Quick answer
- Non-broadcast narration: about $350-$450 for 1-2 minutes, $450-$550 for 3-5 and $600-$700 for 5-10 minutes.1
- eLearning: roughly $15-$55 per finished minute, or $0.10-$0.35 a word.34
- Commercials: a 30-second commercial ranges from $250 to $3,500 depending on usage.3 Canada: one Canadian service starts at $299 CAD for up to 300 words (about 2 minutes) and $499 for commercial use.7
Voiceover rates by type of work
| Work | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Non-broadcast narration, 1-2 min | $350-$4501 |
| Non-broadcast narration, 3-5 / 5-10 / 10-15 min | $450-$550 / $600-$700 / $700-$8001 |
| Short scripts (0-2 finished minutes, under 400 words) | $100-$5005 |
| Basic narration, up to 2 finished minutes | From $3508 |
| eLearning | $15-$55 per finished minute, or $0.10-$0.35 a word34 |
| 30-second commercial | $250-$3,500 depending on usage3 |
| Typical range overall | $80-$600 for many projects2 |
Notice how narration gets cheaper per minute as it gets longer - most of the effort in a short script is setup, the first takes and editing, not the minutes themselves.
How much to charge for a 30-second voiceover
It depends almost entirely on usage. A 30-second script for an internal video or a website is non-broadcast work, usually priced around the short-script range of $100-$500.5 The same 30 seconds as a commercial runs $250-$3,500 depending on where it airs and for how long.3 Ask where the spot will run (web, social ads, radio, TV), in which markets, and for how long before you quote.
Per word, per finished minute or per hour
- Per word suits scripts you can count in advance - $0.10-$0.35 a word for eLearning.3 One voice actor's guide suggests starting around $75-$100 per 100 words for short scripts, then $0.12-$0.16 a word after the first 300.6
- Per finished minute suits long-form narration: $15-$55 per finished minute for eLearning.4
- Per hour is less common, but beginners might charge $50-$100 an hour while very experienced talent charges $500+.10
Many voice actors work from the Global Voice Acting Academy (GVAA) rate guide - the eLearning per-minute and per-word ranges above are GVAA's - and it's worth reading in full.4
Session fees, minimums and pickups
Set a minimum fee so tiny scripts are still worth your setup time. Some studios use a session fee plus a word rate - one Canadian service charges a $397 session fee plus $19 per 25 words.9 Decide how many revision rounds are included, and charge for pickups caused by script changes (as opposed to fixing your own mistakes, which should be free).
Union and non-union work
Union voiceover work follows union scales - SAG-AFTRA in the US and ACTRA in Canada - which set minimum fees and usage payments. Most independent and online work is non-union and negotiated directly, which is where rate guides and your own minimums matter most.
Voiceover rates in Canada
- Short scripts: one Canadian service records up to 300 words (about 2 minutes) from $299 CAD.7
- Commercials: the same service starts commercial work - non-broadcast, local or national - at $499.7
- Session pricing: another lists a $397 session fee plus $19 per 25 words.9
Canadian voice actors often work for US clients - agree on the currency up front. Quote in CAD before tax and register for GST/HST once your taxable revenue passes $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters. For services, the rate you charge generally depends on where your client is located, and work for clients outside Canada is often zero-rated - check CRA's rules for your situation.
Common questions
How much should I charge for voiceover work?
Non-broadcast narration runs about $350-$450 for 1-2 minutes, eLearning about $15-$55 per finished minute or $0.10-$0.35 a word, and commercials depend on usage.
How much should I charge for a 30-second voiceover?
For non-broadcast use, around $100-$500; as a commercial, $250-$3,500 depending on where and how long it airs.
What are voiceover rates per word?
About $0.10-$0.35 a word for eLearning, with a minimum fee for short scripts.
What are voiceover rates per hour?
Hourly billing is less common, but beginners might charge $50-$100 an hour and very experienced talent $500+.
How much do voice actors charge in Canada?
One Canadian service starts at $299 CAD for up to 300 words and $499 for commercial use; another charges a $397 session fee plus $19 per 25 words.
Let clients book set-price reads and quote the big jobs
On 1MinuteBooking, clients book online commercials, explainers, eLearning or IVR reads at your rates, add rush or revisions, and audiobooks or broadcast work come in as quote requests. Free plan, no time limit.
See the voiceover booking pageSources
- Voice Crafters, Voice Over Rates 2026: Industry Standard Pricing Guide
- Voice Jungle, How Much Does a Voiceover Cost?
- Real VO Talent, Voiceover Rates 2026: Rate Guide Data for Buyers
- VO Trainer, How Much Do Voice Actors Make? Income Guide for 2026 (citing GVAA ranges)
- Backstage, What to Charge as a Voiceover Artist
- Avo's Journey, Voice Over Rate Guide 2026: What to Charge + Calculator
- Voice it (Canada), Affordable Canadian Voiceover Rates | Voice it (one service's published rates)
- Voice Acting 101, Voice-Over Rates
- Amazing Voice (Canada), Our Pricing | Amazing Voice Professional Voice Overs (CA) (one service's published rates)
- Twine, Understanding Voiceover Artist Rates
Prices are what these sources published as of September-October 2026. Rates vary by city, season and the job itself - use them as a starting point, not a rule.