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Voiceover Rate Guide - Canada

The following tables represent a guide to the voiceover rates typically charged by voice artists in Canada (displayed in $CAD). The guide has been compiled by Gravy For The Brain and a working group of top Canadian VO talent and agents, and where relevant refers to ACTRA union agreements. Note that most quotations are done through negotiation and you should not feel restricted by any upper or lower limits!

"How to Charge Clients" Webinar

ADR
Additional Chargeable Items
Animation
Audiobooks
Cinema
Corporate
Gaming
IVR
Internet
Radio
Television
Text To Speech / AI Voices
Voice of God / Live Announcer

ADR

ADR ADR

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

In Progress

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

In Progress

Typical Average

In Progress

Typical Upper

In Progress

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

We are currently investigating Canadian ADR rates

Notes

Additional Chargeable Items

Additional Chargeable Items Audio Editing

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$20

Typical Average

$30

Typical Upper

$50

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Per hour of work performed, average rate of 3x raw audio length.

Notes

N/A

Additional Chargeable Items Studio Charge

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$50

Typical Average

$100

Typical Upper

$150

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

N/A

Notes

Some voice artists charge their home recording studio out, dependent on the job and the client.

Prices are per hour.

Animation

Animation Major Character (over 20 lines)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

N/A

Typical Average

$500

Typical Upper

N/A

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

N/A

Notes

Per session (up to 4 hours).

Animation Minor Character (under 20 lines)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$250

Typical Average

$350

Typical Upper

£500

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

N/A

Notes

Per session (up to 4 hours).

Sometimes is priced episodically.

Audiobooks

Audiobooks Audiobooks

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$100 per finished hour

Typical Average

$250 per finished hour

Typical Upper

$400 per finished hour

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Usage included within the price.
Royalty share jobs pay a portion of book sales, but that often leads to little or no pay.

Notes

1. Per Finished Hour means per hour of playback of the edited recording

2. The PFH rate does not include a cost for you to edit the recordings

3. How long it takes you to complete one PFH depends on how well you perform as a voice artist - know your rates!

Cinema

Cinema Cinema

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

$500

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

N/A

Typical Average

N/A

Typical Upper

N/A

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

N/A

Notes

N/A

Corporate

Corporate Corporate/Explainer

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$250

Typical Average

$350

Typical Upper

$450

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Typically for one year for non-broadcast/paid internet ads.

Notes

Corporate E-Learning (per finished minute)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$15 pfm

Typical Average

$25 pfm

Typical Upper

$35 pfm

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

E-Learning does not typically pay usage/royalties, though this can be negotiated in some cases, especially where the end product is for retail.

Notes

The higher rate is for more technical and medical reads.

0-5 minutes: $350

6-15 minutes: $450

16-30 minutes: $550

31-45 minutes: $750

45-60 minutes: $1,000

Corporate E-Learning (per word)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$0.15 per word

Typical Average

$0.25 per word

Typical Upper

$0.35 per word

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

E-Learning does not typically pay usage/royalties, though this can be negotiated in some cases, especially where the end product is for retail.

Notes

Include a session fee (generally $150 - $250 per hour).

Gaming

Gaming Video Games/Gaming

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$250

Typical Average

$300

Typical Upper

$400

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

N/A

Notes

Price is per session - up to 4 hours.

Price is for wild-recording, not Motion Capture

IVR

IVR Per Finished Minute

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$15

Typical Average

$35

Typical Upper

$50

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

One year if possible, though buyouts are common in this sector.

Notes

Add 50% if client requires dial-in or use of proprietary software that may be time consuming.

Note that many VO's specify a minimum charge.

IVR Per Prompt

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$7.50

Typical Average

$10

Typical Upper

$15

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

N/A

Notes

It's also common to have IVR priced on a per prompt basis (minimum session applies).

Note that many VO's specify a minimum charge.

IVR Per Word

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$10

Typical Average

$20

Typical Upper

$30

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

One year if possible, though buyouts are common in this sector.

Notes

Add 50% if client requires dial-in or use of proprietary software that may be time consuming.

Note that many VO's charge a minimum fee.

Internet

Internet Paid usage (30 spot)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$500

Typical Average

$750

Typical Upper

$1,000

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Ideally per 13 week cycle. One year buy max at these rates.

Notes

1. Add 25% for 60 spots

2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower

3. Premium can be charged for major brands

Internet Promos

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

$400 - $500

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

N/A

Typical Average

N/A

Typical Upper

N/A

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Per session

Notes

Always try to negotiate a monthly retainer.

Internet Unpaid usage (30 spot)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$250

Typical Average

$350

Typical Upper

$500

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Ideally per 13 week cycle. One year buy max at these rates.

Notes

1. Add 25% for 60 spots

2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower

3. Premium can be charged for major brands

Radio

Radio Commercials - Internet Radio

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$200

Typical Average

$400

Typical Upper

$600

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Ideally per 13 week cycle.

Notes

Add 25% for 60s.

Radio Commercials - Major Market Local (up to 30)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$300

Typical Average

$400

Typical Upper

$750

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Ideally per 13 week cycle.

Notes

Add 25% for 60s.

Radio Commercials - National (up to 30)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$450

Typical Average

$750

Typical Upper

$1,000

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Ideally per 13 week cycle.

Notes

Add 25% for 60s.

Radio Commercials - Small Market Local (up to 30)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$150

Typical Average

$350

Typical Upper

$450

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Ideally per 13 week cycle.

Notes

Add 25% for 60s.

Radio Imaging & TV Affiliate - Large Market

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$150 per page

Typical Average

$250 per page

Typical Upper

$350 per page

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout.

Notes

1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly

2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible

Radio Imaging & TV Affiliate - Medium Market

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$100 per page

Typical Average

$150 per page

Typical Upper

$200 per page

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout

Notes

1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly

2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible

Radio Imaging & TV Affiliate - National Radio Network

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$200 per page

Typical Average

$300 per page

Typical Upper

$400 per page

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout

Notes

National Radio Network or Streaming

1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly

2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible

Radio Imaging & TV Affiliate - Small Market

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$50 per page

Typical Average

$75 per page

Typical Upper

$125 per page

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Generally 1 year, sometimes buyout.

Notes

1. Per page price can be reduced for retainer clients who prepay for a set number of pages monthly

2. Monthly retainers should be negotiated if possible

3. $200 minimum

Television

Television Commercials - Exclusivity in Large Sector

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

$25,000

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

N/A

Typical Average

N/A

Typical Upper

N/A

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Per year

Notes

1. This includes soft drinks, cellular service providers, healthcare etc.

2. Add 25% for 60 spots

3. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower

Television Commercials - Exclusivity in Small Sector

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

$5,000

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

N/A

Typical Average

N/A

Typical Upper

N/A

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Per year

Notes

1. This includes local service providers, uncommon products etc.

2. Add 25% for 60 spots

3. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower

Television Commercials - Major Market Local (up to 30)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$300

Typical Average

$500

Typical Upper

$750

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates.

Notes

1. Add 25% for 60 spots

2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower.

Television Commercials - National (up to 30)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$600

Typical Average

$750

Typical Upper

$1,000

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates.

Notes

1. Add 25% for 60 spots

2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower.

Television Commercials - Regional (up to 30)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$300

Typical Average

$500

Typical Upper

$750

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates.

Notes

1. Add 25% for 60 spots

2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower.

Television Commercials - Small Market Local (up to 30)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

$250

Typical Average

$400

Typical Upper

$500

Usage Fee/Usage Buyout Structure

Ideally per 13 week cycle. Regional and National spots in particular should hold to cycle rates.

Notes

1. Add 25% for 60 spots

2. Reduce by 50% for short tags. Tag rates in volume can be lower.

Text To Speech / AI Voices

Text To Speech / AI Voices Company TTS / AI Voice (Voice Used)

Actra Agreed Minimum Rates*

N/A

Typical Current Actual Market Rates** (see note below about what typical means & the variables involved)

Typical Lower

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Voiceover Rate Guide - Canada