Taylor Swift tops Forbes' list of highest-paid women in music for 2016

Taylor Swift attends the Jingle Bell Ball at 02 Arena on December 7, 2014 in London, England. Photo / Getty

Taylor Swift has been named the highest-paid woman in music for 2016 in Forbes' annual list.

In an ironic twist, last year's winner was Swift's arch rival, Katy Perry.

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift performs onstage during The 1989 World Tour Live In Los Angeles at Staples Center on August 21, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Photo / Getty

According to Forbes, the Shake It Off singer's staggering US$170 million ($233NZ million) haul was largely due to her 1989 World Tour, which pulled in more than a quarter of a billion dollars.

She also appeared in commercials for brands including Keds, Diet Coke and Apple.

Trailing behind Swift on the list was Adele, who placed second with US$80.5 million thanks to massive album sales for 25 - which delivered the highest annual earnings total of her career to date.

Taylor Swift performs her only full concert of 2016 during the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on October 22, 2016 in Austin, Texas. Photo / Getty

Number three on the list was Madonna, off the back of the successful Rebel Heart tour which grossed US$170 million.

Here's the full list of winners (in US dollars):

Taylor Swift ($170 million)
Adele ($80.5 million)
Madonna ($76.5 million)
Rihanna ($75 million)
Beyoncé ($54 million)
Katy Perry ($41 million)
Jennifer Lopez ($39.5 million)
Britney Spears ($30.5 million)
Shania Twain ($27.5 million)
Celine Dion ($27 million)