Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
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Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How to Use Per-Finished-Hour Pricing as a Voice Over Artist
Per-finished-hour (PFH) is the standard pricing model for eLearning and audiobook narration. Rates range from $150–$1,000 PFH depending on content type, complexity, and client market.
Floor
$150
per hour
Typical
$400
per hour
Premium
$1,000
per hour
Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
Was this helpful?
Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
What changes the price
- Total finished hours of audio
- Content type (eLearning, audiobook, documentary, explainer)
- Technical complexity of the content
- Inclusion of audio editing and mastering
- Turnaround deadline
- Number of revision/retake passes included
- File format and delivery spec requirements
- Whether the client provides a clean, finalised script
Real quote breakdowns
Corporate eLearning Module (1 FH)
A company needs one finished hour of eLearning narration for a general HR compliance module.
Breakdown
1 finished hour at $350/FH, home studio recording, edited and noise-reduced WAV, MP3 delivery, one retake pass.
Audiobook (10 FH)
An independent author needs 10 finished hours of audiobook narration with ACX-compliant delivery.
Breakdown
10 finished hours at $280/FH, ACX mastering, quality control proofread, WAV and MP3 files, chapter file labelling.
Technical Training Course (6 FH)
A technology company needs 6 finished hours of narration for a certification training course with complex IT terminology.
Breakdown
6 finished hours at $850/FH (technical premium), pronunciation guide review, studio-quality edited files, SCORM-compliant audio markers, and two retake rounds.
Frequently asked questions
How do I estimate total finished hours before recording?
Count the script's total word count and divide by 9,500 (words per finished hour at a moderate pace). For a 57,000-word script, expect approximately 6 finished hours. Always quote a range — actual pace varies by 10–15%.
What is typically included in a PFH rate?
A PFH rate should specify: recording, editing (removing mouth noise, false starts), mastering to spec, and a defined number of retake passes. Anything beyond the defined scope is billed separately.
Should I charge extra for audio editing in my PFH rate?
You have two options: include editing in a higher PFH rate, or charge a lower recording-only rate with a separate editing fee. Be explicit about what is included. Clients comparing rates need to compare equivalent services.
How do I handle a long-form project that takes longer than estimated?
If the script was finalised before quoting, your PFH rate covers the variance. If the client significantly expands the script after quoting, issue a change order for additional finished hours at the agreed PFH rate.