Audiobook Narrators Seek Fairer Pay in Evolving Industry

Intermediate | August 4, 2025

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The Challenge of Current Payment Models

Understanding “Per Finished Hour” and Audiobook Narrator Pay

Audiobook narrators are speaking out, demanding better pay and fairer compensation in their rapidly changing industry. A primary concern for these voice artists is the common “per finished hour” (PFH) payment structure. Under this model, narrators receive a flat rate for each hour of final audio, regardless of the extensive work required to produce it. This work includes many hours of recording, editing, and mastering. While PFH rates vary widely, from \$50 for beginners to over \$600 for seasoned veterans, many narrators argue that these rates do not adequately cover the significant time and effort. New narrators, for instance, often spend five to seven hours creating just one finished hour of audio. This makes audiobook narrator pay a critical point of debate in the industry.

The Problem with Royalty Shares

Another major point of contention involves royalty or profit-sharing agreements, especially those with platforms like Audible/ACX. Narrators often discover that actual royalty payments do not match promised numbers. Audible’s “net sales” calculations can also drastically reduce what both authors and narrators ultimately receive. Many narrators who choose royalty share agreements report earning “next to nothing” on numerous projects. They view this system as a gamble where they bear all the risk for the publisher, especially since they have no control over the book’s marketing or sales. Narrators question why they should forgo a guaranteed flat fee for uncertain future income.

Advocating for Change

Industry Leaders Take Action

Prominent figures in the industry are actively addressing these issues. Julia Whelan, a highly successful narrator with more than 600 audiobooks, highlights the problem. She notes that despite a book’s popularity, narrators often do not receive royalties, meaning a high volume of work is essential to make a comfortable living. To tackle this, Whelan launched Audiobrary, her own publishing company, which aims to share profits with authors and royalties with narrators. This initiative seeks to create a more equitable system for creators.

Union Efforts and Ongoing Concerns

SAG-AFTRA, the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, has more than 90 agreements with audiobook publishers. These agreements set minimum rates, ranging from \$200 to \$275 PFH, and include health and retirement benefits for union members. However, broader concerns about compensation models and transparency in royalty payments persist for many in the audiobook narration community. Recently, individual narrators have also faced issues concerning equitable pay, with one male narrator reportedly refusing to pay a female narrator the same rate despite the author’s specific request. This ongoing struggle for fair compensation reflects a wider movement toward better working conditions across creative industries.

Vocabulary

compensation (noun): Something, typically money, awarded to someone in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury.
- Example: “The employees demanded fair compensation for their overtime work.”
prevalent (adjective): Widespread in a particular area or at a particular time.
- Example: “Smartphone use is increasingly prevalent among teenagers.”
novices (noun): People new to and inexperienced in a job or situation.
- Example: “The training program helps novices learn essential skills.”
veterans (noun): People who have a long experience in a particular field.
- Example: “The company relies on its veterans for their deep industry knowledge.”
contention (noun): Heated disagreement; a point made in an argument.
- Example: “The main point of contention was the budget allocation.”
forgo (verb): To do without (something desirable).
- Example: “She decided to forgo dessert to save money.”
prolific (adjective): Producing many works.
- Example: “He is a prolific writer, publishing a new novel every year.”
equitable (adjective): Fair and impartial.
- Example: “They sought an equitable solution that benefited everyone.”
transparency (noun): The condition of being transparent; clarity.
- Example: “The company aims for full transparency in its financial reporting.”
discrepancy (noun): A lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.
- Example: “Police found a discrepancy in the witness’s statement.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What are the two main payment models for audiobook narrators mentioned in the article? How do they work?
Why do many narrators feel that the “per finished hour” (PFH) model does not adequately compensate them?
What specific problems do narrators face with royalty or profit-sharing agreements?
How is Julia Whelan trying to improve conditions for narrators and authors?
What role does SAG-AFTRA play in the audiobook narration industry, and what benefits do their contracts offer?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

If you were an audiobook narrator, which payment model would you prefer and why?
Do you think companies should share more profit with the people who create the content? Why or why not?
What are some other creative industries where fair compensation might be an issue?
How important is it for workers to join unions like SAG-AFTRA?
What steps can consumers take to support fair pay for artists and creators in the digital age?

Related Idiom

Carry the risk

Meaning: To be responsible for the potential negative consequences or financial losses of an action or venture.
Example: “In the new business deal, the small startup had to carry the risk for all initial investments.”

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This article was inspired by: AP News, August 1, 2025