In a record-shattering year, the world’s top musical acts generated a collective $1.9 billion. According to Forbes, here is the definitive list of the 25 highest-paid musicians of 2025, ranked by their pre-tax earnings from December 2024 to December 2025.
1. The Weeknd ($298 Million)
A revolutionary $1 billion+ catalog deal with Lyric Capital (netting an estimated $200M), combined with massive profits from his After Hours Til Dawn Tour and his #1 album Hurry Up Tomorrow, launched him to the top.
2. Taylor Swift ($202 Million)
Earnings were fueled by the best-selling album of the year (The Life of a Showgirl), a lucrative Disney+ documentary deal for The Eras Tour, and the enduring, record-breaking streaming power of her 16-album catalog.
3. Beyoncé ($148 Million)
Her Cowboy Carter Tour became the highest-grossing country tour in history, bringing in $407.6 million and propelling her into the billionaire club this year.
4. Kendrick Lamar ($109 Million)
A Super Bowl LIX halftime show performance and his co-headlining Grand National Tour with SZA—the highest-grossing co-billed tour ever ($358.7M)—made him the top-earning rapper of the year.
5. Coldplay ($105 Million)
Their perennial Music of the Spheres World Tour continued its historic run, now challenging for the title of highest-grossing tour of all time with $1.5 billion in total revenue.
6. Shakira ($105 Million)
The Colombian superstar’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour earned $327.4 million, setting a new record as the highest-grossing Latin tour by a woman.
7. Drake ($78 Million)
Income flowed from two separate tours and an estimated $50 million in streaming royalties, boasting the second-highest-earning catalog on this list.
8. Chris Brown ($74 Million)
His 20th-anniversary Breezy Bowl XX Stadium World Tour grossed $285 million in just four months, accounting for the bulk of his yearly earnings.
9. Zach Bryan ($70 Million)
The year’s top country earner signed a massive $350 million deal with Warner Records for his publishing rights and continued his successful Quittin’ Time tour.
10. Bad Bunny ($66 Million)
Crowned Spotify’s Global Top Artist for the 4th time (19.8 billion streams), he also earned heavily from a blockbuster residency in Puerto Rico and a film role.
11. Post Malone ($62 Million)
His Big Ass Stadium Tour brought in nearly $200 million, from which Forbes estimates he netted about $50 million in profit.
12. Ed Sheeran ($60 Million)
He wrapped his monumental $+=÷× Tour—the 4th highest-grossing ever—and immediately launched a new album and tour cycle.
13. Tyler, The Creator ($53 Million)
A surprise #1 album (Don’t Tap the Glass) and the second-highest-grossing rap tour of the year ($174.5M) fueled his earnings.
14. Metallica ($53 Million)
The metal legends continued their global M72 World Tour, boosted by a “no repeat” setlist gimmick and major merchandise sales.
15. Lady Gaga ($52 Million)
A #1 album (Mayhem), a Grammy win, and the launch of her global Mayhem Ball tour contributed to her strong year.
16. Billie Eilish ($52 Million)
The youngest on the list wrapped the international leg of her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour, which grossed an estimated $190 million.
17. Imagine Dragons ($48 Million)
Their Loom World Tour grossed over $200 million in the past 12 months, with the band taking home an estimated $45 million from the road.
18. Dua Lipa ($44 Million)
2025 was her biggest touring year yet, headlining the Radical Optimism Tour globally, including a lucrative two-night stand at London’s Wembley Stadium.
19. Linkin Park ($36 Million)
The band’s emotional comeback with new co-lead singer Emily Armstrong and the From Zero World Tour generated an estimated $185 million in revenue.
20. SZA ($34 Million)
Co-headlining the record-breaking Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar netted her an estimated $20+ million share of the profits.
21. Morgan Wallen ($33 Million)
A #1 debut for his album I’m The Problem and a subsequent stadium tour made him the second-highest-earning country act of the year.
22. Bruno Mars ($31 Million)
Continued his lucrative Las Vegas residency and earned substantial royalties from his streamlined but powerful three-album catalog.
23. Sabrina Carpenter ($29 Million)
Her commercial explosion, driven by hit singles and the Short N’ Sweet Tour, landed her on the list for the first time with major touring and album sales.
24. Andrea Bocelli ($25 Million)
The legendary tenor is the only classical artist on the list, commanding high ticket prices across 50 arena shows worldwide.
25. Iron Maiden ($25 Million)
Celebrating their 50th anniversary, the heavy metal icons launched the massive Run For Your Lives World Tour, grossing an estimated $150 million.
Forbes’ ranking measures pre-tax earnings from music-related activities between Dec. 31, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2025. Figures are net of expenses, manager/agent fees, and include revenue from touring, streaming, catalog deals, and other music ventures.
