AKIPRESS.COM - US pop star Taylor Swift, boy band One Direction and British singer Adele were the highest paid musicians in the world this year according to Forbes magazine.

With earnings of $US170 million ($230 million) from touring, recordings, endorsements and other income, Swift, 26, earned the title of 2016's highest paid musician. She pulled in a gross total of more than $US200 million on the North American portion of her 1989 world tour.

The Bad Blood singer was followed by One Direction, the English-Irish pop band, which brought in $US110 million, grossing $US200 million-plus for its recent On The Road Again Tour. Members of the band include Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and, previously, Zayn Malik.

Ranking third was Hello singer Adele, 28, with $US80.5 million — her highest earnings total yet, while veteran Australian rock band AC/DC were also among the top 10, earning $US67.5 million.

Adele, whose album 25 was the biggest seller of 2015, enjoyed continued success with album sales this year and grossed millions per night for her arena shows.

The top 10:

Taylor Swift — $US170 million
One Direction — $US110 million
Adele — $US80.5 million
Madonna — $US76.5 million
Rihanna — $US75 million
Garth Brooks — $US70 million
AC/DC — $US67.5 million
Rolling Stones — $US66.5 million
Calvin Harris — $US63 million
Diddy - $US62 million