America's Reese Witherspoon has become Hollywood's highest earning actress, according to a new survey.

The Oscar-winning actress topped The Hollywood Reporter's annual list of the highest-paid actresses.

Witherspoon, 31, who has starred in blockbuster movies such as Walk the Line and Just Like Heaven, is paid between $15m and $20m for each film she appears in.

Angelina Jolie jumped six places to second. She also earns somewhere in the region of $15m-$20m per movie.

Cameron Diaz, another US actress, was third, averaging $15m.

Last year's top earner, Australia's Nicole Kidman, fell to fourth place, with an asking price of $10m-$15m a film.

Julia Roberts, who topped the list back in 2005, Renee Zellweger and Sandra Bullock also demand $10m-$15m per movie.

Drew Barrymore and Jodie Foster command $11m per film, while Catwoman star Halle Berry rakes in $10m.

But female film stars are still a long way behind their male counterparts when it comes to pay.

"Traditionally, the top male actors - like Mel Gibson and Tom Cruise - make around $30m per film, with a piece of the film's profits," Hollywood Reporter's Michelle Grabicki told the Associated Press news agency.

"Men traditionally command a higher salary than the women. It's a newer trend, women getting a percentage of the back end."