Paul McCartney is the richest bassist in the world in 2026, with a net worth estimated at around $1.3 billion. This list ranks seven bassists from rock and pop by estimated net worth as of October 2026. All figures are approximate estimates, not confirmed, and we only rank bassists with a published figure to support a number.
Most of the money comes from band catalogs, touring and brand rights, and the gap between #1 and the rest is huge: Sting, in second place, is estimated at less than a third of McCartney’s fortune.
| Rank | Bassist | Net worth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul McCartney | Around $1.3 billion |
| 2 | Sting | Around $400 million |
| 3 | Gene Simmons | Around $300 million |
| 4 | Roger Waters | Around $250 million |
| 5 | Adam Clayton | Around $200 million |
| 6 | John Deacon | Around $150 million |
| 7 | John Paul Jones | Around $65 million |
1. Paul McCartney: Net worth around $1.3 billion
Paul McCartney is the bassist and co-founder of The Beatles, and later led Wings. His net worth is estimated at around $1.3 billion (a published estimate of about 1 billion pounds), which makes him by far the richest musician on this list.
His fortune rests on the Beatles catalog, his own publishing company MPL Communications, which owns songs by other writers, and large touring income. The Beatles single Now and Then was released in November 2023, and he has toured widely in recent years.
Valuation basis: a published estimate of about 1 billion pounds for his fortune, resting on his Beatles and Wings catalog, publishing assets and touring income. It is an estimate, not a confirmed figure.
2. Sting: Net worth around $400 million
Sting, born Gordon Sumner on October 2, 1951, was the bassist, singer and main songwriter of The Police before a long solo career. His net worth is estimated at around $400 million.
In 2022 he sold his song catalog, including The Police songs, to Universal Music Publishing; the price was not disclosed but was reportedly around $300 million or more. He still tours widely, and songs such as Every Breath You Take continue to earn royalties.
Valuation basis: a reported (not confirmed) catalog sale of around $300 million in 2022, plus touring and other assets, in line with a published estimate of about 320 million pounds.
3. Gene Simmons: Net worth around $300 million
Gene Simmons, born Chaim Witz, co-founded KISS in 1973 and plays bass in the band, known for its face paint and stage shows. His net worth is estimated at around $300 million.
KISS finished its farewell tour in December 2023 and in 2024 the band’s catalog and brand were sold to the Swedish company Pophouse in a deal reportedly worth more than $300 million. Simmons also earns from licensing, merchandise and TV and business ventures.
Valuation basis: a share of a reported (not confirmed) band catalog and brand sale worth over $300 million in 2024, plus licensing and other businesses. His exact share is not public, so this is a rough estimate.
4. Roger Waters: Net worth around $250 million
Roger Waters, born September 6, 1943, co-founded Pink Floyd and became its main lyricist after Syd Barrett left in 1968. His net worth is estimated at around $250 million.
Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon alone has sold over 40 million copies. His solo tour The Wall Live, which began in 2010, became the highest-grossing tour by a solo artist by 2013, and he toured again with This Is Not a Drill in 2022 and 2023.
Valuation basis: an estimate based on Pink Floyd songwriting royalties and large solo tours, in line with published estimates of roughly 160 to 190 million pounds. It is approximate.
5. Adam Clayton: Net worth around $200 million
Adam Clayton, born March 13, 1960, is the bassist of U2. His net worth is estimated at around $200 million.
U2’s 360 Degrees Tour from 2009 to 2011 grossed about $736 million, which made it the highest-grossing tour in history at the time. The band later played a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, and Clayton reworked the Mission: Impossible theme with drummer Larry Mullen Jr. in 1996.
Valuation basis: roughly a quarter share of the band’s fortune (a published estimate of about 625 million pounds for U2 as a group), with one tour that grossed about $736 million. It is approximate.
6. John Deacon: Net worth around $150 million
John Deacon, born August 19, 1951, is the former bassist of Queen. His net worth is estimated at around $150 million.
He wrote some of the band’s biggest songs, including You’re My Best Friend and Another One Bites the Dust, and co-wrote Under Pressure. Queen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and Deacon retired from music in 1997.
Valuation basis: a published estimate of about 125 million pounds on a 2019 rich list, driven by Queen songwriting royalties. It is an older, approximate figure.
7. John Paul Jones: Net worth around $65 million
John Paul Jones, born John Baldwin on January 3, 1946, is the bassist, keyboardist and co-songwriter of Led Zeppelin. His net worth is estimated at around $65 million.
He was a sought-after session musician in the 1960s, working with artists such as Rod Stewart and The Rolling Stones, and formed Led Zeppelin with Jimmy Page in 1968. He later formed the group Them Crooked Vultures and plays many instruments, including mandolin and steel guitar.
Valuation basis: a rough estimate from Led Zeppelin royalties and session work. A published list put him at about 40 million pounds in 2009, so this is an older, approximate figure.
Also notable
Several other famous bassists are not ranked because we could not find a published net worth figure to support a number. Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers co-founded the Silverlake Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles. Bill Wyman played with The Rolling Stones from 1962 until 1993 and later formed Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. Geezer Butler wrote most of Black Sabbath’s lyrics in the Ozzy Osbourne era and took part in the band’s July 2025 farewell show. Krist Novoselic co-founded Nirvana and later played in Flipper.
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Who is the richest bassist in the world?
Paul McCartney, with a net worth estimated at around $1.3 billion as of October 2026.
How much is Sting worth?
We estimate around $400 million. He sold his song catalog in 2022 in a deal reportedly worth around $300 million or more, though the price was not disclosed.
Who is the richest bassist after McCartney?
Sting, followed by Gene Simmons of KISS at around $300 million and Roger Waters of Pink Floyd at around $250 million.
What changed in this update?
The list now ranks only the seven bassists with a published figure to support an estimate. John Deacon of Queen joined the ranking, and bassists without a supported figure moved to an unranked section.
Why do bassists often earn less than singers?
Songwriting credits drive most royalties, and in many bands the lead singer writes most songs. Bassists who write, like McCartney, Sting and Waters, earn far more.
How are these net worth figures estimated?
They combine published estimates, reported catalog sale prices, tour grosses and royalty income, and they are approximate and unconfirmed.
How we estimate net worth
Our estimates are based on public reporting, company valuations, and deal and earnings figures all compiled in an internal valuation model. They are approximate, and figures change over time as new information emerges.
We looked at catalog sale prices, tour grosses, album sales and publishing assets for each bassist. Where sale prices or net worths were not public, we show a hedged estimate and treat it as approximate.
Last updated: October 2026.
