Madonna has topped the list of 2008's biggest money earners in America with an income in excess of $240 million.

The singer accrued most of the money from her highly successful Sticky and Sweet tour and it is a similar story for the other acts making up the top five with most of their income being made up of touring revenue.

Madonna is followed by Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, The Police and Celine Dion on the Billboard Moneymakers list.

The fact that Madonna topped the list shows how touring revenue has surpassed record sales in importance for artists, Madonna had only the 50th best selling album in the US in 2008.

The top 20 earners were:

1. Madonna: $242,176,466
2. Bon Jovi: $157,177,766
3. Bruce Springsteen: $156,327,964
4. The Police: $109,976,894
5. Celine Dion: $99,171,237
6. Kenny Chesney: $90,823,990
7. Neil Diamond: $82,174,000
8. Rascall Flatts: $63,522,160
9. Jonas Brothers: $62,638,814
10. Coldplay: $62,175,555
11. The Eagles: $61,132,213
12. Lil Wayne: $57,441,334
13. AC/DC: $56,505,296
14. Michael Buble: $50,257,364
15. Miley Cyrus: $48,920,806
16. Taylor Swift: $45,588,730
17. Journey: $44,787,328
18. Billy Joel: $44,581,010
19. Mary J. Blige: $43,472,850
20. Kanye West: $42,552,402

(by Daniel Melia)