India is a country that lives and breathes music, so it’s no surprise to learn that its female singers have evolved from playback singers to actual superstars. At this point, these women are not only shining from the top on stage, they’re also making a ton of money.
Curious to know who’s making the most money with their music? From seasoned legends to new-age icons, we’re revealing the top 10 highest-paid female singers in India.
Brief Overview of the Industry
The Indian music industry has transformed into a booming industry in the last couple of decades driven by Bollywood, streaming platforms, and live concerts and shows. Singers, once hidden behind the screen while actors lip-synced their magic, are now front and center, filling stadiums, judging talent shows, and trending on YouTube. Which is how it should be because half the magic of a hit songs is their vocal renditions.
Now, let’s look at richest Indian female singers who are setting benchmarks.
The Top 10 Highest-Paid Female Singers in India
1. Shreya Ghoshal Estimated Net Worth: ₹185+ crore
Earnings per Song: ₹25-30 lakh
The queen of melody, Shreya Ghoshal, is a household name. From “Teri Ore” to “Agar Tum Mil Jao”, her voice is pure emotion. She started young with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and now charges top dollar not just for songs but also for concerts and brand endorsements.
She has won multiple National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards. Her global fan base makes her one of the most bankable names in the business. She also earns from international tours, judging music shows, endorsements, and YouTube.
2. Sunidhi Chauhan Estimated Net Worth: ₹110+ crore
Earnings per Song: ₹20- 22 lakh
Sunidhi Chauhan’s powerful voice has lit up the screen in tracks like “Sheila Ki Jawani” and “Kamli”. Having performed for over 20 years, her broad range from dance tracks to soulful ballads keeps her in demand. She has also coached on a number of music tv shows, which contributes to her income.
3. Neha Kakkar Estimated Net Worth: ₹104+ crore
Earnings per Song: ₹10-15 lakh
With nonstop dance bangers like “Dilbar”, “Aankh Marey”, and “Kala Chashma”, Neha has made a pop culture statement. She is also earning a substantial income through YouTube, reality shows like Indian Idol, and live shows globally.
4. Lata Mangeshkar Estimated Net Worth (at the time of her passing): ₹360+ crore Earnings Per Song: ₹5 lakh Legacy Earnings: Royalties, state honors, and archival value
Known as the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar’s career spanned over seven decades, during which she recorded over 25,000 songs in multiple languages. Her voice shaped the golden era of Bollywood, with timeless classics like “Lag Ja Gale”, “Tere Bina Zindagi Se”, and “Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh”.
5. Asha Bhosle Estimated Net Worth: ₹80+ crore
Asha Bhosle’s legacy cannot be matched. Even though she is not as active now, her work over the past few decades in Bollywood and all her activities (including global concerts and eateries) continue to generate a steady flow of income. Her voice remains iconic, and she is a pioneer.
6. Tulsi Kumar Estimated Net Worth: ₹70 crore
Earnings per Song: ₹8-10 lakh
As the daughter of the late Gulshan Kumar, Tulsi has established herself with popular tracks such as “Tum Jo Aaye” and “Soch Na Sake”. Today, she is among the top streaming artists as a result of a variety of film songs and independent singles under the T-Series label. She also runs indie projects and features in branded content.
7. Monali Thakur Estimated Net Worth: ₹55 crore
Earnings per Song: ₹6-8 lakh
Monali is known for her sweet yet expressive voice in songs like “Moh Moh Ke Dhaage”. She’s also a National Award winner, a TV judge, and a trained dancer making her a complete entertainer.
8. Palak Muchhal Estimated Net Worth: ₹50 crore
Earnings per Song: ₹6-7 lakh
Palak‘s smooth, emotional vocals suit a romantic song like “Chahun Main Ya Naa”. We know that Palak has a masterful command of her rich vocals but she is not only a singer. She is also a philanthropist, donating her singing career earnings to put children with heart defects through surgery. She balances charity and commercial success.
9. Kanika Kapoor Estimated Net Worth: ₹45 crore
Earnings per Song: ₹8-10 lakh
Kanika Kapoor stormed into Bollywood with “Baby Doll” and hasn’t looked back. Her bold, sexy voice and party tracks make her a favorite for stage shows, which bring in a major chunk of her income.
10. Jonita Gandhi Estimated Net Worth: ₹30+ crore
Earnings per Song: ₹4-6 lakh
Canadian-Indian singer Jonita hasa fresh voice and one of the most promising singers on this list. She has had hits like “The Breakup Song” and “Sau Tarah Ke”. She is also noted for singing in multiple languages as well as international concerts.
Conclusion
Not only are India’s highest-paid female singers extremely talented artists, but they are also savvy businesswomen, industry trendsetters, and role models. They have taken their passion and turned it into profit and are making empires from their voices. Each artist, from Shreya Ghoshal’s emotional resonance to Neha Kakkar’s pop domain, has forged their own lane to achieve success.