Learn how much voice actors make, from small gigs to big wins and how much to charge for a voiceover with practical tips in this guide.
Imagine recording a goofy voicemail for a friend and hearing, “You could get paid for that!” Oh yes! It happens. Voice acting is a real job and a fascinating one, too.
Here, we will discuss how much voice actors earn and how to set fair rates for their work. Think of this as a friendly chat over coffee, breaking down the details for anyone curious or ready to jump in!
Let’s begin!
You may also like: How To Become A Voice Actor And Get Highly Paid Jobs In 2025
Table of Contents
Key Takeways
- Pay Varies Widely: Voice actors earn $50-$150 starting, $200-$500 with experience, and $1,000+ at the top. Project type and client size drive the difference.
- Set Smart Rates: Start at $100-$200 for small jobs, research market rates (e.g., $300-$1,000 for national ads), and add for extra effort like revisions.
- Experience Grows Value: More gigs mean better skills, higher pay and every job counts.
- Tools Matter: A decent mic and a demo are non-negotiable to land work and sound pro.
- Protect the Paycheck: Contracts prevent losses and list terms every time.
- Hustle Pays Off: Connections and persistence turn $50 gigs into $500+ wins over time.
What is Voice Acting All About?
Voice acting means using your voice to bring things to life, like cartoons, commercials, audiobooks, or even those automated “Press 1” voice messages.
It is a mix of creativity and effort, and plenty of people fall in love with its variety. One day, it’s a quirky video game character; the next day, it’s a soothing narration for a meditation app.
Here are some common voice acting jobs:
- Commercials (Television, radio, online ads)
- Animation (Cartoons, movies plagues)
- Video games (big or small roles)
- Voice prompts (Phone systems, apps)
- Narration (audiobooks, e-learning, documentaries)
Each project has its style and pay shifts. It is more than talking, it is acting through sound.
How much do Voice Actors make?
This is the best part! Let’s see how much voice actors make, You’re going to be one soon!
Voice actor pay varies widely, think of it like guessing candy in a bar. Experience, project type and a bit of luck all factor in.
Here is a clear breakdown based on what’s out there:
- Entry level Pay: Range from $50-$150 per gig, these are local radio ads, small Youtube videos and indie projects.
- Mid-Level Earning: Range from $150-$500 per job. Examples are corporate training videos, regional commercials, and short audio books. This comes with some experience and a few solid gigs under the belt.
- Top-Tier Pros: Range from $1000+ per session and go up to millions yearly. Examples include National ad campaigns, lead roles in animated series, and celebrity endorsements.
There is also the hourly and project rate fee.
- Hourly: $50-$100 per hour for recording time
- Project: Flat fees (e.g, $200 for a 60-second ad)
Here’s a tip for you: Hourly suits longer work like audiobooks, and flat fees can pay off for quick jobs.
What Affects a Voice Actor’s Pay?
Pay isn’t random, it is important to know that several factors shape it. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Experience: Newcomers start small, but each gig builds skills and reputation over time
Project Type
- Short jobs: Radio spots(30 seconds) might pay $100-$300 fast.
- Longer jobs: Audio books can bring $200-$350 per finished hour but take days
- Small Clients: Local businesses often pay $100-$200.
- Big Clients: National brands might offer $1000+ for the same effort.
Union vs Non-Union
- Union: For example, (SAG-AFTRA) Minimum fee is $200-$400 per session, plus benefits, but it requires a membership that starts at $3000+. One tradeoff about Union membership is that it offers stability.
- Non-Union: Rates range from $50-$500 with more flexibility and no union rules. One tradeoff about Non-Union is that it gives freedom.
Location
- Big cities(LA, NYC) have more opportunities
- Online platforms mean work can come from anywhere
Usage
- One-time local use pays less; a year-long national campaign pays more and boosts rates.
How Much Should I Charge For a Voiceover?
Setting rates doesn’t have to feel like guesswork. Here’s a step-by-step guide to pricing voiceover work fairly.
Step 1 (Access Value)
- Consider: What makes a voice stand out? Is it clarity, warmth, energy?
- Starting Point : $100-$200 for small jobs works for beginners, it is reasonable and not cheap.
Step 2 (Research the Market)
Ranges;
- Commercials: $100-$250 (local), $300-$1000 (national)
- Narration: 50-$150 (short, $200-$400 (longer)
- Audio books: $200-$350 per finished hour
Step 3 (Account for Time and Effort)
- Breakdown: A 30-second ad might take 1 hour to record, plus 1-2 hours for edits and revisions.
- Suggestion: add $50-$100 for extra takes and heavy tweaking.
Step 4 ( Balance Flexibility and Fairness)
- Negotiation: Dropping from $200-$150 might secure a repeat client, smart if it pays off later.
- Limit: Don’t dip too low, $25 for hours to work isn’t worth it.
Sample Rates to Use
- 30-second local ad: $100-$300
- 60-second online video: $150-$350
- 5-minute narration: $150-$400
- Audiobook (per finished hour): $200-$350
- Video game character (small role): $200-$500
How to Get What You Deserve
Here’s how to ensure the pay matches the effort, this is a practical advice for anyone in the game.
Create a strong Demo.
- Why: Clients need to hear what’s on offer before hiring.
- How: Record 1-2 minutes of varied styles ( for example, ad, narration); even a basic version works to start.
Build Connections
- Tip: Chat with other voice actors online or at events; referrals often lead to gigs.
- Bonus: A happy client may pass a name along, too.
Master Pricing
- Start: $100-$200 for newbies, then raise as confidence and skills grow.
- Watch Out: Charging too little early can sting; it’s better to aim fair from the beginning.
Use Contracts
- What: List rate, usage ( for example, 1-month local ad), and add payment terms.
- Why: No contract can mean no pay, and $50 losses hurt.
Keep Improving
- How: Free YouTube tutorials that cover breathing, pacing, or tools like Audacity.
- Results: Sharper skills justify higher rates over time.
Get Decent Gear
- Basics: A good mic ($100-$200), quiet space, editing software like Protools, Audacity, Reaper.
- Impact: Quality sound makes the work seriously
Real Examples From the Field
Here’s a peek at how it plays out for real people; no names, just stories.
- Beginner Path: Someone started with $50 local ads, recording in a makeshift home setup. Two years later, they’re landing $500 projects, this is proof effort adds up.
- Big Win: Another person grinded $100 gigs for months, then scored a $1,200 video game role. The excitement was palpable; hard work had paid off.
- Tough Moments: Dry spells happen; weeks with no bookings test patience. Mistakes like undercharging or flubbing auditions teach lessons.
Wrapping Up: How Much Do Voice Actors Make – How Much Should I Charge for A Voiceover?
Voice acting offers a paycheck that can range from $50 for a quick local ad to millions for a blockbuster role, all depending on the gig, the effort, and the ambition behind it.
Setting a fair rate isn’t a mystery, it begins with understanding what a voice is worth, checking what others charge, and pricing the work to match the time and skill involved.
This isn’t a fast track to wealth; it’s a craft that rewards those who stick with it, growing from small beginner jobs to steady income, with top pros proving there’s no ceiling for success.
The real lesson here? Success in voice acting comes down to valuing the work and building on every opportunity; big or small.
Getting started is simple: record a demo this week with a basic mic, browse a site like Voices.com for rate ideas, and take on a $100 gig to test the waters.
The path will have its ups and downs; quiet weeks will challenge patience, but breakthroughs will make it worthwhile.
Anyone with a voice and some drive can turn this into something real; it’s less about perfection and more about showing up, learning, and pushing forward. Do you have rates or questions to share? Leave them in the comments, sharing can light the way for the next step!
Author
Vivian Odili is a Customer Support Rep and SEO writer at Adilo
Her main focus is ensuring total customers' satisfaction. She also writes informative knowledgebase articles to help customers get the most from Adilo.
Felix is the Senior Content Editor and Strategist at Adilo, where he harnesses his expertise in social video marketing, online video platforms, video editing, e-commerce, e-learning, and marketing to to help businesses drive results. With a keen eye for storytelling and a pulse on industry trends, Felix crafts actionable content that empowers brands to elevate their video marketing strategies and thrive in the digital landscape.
