning Musicians' List|first1=Melanie|last1=Fried|magazine=Billboard|date=July 19, 2010|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727032649/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/u2-beyonce-britney-make-forbes-top-earning-musicians-list-957300/|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 2011

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $195 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|195|2011}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/17/u2-top-highest-paid-list|title=U2 top list of world's highest-paid musicians|date=June 17, 2011|website=The Guardian|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727032649/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/17/u2-top-highest-paid-list|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 2012

| align=left | {{sort|Dre|Dr. Dre}}

| align=left | United States

| $110 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|110|2012}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/dr-dre-tops-forbes-highest-395716/|title=Dr. Dre Is Forbes' 2012 Highest-Paid Musician|first1=Jason Lipshutz|last1=Billboard|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 29, 2012|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727032647/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/dr-dre-tops-forbes-highest-395716/|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 2013

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | Madonna *

| align=left | United States

| $125 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|125|2013}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/21/madonna-highest-earning-musician-2013|title=Madonna named highest-earning musician in 2013|date=November 21, 2013|website=the Guardian|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727051520/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/21/madonna-highest-earning-musician-2013|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 2014

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | {{sort|Dre|Dr. Dre}} *

| align=left | United States

| $620 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|620|2014}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sdut-dr-dre-heads-forbes-list-of-top-paid-musicians-2014dec11-story.html|title=Dr. Dre is Forbes' top-earning 2014 musician|date=December 11, 2014|website=San Diego Union-Tribune|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727110509/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sdut-dr-dre-heads-forbes-list-of-top-paid-musicians-2014dec11-story.html|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 2015

| align=left | {{sortname|Katy|Perry}}

| align=left | United States

| $135 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|135|2015}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2015/12/08/the-worlds-highest-paid-musicians-of-2015/|title=The World's Highest-Paid Musicians Of 2015|first=Zack O'Malley|last=Greenburg|author-link=Zack O'Malley Greenburg|website=Forbes|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=December 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225111722/http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2015/12/08/the-worlds-highest-paid-musicians-of-2015/|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 2016

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | {{sortname|Taylor|Swift}} *

| align=left | United States

| $170 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|170|2016}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2016/11/30/taylor-swift-most-paid-musician/|title=Taylor Swift Is Officially the Highest-Paid Musician in the World|website=Fortune|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727062141/https://fortune.com/2016/11/30/taylor-swift-most-paid-musician/|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 2017

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | Diddy *

| align=left | United States

| $130 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|130|2017}}}} million

| {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/diddy-beyonce-drake-forbes-highest-paid-musicians-2017-list-8062631/|title=Diddy, Beyonce, & Drake Top Forbes' Highest-Paid Musicians of 2017 List|first1=Nerisha|last1=Penrose|magazine=Billboard|date=December 7, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727064706/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/diddy-beyonce-drake-forbes-highest-paid-musicians-2017-list-8062631/|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 2018

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $118 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|118|2018}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://etcanada.com/news/393398/u2-tops-forbes-list-of-2018s-highest-earning-musicians-as-joshua-tree-tour-grosses-316m/|title=U2 Tops Forbes' List Of 2018's Highest-Earning Musicians As Joshua Tree Tour Grosses $316M|first=Brent|last=Furdyk|date=December 4, 2018|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727064701/https://etcanada.com/news/393398/u2-tops-forbes-list-of-2018s-highest-earning-musicians-as-joshua-tree-tour-grosses-316m/|url-status=dead|work=Entertainment Tonight Canada}}

scope="row" | 2019

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | {{sortname|Taylor|Swift}} *

| align=left | United States

| $185 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|185|2019}}}} million

| {{cite web |author=06:30am EST |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2019/12/06/the-worlds-top-earning-musicians-of-2019 |title=The World's Top-Earning Musicians Of 2019 |work=Forbes|date= |accessdate=July 29, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714193052/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2019/12/06/the-worlds-top-earning-musicians-of-2019/ |url-status=live }}

scope="row" | 2020

| align=left | {{sortname|Kanye|West}}

| align=left | United States

| $170 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|170|2020}}}} million

| {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-ariana-grande-musicians-forbes-highest-paid-celebrities-2020-9444159/|title=Kanye West, Ariana Grande & More Musicians Crowned Forbes' 100 Highest-Paid Celebrities of 2020|first1=Heran|last1=Mamo|magazine=Billboard|date=September 2, 2020|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727064707/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-ariana-grande-musicians-forbes-highest-paid-celebrities-2020-9444159/|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 2021

| align=left | {{sortname|Bruce|Springsteen}}

| align=left | United States

| $435 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|435|2021}}}} million

| {{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2022/02/09/the-highest-paid-entertainers-2022/ | title=The Highest-Paid Entertainers 2022 | website=Forbes | access-date=July 31, 2022 | archive-date=February 10, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210003834/https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2022/02/09/the-highest-paid-entertainers-2022/ | url-status=live }}

scope="row" | 2022

| align=left | Genesis

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $230 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|230|2022}}}} million

| {{cite web| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2023/02/13/the-worlds-top-10-highest-paid-entertainers-of-2022/?sh=71d0f4d129a3| title=The World's 10 Highest-Paid Entertainers| website=Forbes| access-date=March 14, 2023| archive-date=February 17, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217063844/https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2023/02/13/the-worlds-top-10-highest-paid-entertainers-of-2022/?sh=71d0f4d129a3| url-status=live}}

=Group=

File:The Beatles members at New York City in 1964.jpg became the annual highest-paid musician four times and the annual highest-paid music group four times.]]

File:Stones members montage2.jpg became the annual highest-paid musician three times and the annual highest-paid music group five times.]]

File:Eagles cropped.jpg became the annual highest-paid music group three times.]]

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Highest-paid music groups of the year

! Year

! Music group

! Nationality

! Earnings

! Adjusted earnings
(in {{Inflation/year|US}} dollar)

! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" | 1987

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $37 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|37|1987}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1988

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $42 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|42|1988}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1989

| align=left | Pink Floyd

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $56 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|56|1989}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1990

| align=left | {{sort|Rolling Stones|The Rolling Stones}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $88 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|88|1990}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1991

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | New Kids on the Block *

| align=left | United States

| $115 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|115|1991}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1992

| align=left | New Kids on the Block

| align=left | United States

| $62 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|62|1992}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1993

| align=left | Guns N' Roses

| align=left | United States

| $53 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|53|1993}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1994

| align=left | Pink Floyd

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $62 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|62|1994}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1995

| align=left | {{sort|Beatles|The Beatles}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $130 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|130|1995}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1996

| align=left | {{sort|Beatles|The Beatles}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $130 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|130|1996}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1997

| align=left | {{sort|Beatles|The Beatles}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $98 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|98|1997}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1998

| align=left | {{sort|Rolling Stones|The Rolling Stones}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $57 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|57|1998}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1999

| align=left | Backstreet Boys

| align=left | United States

| $60 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|60|1999}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2001

| align=left | {{sort|Beatles|The Beatles}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $70 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|70|2001}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2002

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $69 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|69|2002}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2003

| align=left | {{sort|Rolling Stones|The Rolling Stones}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $66.5 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|66.5|2003}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2004

| align=left | {{sort|Rolling Stones|The Rolling Stones}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $51 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|51|2004}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2005

| align=left | Eagles

| align=left | United States

| $45 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|45|2005}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2006

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $110 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|110|2006}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2007

| align=left | {{sort|Rolling Stones|The Rolling Stones}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $110 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|110|2007}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2008

| align=left | {{sort|Police|The Police}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $115 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|115|2008}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2009

| align=left | Rascal Flatts

| align=left | United States

| $60 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|60|2009}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2010

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $130 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|130|2010}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2011

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $195 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|195|2011}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2012

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $78 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|78|2012}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2013

| align=left | Bon Jovi

| align=left | United States

| $79 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|79|2013}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2014

| align=left | Eagles

| align=left | United States

| $100 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|100|2014}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2015

| align=left | One Direction

| align=left | United Kingdom / Ireland

| $130 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|130|2015}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2016

| align=left | One Direction

| align=left | United Kingdom / Ireland

| $110 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|110|2016}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2017

| align=left | Coldplay

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $88 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|88|2017}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2018

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $118 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|118|2018}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2019

| align=left | Eagles

| align=left | United States

| $100 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|100|2019}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2020

| align=left | Jonas Brothers

| align=left | United States

| $68.5 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|68.5|2020}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2021

| align=left | Red Hot Chili Peppers

| align=left | United States

| $116 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|116|2021}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2022

| align=left | Genesis

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $230 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|230|2022}}}} million

|

=Male=

File:Bruce Springsteen - Roskilde Festival 2012.jpg became the annual highest-paid musician three times and the annual highest-paid male solo musician six times.]]

File:Glasto2023 (419 of 468) (53009098414) (cropped).jpg became the annual highest-paid male solo musician three times.]]File:Garth Brooks KCHD 2022.jpg became the annual highest-paid male solo musician three times.]]

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Highest-paid male solo musicians of the year

! Year

! Musician

! Nationality

! Earnings

! Adjusted earnings
(in {{Inflation/year|US}} dollar)

! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" | 1987

| align=left | {{sortname|Bruce|Springsteen}}

| align=left | United States

| $56 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|56|1987}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1988

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | {{sortname|Michael|Jackson}} *

| align=left | United States

| $97 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|97|1988}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1989

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | {{sortname|Michael|Jackson}} *

| align=left | United States

| $125 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|125|1989}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1990

| align=left | {{sortname|Michael|Jackson}}

| align=left | United States

| $100 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|100|1990}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1991

| align=left | {{sortname|Michael|Jackson}}

| align=left | United States

| $60 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|60|1991}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1992

| align=left | {{sortname|Michael|Jackson}}

| align=left | United States

| $51 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|51|1992}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1993

| align=left | Prince

| align=left | United States

| $49 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|49|1993}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1994

| align=left | {{sortname|Garth|Brooks}}

| align=left | United States

| $41 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|41|1994}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1995

| align=left | {{sortname|Michael|Jackson}}

| align=left | United States

| $67 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|67|1995}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1996

| align=left | {{sortname|Michael|Jackson}}

| align=left | United States

| $90 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|90|1996}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1997

| align=left | {{sortname|David|Bowie}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $63 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|63|1997}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1998

| align=left | Master P

| align=left | United States

| $56.5 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|56.5|1998}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1999

| align=left | {{sortname|Lou|Bega}}{{efn|Male soloists were largely absent in 1999. Lou Bega was only ranked 76th on the overall celebrity earnings list.{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/results.jhtml?passListId=53&passListType=Person&passYear=2000&resultsHowMany=25&resultsSortCategoryName=money+rank&resultsSortProperties=+numberfield2,+stringfield1&resultsStart=1 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20011120034150/http://www.forbes.com/lists/results.jhtml?passListId=53&passListType=Person&passYear=2000&resultsHowMany=25&resultsSortCategoryName=money+rank&resultsSortProperties=+numberfield2,+stringfield1&resultsStart=1 |archivedate=November 20, 2001|title=Forbes.com: Forbes Celebrity 100 2000 | website=Forbes |accessdate=July 28, 2022}}}}

| align=left | Germany

| $6 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|6|1999}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2001

| align=left | {{sort|Dre|Dr. Dre}}

| align=left | United States

| $35 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|35|2001}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2002

| align=left | {{sortname|Elton|John}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $30 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|30|2002}}}} million

| {{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/celebrities2002/power_rank.html |title=Forbes Celebrity 100 2002 |work=Forbes |date= |accessdate=July 29, 2022 |archive-date=July 28, 2022

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728094902/https://www.forbes.com/celebrities2002/power_rank.html |url-status=live }}

scope="row" | 2003

| align=left | {{sortname|Paul|McCartney}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $59 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|59|2003}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2004

| align=left | {{sortname|Bruce|Springsteen}}

| align=left | United States

| $64 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|64|2004}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2005

| align=left | Prince

| align=left | United States

| $49.7 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|49.7|2005}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2006

| align=left | {{sortname|Bruce|Springsteen}}

| align=left | United States

| $55 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|55|2006}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2007

| align=left | {{sortname|Elton|John}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $53 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|53|2007}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2008

| align=left | {{sortname|Toby|Keith}}

| align=left | United States

| $48 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|48|2008}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2009

| align=left | {{sortname|Bruce|Springsteen}}

| align=left | United States

| $70 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|70|2009}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2010

| align=left | {{sortname|Bruce|Springsteen}}

| align=left | United States

| $70 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|70|2010}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2011

| align=left | {{sortname|Elton|John}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $100 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|100|2011}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2012

| align=left | {{sort|Dre|Dr. Dre}}

| align=left | United States

| $110 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|110|2012}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2013

| align=left | {{sortname|Toby|Keith}}

| align=left | United States

| $65 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|65|2013}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2014

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | {{sort|Dre|Dr. Dre}} *

| align=left | United States

| $620 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|620|2014}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2015

| align=left | {{sortname|Garth|Brooks}}

| align=left | United States

| $90 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|90|2015}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2016

| align=left | {{sortname|Garth|Brooks}}

| align=left | United States

| $70 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|70|2016}}}} million

| {{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/highest-paid-musicians-2016-1882669 | title=Highest paid musicians of 2016 revealed | website=NME | date=November 30, 2016 | access-date=July 30, 2022 | archive-date=July 28, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728030004/https://www.nme.com/news/music/highest-paid-musicians-2016-1882669 | url-status=live }}

scope="row" | 2017

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | Diddy *

| align=left | United States

| $130 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|130|2017}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2018

| align=left | {{sortname|Ed|Sheeran}}

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $110 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|110|2018}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2019

| align=left | {{sortname|Kanye|West}}

| align=left | United States

| $150 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|150|2019}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2020

| align=left | {{sortname|Kanye|West}}

| align=left | United States

| $170 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|170|2020}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2021

| align=left | {{sortname|Bruce|Springsteen}}

| align=left | United States

| $435 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|435|2021}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2022

| align=left | Sting

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $210 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|210|2022}}}} million

|

=Female=

File:191125 Taylor Swift at the 2019 American Music Awards (cropped).png became the annual highest-paid musician twice and the annual highest-paid female musician four times.]]

File:Céline Dion 2012.jpg became the annual highest-paid female musician four times.]]

File:Beyoncé - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - 1st June 2023 (6 of 118) (52945304172) (high cropped).jpg became the annual highest-paid female musician four times.]]

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Highest-paid female musicians of the year

! Year

! Musician

! Nationality

! Earnings

! Adjusted earnings
(in {{Inflation/year|US}} dollar)

! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" | 1987

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $47 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|47|1987}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1988

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $46 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|46|1988}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1989

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $43 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|43|1989}}}} million

| {{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/edef33ab745a71be03833ac93be81e58|title=Michael Jackson Remains Highest-Paid Entertainer; Aging Rockers On A Roll|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=August 2, 2022|date=September 16, 1989|first=Stefan|last=Fatsis|archive-date=March 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314073321/https://apnews.com/article/edef33ab745a71be03833ac93be81e58|url-status=live}}

scope="row" | 1990

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $62 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|62|1990}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1991

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $63 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|63|1991}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1992

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $48 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|48|1992}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1993

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $37 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|37|1993}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1994

| align=left | {{sortname|Barbra|Streisand}}

| align=left | United States

| $57 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|57|1994}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1995

| align=left | {{sortname|Barbra|Streisand}}

| align=left | United States

| $63 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|63|1995}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1996

| align=left | {{sortname|Mariah|Carey}}

| align=left | United States

| $32 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|32|1996}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1997

| align=left | {{sortname|Celine|Dion}}

| align=left | Canada

| $65 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|65|1997}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1998

| align=left | {{sortname|Celine|Dion}}

| align=left | Canada

| $55.5 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|55.5|1998}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 1999

| align=left | {{sortname|Shania|Twain}}

| align=left | Canada

| $48 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|48|1999}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2001

| align=left | {{sortname|Britney|Spears}}

| align=left | United States

| $38.5 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|38.5|2001}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2002

| align=left | {{sortname|Mariah|Carey}}

| align=left | United States

| $58 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|58|2002}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2003

| align=left | Cher

| align=left | United States

| $33.1 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|33.1|2003}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2004

| align=left | {{sortname|Celine|Dion}}

| align=left | Canada

| $28 million{{efn|Although Forbes listed Celine Dion and Cher each with rounded earnings of $28 million in 2004, the former was ranked higher than the latter.{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/celebrities2004/LIRIR24.html?passListId=53&passYear=2004&passListType=Person&uniqueId=IR24&datatype=Person|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609234025/http://www.forbes.com/celebrities2004/LIRIR24.html?passListId=53&passYear=2004&passListType=Person&uniqueId=IR24&datatype=Person|title=Celine Dion > Pay Rank 35|magazine=Forbes|archive-date=June 9, 2008|access-date=March 7, 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/celebrities2004/LIRB8RR.html?passListId=53&passYear=2004&passListType=Person&uniqueId=B8RR&datatype=Person|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323104851/http://www.forbes.com/celebrities2004/LIRB8RR.html?passListId=53&passYear=2004&passListType=Person&uniqueId=B8RR&datatype=Person|title=Cher > Pay Rank 42|magazine=Forbes|archive-date=March 23, 2007|access-date=March 7, 2023}}}}

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|28|2004}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2005

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $50 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|50|2005}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2006

| align=left | {{sortname|Celine|Dion}}

| align=left | Canada

| $40 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|40|2006}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2007

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $72 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|72|2007}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2008

| align=left | Beyoncé

| align=left | United States

| $80 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|80|2008}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2009

| align=left | Madonna

| align=left | United States

| $110 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|110|2009}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2010

| align=left | Beyoncé

| align=left | United States

| $87 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|87|2010}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2011

| align=left | {{sortname|Lady|Gaga}}

| align=left | United States

| $90 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|90|2011}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2012

| align=left | {{sortname|Britney|Spears}}

| align=left | United States

| $58 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|58|2012}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2013

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | Madonna *

| align=left | United States

| $125 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|125|2013}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2014

| align=left | Beyoncé

| align=left | United States

| $115 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|115|2014}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2015

| align=left | {{sortname|Katy|Perry}}

| align=left | United States

| $135 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|135|2015}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2016

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | {{sortname|Taylor|Swift}} *

| align=left | United States

| $170 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|170|2016}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2017

| align=left | Beyoncé

| align=left | United States

| $105 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|105|2017}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2018

| align=left | {{sortname|Katy|Perry}}

| align=left | United States

| $83 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|83|2018}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2019

| style="background:#FAEB86;" align=left | {{sortname|Taylor|Swift}} *

| align=left | United States

| $185 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|185|2019}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2020

| align=left | {{sortname|Ariana|Grande}}

| align=left | United States

| $72 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|72|2020}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2021

| align=left | {{sortname|Taylor|Swift}}

| align=left | United States

| $52 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|52|2021}}}} million

|

scope="row" | 2022

| align=left | {{sortname|Taylor|Swift}}

| align=left | United States

| $92 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|92|2022}}}} million

|

Highest-paid musicians by decade

=2010s=

File:Dr. Dre in 2011.jpg became the highest-paid musician of the 2010s decade.]]

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Top 10 highest-paid musicians of the 2010s decade{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2019/12/23/from-beyonc-to-paul-mccartney-the-10-top-earning-musicians-of-the-decade/?sh=662cb5f47fe5 |title=From Taylor Swift To Dr. Dre: The 10 Top-Earning Musicians Of The Decade |work=Forbes|date= |accessdate=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727114730/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2019/12/23/from-beyonc-to-paul-mccartney-the-10-top-earning-musicians-of-the-decade/?sh=662cb5f47fe5 |url-status=live }}

! class="unsortable" | Rank

! Musician

! Nationality

! Earnings

! Adjusted earnings
(in {{Inflation/year|US}} dollar)

scope="row" | 1

| align=left | Dr. Dre

| align=left | United States

| $950 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|950|2019}}}} million

scope="row" | 2

| align=left | Taylor Swift

| align=left | United States

| $825 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|825|2019}}}} million

scope="row" | 3

| align=left | Beyoncé

| align=left | United States

| $685 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|685|2019}}}} million

scope="row" | 4

| align=left | U2

| align=left | Ireland

| $675 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|675|2019}}}} million

scope="row" | 5

| align=left | Diddy

| align=left | United States

| $605 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|605|2019}}}} million

scope="row" | 6

| align=left | Elton John

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $565 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|565|2019}}}} million

scope="row" | 7

| align=left | Jay-Z

| align=left | United States

| $560 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|560|2019}}}} million

scope="row" | 8

| align=left | Paul McCartney

| align=left | United Kingdom

| $535 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|535|2019}}}} million

scope="row" | 9

| align=left | Katy Perry

| align=left | United States

| $530 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|530|2019}}}} million

scope="row" | 10

| align=left | Lady Gaga

| align=left | United States

| $500 million

| ${{formatnum:{{inflation|US|500|2019}}}} million

See also

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

Print sources

  • {{cite book|last=McAleer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave McAleer|title=Chart Beats|publisher=Guinness Publishing|year=1991|isbn=0851129641}}
  • {{cite book|last=Glenday|first=Craig|title=Guinness World Records 2015|publisher=Guinness Publishing|year=2015|url=https://archive.org/details/GuinnessWorldRecords2015/page/n169/mode/2up?q=Madonna}}

{{Forbes Magazine Lists}}

{{Music industry}}

Highest-paid musicians

Category:Top people lists

Category:Lists of musicians

Category:Lists of salaries