A survey by Forbes magazine has estimated the Oscar winner earned $52 million ($32.5 million) from June 2014 to June 2015, a full $16.5 million (£10.3 million) ahead of her nearest rival, The Avengers actress Scarlett Johansson, who came in second with $35.5 million (£22.2 million).

The news comes just months after Lawrence found herself mired in controversy after emails leaked from the Sony Pictures studio revealed she and Amy Adams had been paid significantly less than their male co-stars in 2013 drama American Hustle.

The magazine's latest run-down has elevated Lawrence from number two in the 2014 rankings, but her wages are still dwarfed by those of Robert Downey. Jr, who Forbes recently named as the world's best paid actor with earnings of $80 million (£50 million).

Lawrence has moved ahead of last year's (14) top female earner Sandra Bullock, who dropped to number 15 on the list with $8 million (£5 million), while Melissa MCCarthy came in at three with $23 million (£14.4 million) ahead of Chinese actress Bingbing Fan and newlywed Jennifer Aniston at four and five respectively.