Voiceover Rates: What Is Fair and Reasonable Pricing?
For many people hiring voice talent, understanding voiceover rates can feel like stepping into a black box. Are you paying too little and risking poor quality? Or are you being overcharged without realizing it? These are common concerns, especially for non-union projects where pricing can seem inconsistent.
The truth is, professional voiceover pricing varies by project type, usage, and talent experience. Without clear benchmarks, it’s easy to feel uncertain. This blog will help you understand what “fair and reasonable” voiceover pricing looks like and where to find reliable guidance.
Why Voiceover Pricing Can Be Confusing
The non-union voiceover market is often described as a bit of the “Wild West.” On one end, freelancer sites sometimes advertise voiceovers for $15 or less, usually from hobbyists or beginners. While cheap, these recordings often lack the polish, experience, and broadcast quality that professional projects require.
On the other end, clients worry about being overcharged or working with platforms that take excessive cuts from project budgets. Online casting sites vary widely, some operate with transparency and integrity, while others enforce unfair terms that can limit talent rights.
Add in the fact that pricing changes depending on the genre of voiceover work (commercial, corporate, eLearning, gaming, etc.) and whether you’re working with union vs. non-union talent, and the picture becomes even more complex.
How Buyers Can Evaluate Voiceover Costs
If you’re a company, organization, or independent producer seeking professional voiceover services, it’s natural to ask:
What does fair pricing look like for my project?
How do I set a reasonable budget?
How do I avoid being lowballed by underqualified talent, or overpaying without knowing it?
Fortunately, there are two established industry resources to help answer these questions: the GVAA Rate Guide and the Gravy for the Brain Rate Guide.
The GVAA Rate Guide: A Trusted Standard
The Global Voice Acting Academy (GVAA) created the GVAA Rate Guide to provide clarity in the non-union voiceover market. This guide outlines fair and reasonable ranges for different types of voiceover work across North America.
It’s important to note:
The GVAA Rate Guide is a guide, not a rigid rulebook.
Every voiceover project is negotiable depending on scope, experience level, and client needs.
More experienced voice talent may charge above guide rates.
Less experienced or available talent may negotiate below guide rates.
Large or bundled projects may sometimes be priced under standard rates.
The key benefit of the guide is that it gives both buyers and talent a clear starting point. This fosters consistency, fairness, and mutual understanding in negotiations.
Why the GVAA Rate Guide Matters
In most freelance industries, there’s no universal resource for establishing non-union rates. The GVAA Rate Guide is unique in that it:
Protects talent from being underpaid or exploited.
Helps buyers set realistic budgets and avoid unfair pricing.
Promotes consistency across the voiceover industry.
Encourages healthy competition without driving rates unsustainably low.
This resource benefits both sides by setting expectations and ensuring a baseline of fairness.
Gravy For The Brain Rate Guide: Global Benchmarks for Voiceover Pricing
Understanding how much to charge, or pay for voiceover work can feel like navigating uncharted territory. Thankfully, the Gravy For The Brain Rate Guide provides clarity. It’s one of the most comprehensive, global resources for looking up fair and reasonable voiceover rates, helping both talent and buyers negotiate confidently.
What Is the Gravy For The Brain Rate Guide?
The Gravy For The Brain Rate Guide presents industry-standard voiceover rates globally, compiled by a working group of top professionals from various regions, including the UK, US, Canada, Latin America, MENA, Australia, New Zealand, and more. It even references union minimums, such as those from Equity (UK) and SAG-AFTRA (US).
While the guide offers a structured framework, it's important to remember:
It’s designed as a guide, not a set of fixed rules.
Rates are flexible and open to negotiation, based on project specifics and talent experience
Why It Matters
Global Reach & Local Relevance
Unlike some guides limited to one country, this is truly global—it covers rates across multiple regions, making it a useful resource whether you’re working in the UK, the US, Latin America, or the MENA region.
Transparency and Trust
By providing “Typical Low / Typical Average / Typical Upper” ranges, this guide helps both talent and clients avoid unrealistic expectations, either underpaying or overcharging.
Guiding Fair Negotiation
Just like other respected guides, the Gravy For The Brain Rate Guide ensures both sides have a benchmark for discussion. This helps maintain fairness while encouraging talent to set rates aligned with their skill level and project demands.
How to Use the Guide Effectively
Identify Your Region: Select the relevant country tab—whether that’s the US, UK, Canada, Latin America, or elsewhere.
Review Rate Ranges: Look at the specified ranges for your type of project and desired clarity on the scope of usage.
Negotiate Intelligently: Use the guide as a starting point—not a rule. Feel empowered to adjust according to your experience, project complexity, and client value.
Set Expectations: As a talent, knowing these benchmarks helps you confidently quote. As a client, you’ll be better informed about budget expectations and value.
Why Voiceover Rates Still Vary
Even with rate guides, pricing differs because of:
Experience level: Top-tier professionals may charge above the “Typical Upper,” while emerging talent might start at the lower end.
Project scope: Bigger campaigns, or bundled projects, often involve different pricing logic.
Usage duration and exclusivity: Longer or exclusive usage warrants higher compensation.
Currency and regional market nuances: Economic conditions vary significantly by region.
Gravy For The Brain embraces this variability by providing flexible guide ranges—not rigid price points.
The Gravy For The Brain Rate Guide is an essential tool for anyone navigating the non-union voiceover market worldwide. It brings transparency, encourages fair pricing, and supports professional negotiation—benefiting both talent and producers. Whether you’re an aspiring VO artist or a hiring manager, using this guide ensures value, clarity, and respect in every project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use the Gravy For The Brain guide over others?
It’s truly global, covers multiple regions and usage types, and includes union benchmarks. It’s also regularly updated with input from industry leaders.
Can I charge above or below the guide rates?
Absolutely! The guide is meant to inform, not dictate. Factors like your experience and project size are valid reasons to negotiate higher or lower rates.
Are the rates fixed?
No, they’re flexible and meant for guidance. The inclusion of union minimums like Equity or SAG-AFTRA is for context only; negotiation is expected.
Final Thoughts on Fair Voiceover Pricing
If you’re new to hiring voice talent, it’s understandable to feel uncertain about costs. But with tools like the GVAA Rate Guide and the Gravy Rate Guide, you can approach negotiations with confidence.
Fair voiceover pricing protects everyone involved:
Buyers get quality recordings at reasonable rates.
Voiceover artists are compensated fairly for their skill, time, and usage rights.
When in doubt, consult the GVAA Rate Guide and don’t hesitate to ask questions. A professional voiceover artist should always be willing to explain how rates are determined based on project type and usage.
Need guidance? If you’re not familiar with how genres, usage, or licensing work in voiceover, reach out. I’m always happy to walk through real-world scenarios and help ensure you’re making the best decision for your project.
Whether you’re exploring best practices for commercials, eLearning, or documentary narration, these blog posts show how the right voice can transform your content. If you’re ready to put these insights into action, contact me today and let’s bring your next project to life with professional English male voiceover services.
