How Much Money Can You REALLY Make Doing Voice Over?

Here’s the million dollar question: how much money does a voice actor make? I really wish I could say, with absolute certainty, “As a voice over actor, you will be guaranteed a minimum salary of $xxxxxx per year!”

Unfortunately, I can’t do that, because there is no set salary for voice over actors.

What I can tell you, however, is what you can hope to expect as you gain experience, as well as what you might earn when you’re first starting out. As a general overview:

First, some facts. Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that voice actors made, on average, about $34 per hour. TV and radio announcers clocked in at about $40,500 per year. Not too shabby, but maybe not what you were hoping for, right?

Well, consider this: it’s not uncommon for experienced actors to earn anywhere from $100-$300 for a 15 or 30-second ad spot. Of course, this doesn’t take into account the additional work that goes into creating that ad spot, such as time spent preparing, editing, or doing re-reads. Still, that’s not bad for a single ad, is it?

Here are a few other possible scenarios for you:  (non-celebrity voice)

●     Movie trailer - $2,000 - $3000.00

●     Cartoons - $250-$500/hour

●     Corporate video - $500-$850 for a 15-30 minute reading

●     Podcast commercial - $100-$250 for 15-30 second reading

●     Audiobook - $200-$500 per finished hour

Keep in mind that your rates will vary depending on a number of factors, including your experience level, the type of project, the client, and lots more.

But let me conclude by saying this: for me personally, I can’t put a value on the freedom that comes with running my own voice over business. My time is mine to decide what to do with, and I get to decide which projects I work on, who I work with, how I spend my day, etc. etc.  Basically, I’m a free man. And that, my friends, is something you can’t put a price tag on.