Understanding Audiobook PFH Rates

PFH Meaning in Audiobook Production

When it comes to creating audiobooks, one of the most important things to understand is what does PFH stand for. PFH, or per-finished-hour rate, has become the industry standard for narration, so learning about PFH’s meaning and how PFH audiobook rates are calculated is essential for authors when preparing their audiobook production budget. If you’re an author in the process of auditioning narrators or even thinking about audiobook production, find everything you need to know about audiobook narration and PFH rates below.

   

The Basics: What Does PFH Stand For?

PFH stands for “per finished hour,” which is the primary way that narrator and voiceover actors get paid in the audiobook industry. Different from per-hour rates, audiobook PFH rates are based on the final length of the finished recording, regardless of the time it took to produce. One “finished hour” is a polished and edited 60 minutes of audio, which can take six or more hours of work, including correcting mistakes and editing for a quality finished product. Taking that into account, a 10-hour audiobook could take upwards of 60 hours of actual work to complete. PFH audiobook rates can vary based on a narrator’s experience level, reputation, the complexity of the project, and other factors.

   

How Are Audiobook PFH Rates Calculated?

As an author, you’re going to need to figure out how much to pay your narrator, and that comes down to understanding how audiobook PFH rates are calculated. Audiobook PFH rates are based on your estimated audiobook length (in hours), so the first thing you’ll need to know is the total word count of your manuscript, excluding anything that doesn’t need to be recorded, such as the table of contents, the glossary, and other similar sections of your book. Take that word count and divide it by 9,300, which is the number of words per hour that the average narrator recites. This will give you your estimated audiobook length in hours.

Word Count / 9300 = Estimated Audiobook Length (in hours)

To estimate your audiobook narration cost, take your estimated audiobook length in hours and multiply it by your narrator’s proposed PFH rate. This will give you an estimated total cost to produce your audiobook.

Estimated Audiobook Length (in hours) x The Narrator's PFH Rate = Estimated Total Cost to Produce your Audiobook

   

What Are Fair Audiobook Narration Rates?

Now that you know how much your audiobook production is going to cost, how do you know if you’re getting a good deal? What is considered a fair audiobook PFH rate? When thinking about audiobook narration rates, keep in mind that each finished hour of your audiobook can take at minimum six hours to create, so a PFH rate of $100 would equate to $16.67 per hour. Considering everything that it takes to create professional, retail-ready audio files, think about what you are willing to pay. Remember that audiobooks are an extension of your author brand, which you want to enhance with high-quality narration.

   

What’s Included With a Professional Narrator’s PFH Rate

• Time spent meticulously researching and reading through your transcript before recording
• Recording and editing equipment (sound booth, microphone, headphones, audio interface, laptop, hard drive/cloud storage, digital audio workstation, etc.)
• Studio fees if applicable 
• Time spent recording
• Pickups and revisions
• Editing, proofing, and mastering the final audio files
• Uploading the final retail-ready files

Taking all of this into consideration, the final factor impacting audiobook PFH rates is a narrator’s experience level. In general, PFH audiobook rates can range from $100 to $1,000. Because it will take longer for novice narrators to record one finished hour, and because they have less of an established reputation, they typically earn lower PFH rates than more experienced voiceover artists. A good general rule of thumb is:

• Beginner narrators: $100 PFH
• Experienced narrators: $200 PFH
• Expert narrators: $300-$1000+ PFH

Be aware that with a PFH rate of $100 or less, you will likely attract narrators who are just starting out or who may not have the level of equipment you require. The more you are willing to pay, the better your audio quality and narration will be. 

   

No matter what PFH rate you settle on, audiobook narration is a key aspect of audiobook production. A great narrator can make your manuscript soar, so think of your narrator as your partner in growing your author brand and boosting your audiobook sales. At Author’s Republic, we've created a roster of professional audiobook narrators so you don't have to sift through thousands of mediocre options to find the perfect voice for your project. 

   

Hire a professional narrator today with the Author's Republic Studio!