Less than you might think – especially when you factor in all the potential benefits they bring to the table. That said, the average American voice over artist earns approximately $31.88 per hour. But that’s before breaking down the different rates for each type of voice over or even the level of skill that goes into them. Suffice it to say, things begin to heat up price-wise when we look at how much a good voice over artist costs.
What Makes a Good Voice Over Artist?
From bringing our favorite animated characters to life to narrating workplace safety videos and audiobooks, you get access to more than a pretty voice or polished project when you work with a good voice over artist. You get an expert in everything about your business and the people who use it.
A good voice over artist is more than a narrator and less costly than a marketing firm. A good voice over artist doesn’t just read words off a script – they’re your marketing all-in-one toolkit. Any voice over artist worth their salt has spent the better part of their career working for multiple companies and brands to help them connect with their target demographics. You’re investing in the face of your brand. You’re putting a human voice to your product and clients. That’s the difference between a good voice over artist and a mediocre one.
What Drives the Price of a Good Voice Over Artist?
From studio fees to editing services, if a good voice over artist seems expensive, it’s for a reason. Much of it has to do with amortizing the cost of becoming and remaining a professional voiceover actor and being available to you. But there are cascading factors at play depending on the nature of the voice over. Is it an audiobook or a commercial? A corporate narration or a dub? While the baseline costs of a voice artist’s fees have to do with the reading length, duration of a session, and whether or not editing is required, the cost of a good voice over performance hinges on what the voice over actually is for. And as such, a good voice over artist can charge anywhere from $250 to $3500 per session.
How Does a Good Voice Over Artist Charge?
A good voice over artist charges either by the minute or by the word – which then branches out into finished hours or recordings, and unfinished. For example, an eLearning rate guide shows us that depending on the length and pace of a project, the estimated costs can vary immensely from recording to recording. Other factors, like the complexity of the script, target audience, studio conditions, turnaround time, and live directions also have a lot to do with how a good voice over artist structures their rates.
6 Reasons a Good Voice Over Artist Costs More
A good voice over artist may cost more than a less experienced or less skilled artist for several reasons:
- Experience and expertise: A good voice over artist has typically been in the industry for a longer time and has built a reputation for producing high-quality work. They have a wealth of experience and expertise that enables them to handle different types of projects and scripts and make adjustments for different recording environments.
- Union vs. non-union: Union voice over artists may cost more than non-union artists because they are required to charge rates set by their union. These rates are usually higher than those charged by non-union artists, and this is reflected in their fees.
- Professionalism: A good voice over artist is a professional in every sense of the word. They are punctual, reliable, and easy to work with. They can take direction well and work effectively with other production team members. They can also deliver high-quality work that meets the project’s expectations and deadlines.
- Studio costs: Good voice over artists typically work in professional recording studios equipped with specialized equipment, high-quality sound engineers. They work with creative teams to help them bring you a fast turnaround. These studios charge higher rates than DIY home studios cost to build – and their fees often reflect that.
That said, one huge difference between a good voice over artist and a great one is their level of experience and ability and the quality of their professional home studio. This lets them keep their rates affordable and quality unblemished.
- Marketing and self-promotion: Good voice over artists typically invest in marketing and self-promotion. This can include building a website, attending industry events, and networking. These costs are reflected in their fees.
- Quality of work: A good voice over artist provides high-quality work, which is the result of their experience, expertise, and professionalism. They can deliver polished recordings that are suitable for broadcast and commercial use. This means that the final product will have a better sound quality, which will justify the cost.
All of these factors contribute to the higher cost of a good voice over artist. However, it is essential to remember that the price of a voice over is an investment in not only the quality, but success of your project and brand.