Forbes is usually the go-to for celebrity earnings and net worth but Billboard has assembled its own "money makers" list based exclusively on what performers brought in from musical earnings, such as live revenues and album sales (no sponsorship money or other other jobs outside of the industry...sorry Dr. Dre). When considered for music-based earnings, One Direction topped the chart for the last year, bringing in $46 million. Zayn Malik may want to reconsider some recent career decisions.
You'll quickly notice that all of the highest earners also had huge tours during 2014. One Direction, for example, hosted the highest-earning tour of any act in its "Where We Are" tour, which made up $40.7 million of the band's earnings.
Here's the rest of the list, with how much they brought in last year. Katy Perry looks to be the highest earning individual, as she comes in at no. 2 (whereas One Direction has to split the money five ways).
01) One Direction...$46 million
02) Katy Perry...$30.1 million
03) Justin Timberlake...$27.9 million
04) Billy Joel...$27.2 million
05) The Eagles...$26.2 million
06) Luke Bryan...$25 million
07) Paul McCartney...$23.5 million
08) George Strait...$22.5 million
09) Jay Z...$22 million
10) Jason Aldean...$20.2 million
11) Bruno Mars...$19.9 million
12) Beyoncé...$19.6 million
13) Cher...$16 million
14) Miley Cyrus...$16 million
15) Taylor Swift...$13.6 million
16) Dave Matthews Band...$13.3 million
17) Lady Gaga...$13.3 million
18) Britney Spears...$13.1 million
19) Zac Brown Band...$12.6 million
20) Eminem...$11.9 million
21) Drake...$10.6 million
22) Eric Church...$10.2 million
23) Jimmy Buffett...$10.1 million
24) Phish...$9.9 million
25) Motley Crue...$9.4 million
26) Journey...$9.1 million
27) Blake Shelton...$9 million
28) Fleetwood Mac...$9 million
29) Bruce Springsteen...$8.8. million
30) Celine Dion...$8.6 million
31) Florida Georgia Line...$8.4 million
32) Rihanna...$8.3 million
33) Brad Paisley...$7.4 million
34) Marc Anthony...$7.2 million
35) Elton John...$7 million
36) P!nk...$7 million
37) James Taylor...$7 million
38) Pearl Jam...$6.9 million
39) Rascal Flatts...$6.9 million
40) Tom Petty...$6.7 million
