{"id":95457,"date":"2022-05-12T08:52:29","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T12:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voice123.com\/thebooth\/?p=95457"},"modified":"2025-09-26T06:40:39","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T10:40:39","slug":"how-much-do-voice-actors-make","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voice123.com\/thebooth\/how-much-do-voice-actors-make\/","title":{"rendered":"How much do voice actors make"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ back_color=”color-faded-cobalt” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”170564″]How much do voice actors make? That\u2019s a common question in the voice over industry because having a good understanding of the voice over rates and salary for different projects is crucial to a career in voice overs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, we\u2019ve put together a guide detailing how much does voice acting pay, the highest-paid voice actors, and info on voice over rates to give you a comprehensive look at what you can expect to earn as a voice actor. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_weight=”900″ text_space=”fontspace-349228″ uncode_shortcode_id=”495282″]<\/p>\n

How much do voice actors make<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text text_lead=”small” uncode_shortcode_id=”634626″]Voice actors can make anything from a few hundred to a few hundred thousand dollars. A voice acting salary is calculated per project on a standalone basis, and it\u2019s influenced by various industry aspects. Here\u2019s a quick breakdown of some of those factors.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text text_lead=”small” uncode_shortcode_id=”228790″]<\/p>\n

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  1. Experience<\/b>: New voice actors may earn less since they usually start with smaller <\/span>VO jobs for beginners<\/span><\/a>, while experienced pros can ask for higher voice over rates due to their reputation and expertise.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Speaking speed:<\/b> According to the <\/span>GVAA<\/span><\/a>, the average speaking speed for voice actors is 150 words per minute. If the project requires a slower pace, the word count and voice actor salary will decrease, and vice versa.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Script length<\/b>: As a general rule, how do voice actors get paid is calculated on a ratio between the word count and the script length. The longer the script, the higher the salary.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Union membership:<\/b> Union voice actors<\/span><\/a>, like those in <\/span>SAG-AFTRA<\/span><\/a>, often receive higher-paying jobs with rates that factor in residuals and royalties. According to this <\/span>voice over report<\/span><\/a>, non-union voice actors are paid less, but they have better flexibility with their jobs.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Special skills:<\/b> Character voices for animations or video games offer high-paying voice actor salaries for long-running series or franchises.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Broadcast vs. non-broadcast<\/b>: Broadcast projects like commercials pay according to market distribution and screen time. So projects for local spots will have a lower voice acting salary compared to projects with a national viewing. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”0″ bottom_padding=”2″ back_color=”color-faded-cobalt” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_button size=”btn-lg” border_width=”0″ link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fvoice123.com%2Fthebooth%2Fhow-to-become-a-voice-actor-in-2022%2F|title:How%20to%20become%20a%20voice%20actor%20|target:_blank” uncode_shortcode_id=”398465″]LEARN HOW TO BECOME A VOICE ACTOR [\/vc_button][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”0″ bottom_padding=”2″ back_color=”color-faded-cobalt” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h3″ uncode_shortcode_id=”119642″]<\/p>\n

    How much do voice actors get paid for different projects?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    [\/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h3″ uncode_shortcode_id=”185028″]<\/p>\n

    How much do voice actors make for commercials?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    [\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”151940″]Voice over rates for commercials range from <\/span>$400 to $5000<\/b>, depending on the market size and usage duration. National TV commercials also often pay more than local or regional spots.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h3″ uncode_shortcode_id=”355674″]<\/p>\n

    How much do voice actors get paid for audiobooks?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    [\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”509505″]Audiobook narrators<\/span><\/a> typically earn between <\/span>$200 and $300<\/b> per hour, and experienced narrators who work with major publishers may receive higher voice over rates. So, depending on the audiobook length, voice actors could earn between <\/span>$2000 and $5000<\/b> per audiobook.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h3″ uncode_shortcode_id=”946487″]<\/p>\n

    How much does a voice actor make for video games?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    [\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”117311″]Video game voice actors<\/span><\/a> can earn <\/span>$200 to $350<\/b> per hour. A video game voice acting salary depends on the game\u2019s budget, the character\u2019s prominence, and the recording session\u2019s length.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h3″ uncode_shortcode_id=”188165″]<\/p>\n

    How much do voice actors make for e-learning?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    [\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”699423″]E-learning voice-over rates typically range from <\/span>$100 to $300<\/b> per finished hour. The script length and technical complexity can also affect the overall pay. If the module is complex and requires a slower speaking pace, it will reduce the script length and the voice actor salary.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h3″ uncode_shortcode_id=”700346″]<\/p>\n

    How much do voice actors make in film and animation?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    [\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”878890″]Voice actors in film and animation can earn from <\/span>$500 to $2,000<\/b> per session. Prominent roles in high-budget productions like <\/span>Netflix voice over jobs<\/span><\/a> usually involve higher salaries.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h3″ uncode_shortcode_id=”129859″]<\/p>\n

    How much do voice actors get paid for narration?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    [\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”180621″]The voice over rate for narration is <\/span>$500 to $1,500<\/b> per hour. These rates also vary depending on the type of project, such as a <\/span>documentary narration<\/span><\/a>, the scope, the budget, and the voice actor\u2019s experience.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ back_color=”color-faded-cobalt” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″][vc_custom_heading text_weight=”900″ uncode_shortcode_id=”143419″]<\/p>\n

    What is the average voice actor salary?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    [\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”791307″]The average voice actor salary in the United States, according to <\/span>ZipRecruiter<\/span><\/a>, is:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n