How Much Should New Voice Actors Charge? The TRUTH About VO Rates

If there’s one question every new single solitary voice actor who’s starting to seek work asks, it’s this: How much should I charge?

If you're just starting out, the answer isn’t as simple as “pick a number and hope for the best.” Rates in voiceover aren’t arbitrary; they’re based on industry standards, market value, and genre.

So let’s break this down the right way, because guessing—or even worse, undercharging—can do more damage than you think.

Before You Even Think About Pricing, Are You Ready to Work?

I know, I know—you’re eager to start booking. But before we talk numbers, let’s be real: Are you actually ready to work as a professional voice actor? Because jumping in too early can mean you getting your ass handed to you.

Here’s what you need in place before you even start seeking work:

1. Baseline Training (Several Months at Minimum)

If you’ve just discovered voiceover through a TikTok video and haven’t had any professional coaching, you’re not ready. Period. This is a business, and just like any other professional service, you need actual training.

Several months of coaching in performance technique, vocal delivery, script analysis, and character development is bare minimum before you even think about getting paid for your voice.

Investing in coaching helps you develop consistency, vocal stamina, and the ability to take direction—all critical skills for a working voice actor.

Even if you have a naturally great voice, welcome to the big leagues – everyone has a nice voice. Raw talent alone won’t cut it.

A trained voice actor who understands how to interpret scripts and deliver precisely what clients need will always, always, always outperform someone relying purely on natural ability.

2. Professional Demos (Ideally Two, Never DIY)

Recording a few lines on your USB mic and calling it a “demo” doesn’t count. A professional demo—produced by an experienced demo producer—is your calling card.

If you’re planning to work in commercial and corporate narration (two strong beginner-friendly genres), you should have at least one pro demo, ideally two. Anything less, and you’re just not competitive.

A great demo isn’t a few of voice clips thrown together; it’s a strategically crafted showcase of your ability to perform in different styles and tones that clients actually hire for, and a good replication of what you can actually do in your booth left to your own direction.

A homemade demo or a rushed, poorly produced demo can actively hurt your chances of booking work, giving clients the impression that you’re not ready.

Clients and agents have long memories. Put garbage in front of them and they won’t forget it.

3. A Solid Voiceover Website

No one is taking you seriously if your online presence consists of a scattered social media account or a demo buried in a Google Drive folder.

You need a clean, professional voiceover website where potential clients can easily listen to your demos, learn about your services, and contact you. If they have to dig for your work, they’ll move on to someone else.

A professional website should include:

• Your demos (front and center, easy to play and download)

• A short bio that establishes credibility

• A clear contact form for business inquiries

• Optional: Client testimonials, studio specs, and meetings calendar

Think of your website as your digital storefront. If it looks amateurish, clients will assume your work is, too.

If you’re missing any of these three foundational pieces, stop worrying about rates and focus on getting your business setup right first.

Why Starting Too Soon Can Hurt Your Career

Let’s say you ignore the advice above and start auditioning and quoting rates before you’re ready. What’s the worst that could happen? Plenty.

• You’ll Make a Bad First Impression – Clients remember bad experiences. If you don’t have the chops yet, you risk delivering subpar work, and that client won’t hire you again—and worse, they’ll tell others.

• You’ll Underprice Yourself – Without understanding proper industry rates, you’ll be tempted to charge too little, which can leave thousands or tens of thousands of dollars on the table and drags down the industry as a whole.

• You’ll Burn Out Faster – If you’re struggling to land gigs because your skills aren’t there yet, frustration sets in quickly. Too many people quit voiceover not because they “weren’t good enough” but because they tried to run before they could walk.

• You’ll Attract Low-Quality Clients – Without professional demos and proper training, the only clients who will take you seriously are the ones looking for the cheapest possible option. Do you really want to spend your days recording $5 voiceovers for someone’s cousin’s YouTube channel? Didn’t think so.

Understanding Voiceover Rates (And Why the GVAA Rate Guide Matters)

Alright, so you’ve done the prep work. You’ve got training, pro demos, and a website. Now, let’s talk rates.

The GVAA Rate Guide: Your Best Friend (And Your Biggest Headache)

If you haven’t already, bookmark this link: GVAA Rate Guide

The GVAA Rate Guide is the industry standard in North America for non-union voiceover rates. It covers everything from commercial and corporate narration to eLearning, animation, IVR, and more.

The good news is it provides a 3rd-party, objective resource for you and your clients on professional non-union voiceover rates. There’s no guessing and that is HUGE. Think of how many other fields – graphic design, coding, photography, and the list goes on – where rates are made up and all over the place. We’re so fortunate in this business to have this resource.

But, I’ll say this: Because it’s so powerful and thorough, it’s a lot. The guide can feel overwhelming at first, and it’s not exactly intuitive to navigate. But here’s the thing—you don’t have to memorize the whole thing. Instead, start with the genres you’re pursuing. If you’re working in commercial and corporate narration, focus there first.

More importantly, know that rates aren’t set in stone. Factors like usage, exclusivity, and licensing all affect the final quote. That’s why it’s crucial to understand how to price, not just what to price.

Where to Learn the Finer Points of Quoting Voiceover Work

If the GVAA Rate Guide feels like reading brain surgery instructions in a foreign language, you’re not alone. That’s why I highly recommend checking out VO Rates 101.

VO Rates 101 is designed to help you make sense of voiceover pricing—so you don’t have to guess, undercharge, or overcomplicate things. You’ll learn:

• How to break down a project’s scope and price accordingly

• When and how to negotiate rates

• What factors influence pricing beyond just “how long is the script?”

• How to confidently quote without second-guessing yourself

Bottom line? If you’re serious about making money in voiceover, learning how to price your work correctly is just as important as your performance skills.

Price With Confidence

Voiceover is a business. If you approach it like one from the start, you’ll set yourself up for long-term success. Take your time, do it right, and when it’s time to quote, charge what you’re worth.