Voice Actor Salary in 2026
Voice actors provide vocal performances for animation, video games, commercials, audiobooks, and other media. They bring characters to life and deliver compelling narrations.
Median Salary
$52,000
$4,333/mo
Entry Level
$24,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$84,000
experienced
Job Growth
+8%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Actors (SOC 27-2011, the closest published occupation to Voice Actor) at a national median of $29.05 per hour (BLS publishes this occupation as hourly only), with 55,000 people employed nationwide. Salario's $52,000 median above is a title-level estimate and is not rescaled to this broader occupation. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Voice Actor Overview
Voice actors provide vocal performances for animation, video games, commercials, audiobooks, and other media. They bring characters to life and deliver compelling narrations.
Education
No Formal Requirement
Experience
1-3 years
Industry
Creative
Total Jobs (US)
30K
5-Year Growth
+14%
Category
Creative
Hourly Rate
$25.00/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,333
Voice Actor Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Voice Actor salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Voice Actor Salary
$64,000
$5,333/month · $2,462/biweekly · $30.77/hr
Voice Actor Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Voice Actor field.
Entry-level Voice Actors earn around $24,000, while the top 10% earn $109,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Voice Actors
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $61,000 | +$9,000 |
| New York | $60,000 | +$8,000 |
| Illinois | $54,000 | +$2,000 |
| Texas | $51,000 | $-1,000 |
| Georgia | $50,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Voice Actors
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $61,000 | +$9,000 |
| Los Angeles | $58,000 | +$6,000 |
| Chicago | $55,000 | +$3,000 |
| Dallas | $52,000 | $0 |
| Atlanta | $51,000 | $-1,000 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Voice Actor Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Voice Actor.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Voice Actor Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Voice Actor from entry level to expert.
$24,000
0-2 years
$54,000
3-7 years
$84,000
8-14 years
$134,000
15+ years
Related Creative Jobs
Voice Actor Salary FAQ
How much does a Voice Actor make in 2026?
Salario's modeled median salary for a Voice Actor in the United States is $52,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $24,000, while senior professionals earn up to $84,000. Top earners in the field can make $134,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Voice Actor?
A Voice Actor typically requires a No Formal Requirement with 1-3 years of experience. Key skills include Voice Acting, Character Voices, Audio Recording. Relevant certifications such as SAG-AFTRA Membership can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Voice Actors?
The job market for Voice Actors is projected to grow by 8% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 30K Voice Actor positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 14%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Voice Actors the most?
The highest-paying states for Voice Actors include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $61,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Voice Actor salary?
To increase your Voice Actor salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Voice Acting and Character Voices. Pursue certifications such as SAG-AFTRA Membership. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 1-3 years of experience, you can progress from $24,000 to $84,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Voice Actor Salary
How we calculate Voice Actor salary data: Voice Actor has no defensible BLS occupation crosswalk, so the national median, tiers, state and city figures on this page are Salario estimates built from public wage references and job-posting data, not BLS survey values.
- National median salary: $52,000, Salario estimate (not a BLS value).
- Entry-level ($24,000) and senior-level ($84,000) are Salario tiers; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +8% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 30K total positions nationwide (Salario estimate).
- 5-year salary growth: 14% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Creative sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: No Formal Requirement, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $52,000; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Voice Actor compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Voice Actor job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Creative
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Voice Actor salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Voice Acting, Character Voices, Audio Recording), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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