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Billboard has posted its year-ending Top Artists list, using sales figures through the first week of December, and five former Idol contestants cracked the top 100.

No one will be surprised to learn that the top-ranking Idol on the top artist chart is Carrie Underwood. She checks in at number 23 thanks largely to the success of a “Play On” album that’s still in the upper half of the Billboard 200 a full year after its release. Three number one country singles helped her ranking, too.

Just four spots behind her on the chart: Adam Lambert, who also ranks number seven on Billboard’s list of top new artists for 2010.

The other Idols cracking the top 100 include Chris Daughtry and his band at number 51, Kris Allen at number 57, Kelly Clarkson at number 90, just one spot behind Britney Spears. In fairness to Kelly, she was a full year removed from the release of “All I Ever Wanted” for most of 2010.

Topping Billboard’s Top Artist chart is Lady Gaga, followed in the top five by Taylor Swift, Eminem, Lady Antebellum and Ke$ha.

Ke$ha topped the new artist list, followed by Justin Bieber and Susan Boyle.

If you’re interested in the complete lists, go here for top artists and here for top new artists.