How are Voice Over Rates Determined?

One of the most common questions I get is: “What do you charge for a voice over?”Great question—and the answer is… it depends!

While I do have a general rate sheet for common types of projects, every job is a little different. Most voice actors, including myself, base our rates on the Global Voice Acting Academy (GVAA) Rate Guide, which is a widely accepted industry reference. But let’s be honest: that thing can look pretty overwhelming if you’re not familiar with it. So, here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand how voice over pricing works.

🔹 First, What Type of Project Is It?

We usually start by asking:Is this a non-broadcast or broadcast project?

🟢 Non-Broadcast

This includes anything that won’t be promoted through paid advertising.Examples:

• Corporate narration

• Website videos

• Explainer videos

• eLearning

• Event announcements

• Museum tours

• Internal training

• Organic (non-boosted) social media posts

  
  

To quote this properly, we need to know how long the script is. Not sure?Here’s a quick tip: 150 words = about 1 minute of narration.

💡 Bonus Fact: Most non-broadcast projects include usage rights in perpetuity, as long as the content isn’t later used for paid advertising.

🔵 Broadcast

Now, if your project will be advertised or shown on platforms like TV, radio, or streaming, it falls under “broadcast.”

Examples:

• TV or radio commercials

• Paid/boosted social media ads

• YouTube pre-roll ads

• In-show narration

• Streaming platforms like Hulu or Roku

• 
  

For these, we’ll need to know:

1. Where the content will air (local, regional, national)

2. For how long (typically 3, 6, or 12 months)

3. Which platforms it will be on

4. 
   

💡 The actual length of the spot (e.g. :15, :30, :60) doesn’t usually affect the rate in broadcast—it’s all about reach and duration.

🚫 Most voice actors don’t offer in-perpetuity rights for broadcast. Why? Because it can limit what brands or industries we can work with in the future.

🎙 What About Directed Sessions?

If you'd like to join the recording via Zoom, Source Connect, or another method to give direction, just let us know!Some actors include this, while others charge a session fee (typically $0–$500, depending on the setup).

✅ Final Thoughts

The more details you can provide, the better we can quote you:

• What’s the project?

• How long is the script?

• Where will it be used?

• For how long?

• Will it be advertised?

• 
  

And hey—don’t be shy about sharing your budget upfront. It helps us quickly figure out if we’re a good match, and we may be able to offer options to make it work.

Got a project in mind? Reach out—I’d love to help bring your words to life!