When planning a voiceover project, the first questions out of the gate are typically “How much does a voiceover cost?” and “What is a voiceover turnaround time these days?”
The answers to both can vary wildly, as much depends on the voiceover types required.
After all, there’s a big difference between recording an audiobook of the latest blockbuster novel and an on-hold messaging menu for the local auto repair shop.
Factors such as the recording location, script revisions, editing, and usage rights all influence the time your professional voice actor will be in the booth, as well as the final cost once the audio is ready for release.
That’s why we’ve broken down five of the most common voiceover types: commercials, narration, e-learning, IVR, and audiobooks, with suggestions of standard industry voiceover rates (based on the GVAA Rate Guide), along with typical turnaround times for each.
Of course, exact costs will be influenced by the region, talent experience, usage rights, and project complexity.
But by the end of this article, you’ll have a sure understanding of how to plan and budget your next voiceover project without problem or pause when someone asks you, “So, really, how much does a voiceover cost?”
Breakdown by Voiceover Type
1. Commercial Voiceovers
Radio and TV commercials (also known as spots) are short-form projects ranging from 15 to 90 seconds.
While they typically require quick turnaround times of about 12 – 48 hours, there isn’t a one-cost-fits-all solution in this genre.
The base usage fee for recording a spot usually starts at $400 – $500+.
But the true cost will depend on the scope of the usage. In other words, where the ad will run and for how long.
Below is a breakdown of commercial usage rates by market:
Local Market
Usage Term Cost Range
3 months $400 – $500
6 months $800 – $1,000
12 months $1,200 – $1,500
Regional Market
Usage Term Cost Range
3 months $500 – $650
6 months $1,000 – $1,300
12 months $1,500 – $1,800
Cable / National (No Major Markets)
Usage Term Cost Range
3 months $750 – $1,250
6 months $1,500 – $2,200
12 months $2,500 – $2,800
National Market
Usage Term Cost Range
3 months $1,250 – $1,400
6 months $2,500 – $2,800
12 months $3,200 – $3,500
Worldwide Add-On – 3× national rate
2. E-Learning Voiceovers
E-learning voiceovers require a clear, balanced tone, correct pronunciation, and the ability to manage consistent, long-form narration.
Costs for a professional e-learning voice actor are generally structured in two ways:
- Per finished minute: $30 – $55
- Per word: $0.20 – $0.35
Generally, there’s a minimum project rate of between $350 – $450. This ensures fair fees for the voice actor, particularly if they’re managing lots of edits and file cuts.
The average turnaround time for an e-learning project is typically 3-4 business days for every 10 – 20 minutes of a voice recording, cut into multiple and named audio files.
3. IVR / Phone System Voiceover
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) menus and on-hold messages are usually short, straightforward scripts that call for a friendly, neutral, and well-paced delivery.
Because of their simplicity, IVR projects usually have quick turnarounds, often within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the size and complexity of the menu system.
IVR Voiceover Rates
- Per finished minute: $50 – $200
- Per word: $0.08 – $0.25
- Minimum project rate: $100 – $200
4. Narration
Narration covers corporate videos, explainers, product demos, and documentary-style content.
With these types of voiceover projects, a professional, steady delivery is a must.
The script length, technicality of the content, and whether the read needs to sync with visuals can influence both time and cost.
That said, narration pricing is usually consistent:
- $350 – $450 – up to 3 minutes
- $450 – $550 – 3 – 5 minutes
- $600 – $700 – 5 – 10 minutes
The average turnaround time typically takes 2-3 business days, again, depending on the amount of text and post-production needed.
5. Audiobook Voiceovers
Audiobooks are the most time-consuming category and require a professional voice actor who checks all the boxes when it comes to storytelling skills, consistent pacing, character voice acting, and extensive editing.
As it’s so time-intensive, voiceover costs are generally standardized around finished audio length. For example:
- Per finished hour (PFH): $200–$500/hr
(This is the cost for edited, mastered, final audio.)
(It takes approx. 4 – 6 hours of work to produce one finished hour.)
Turnaround can take several days to multiple weeks. It really depends on the length of the book and the overall production demands.
What the Data on Voiceover Costs & Turnaround Time Shows
So, how much does a voiceover cost, and what is the average turnaround time? In the end, as you can see, the answer is “it depends.”
However, even a quick glance at the above voiceover types reveals a few clear takeaways and hints at the amount of time and funds you’ll need to squirrel away to ensure your voiceover runs as needed:
- Short-form voiceovers like commercials, explainer, and corporate video voice overs, usually have quick turnarounds, sometimes as fast as a day. Commercial voice over rates, however, can vary widely depending on whether the ad runs locally, nationally, or internationally and what medium/s.
- IVR voiceovers are fairly inexpensive, because they’re short and usage is internal. They are often priced per word or per finished minute, so costs scale with the length of the IVR script.
- Minimum fees for IVR and e-learning projects are a given and ensure voice actors are fairly compensated for setup and editing, even for small voiceover projects.
- Long-form narration (e-learning, training videos) is usually charged per word count, making it easy to estimate costs. If you’re unsure of script length and the amount of time it’ll take to read, a voiceover script calculator like ours can help.
- Audiobooks require the most heavy-lifting, so to speak, with a lot of hours on the clock and extensive editing to ensure the finished product meets publishing standards. The overall costs and turnaround times will depend on script length, editing needs, and overall project complexity.
A great voiceover requires far more than a mic and someone pressing “record.”
So, if you’re still unsure about costs, turnaround times, or finding the right voice actor for your project, drop us a line, and we can help.
Our fully vetted pool of professional voiceover artists covers 80+ native languages and a wide range of voiceover types and styles. Browse our talent online, or get in touch and tell us what you’re looking for
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