Carrie Underwood Is Highest Paid ‘American Idol’ – Who Else Tops The List?

Carrie Underwood is the top 'American Idol' earner for 2011. Forbes magazine reports that Carrie made $20 million before taxes and any agent and manager fee deductions. Carrie surpassed Kelly Clarkson as the best-selling 'Idol' of all time. Kelly now ranks at Number Five with an income of $2.5 million. Kellie Pickler rounds out the country-singing Idols with an income of $1.8 million.

Here is the complete Forbes list of highest-paid American Idols:

• 1. Carrie Underwood: $20 million
  2. Chris Daughtry: $6 million (tie), Adam Lambert: $6 million (tie)
  3. Fantasia Barrino: $4 million
  4. Jordin Sparks: $3 million
  5. Kelly Clarkson: $2.5 million
  6. Jennifer Hudson: $2 million
  7. Kellie Pickler: $1.8 million
  8. Clay Aiken: $1.5 million
  9. Katharine McPhee: $1 million (tie), David Archuleta: $1 million (tie), David Cook: $1 million (tie)