Who are the highest-paid voice actors of all time?

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are the voice actors and co-creators of South Park. After signing a $1.5 billion streaming deal with Paramount to air South Park, Matt and Trey now have a net worth of $1.2 billion, making them the highest-paid voice actors of all time.

Known for voicing multiple characters in Family Guy, American Dad!, and The Cleveland Show, the Seth MacFarlane net worth is estimated at $300 million. In addition to voice acting, he’s also a renowned writer, producer, and actor, making him one of the actors with highest net worth. 

Best known as the voice of Homer Simpson, Dan Castellaneta earns an estimated $400,000 per episode of The Simpsons. His long-running role makes him one of the famous voice actors with a net worth of about $85 million. 

Best known for voicing multiple characters on The Simpsons, including Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner, and Smithers, Harry Shearer is a powerhouse in the industry with a net worth estimated at $85 million.

The Mike Judge net worth is about $80 million, due to his work as the creator and voice actor of Beavis and Butt-Head and King of the Hill. His ability to balance satire with enduring characters has made him a legend in the voice acting industry.

Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, earned around $400,000 per episode. Her work has contributed to making the Simpsons voice actors some of the best-paid in history, and the Nancy Cartwright net worth is estimated at around $60 million. 

Although Hamill is widely recognized as Luke Skywalker, the Mark Hamill net worth of around $20 million is also from his legendary work as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series. His transition into voice acting has made him one of the famous voice actors in Hollywood.

Best known as the voice of SpongeBob, the Tom Kenny net worth sits at about $16 million. His distinctive voice and long-running career in animation make him one of the most recognizable voice actors in the field.

As one of the most versatile performers in voice over, the Tara Strong net worth is estimated at $12 million. She’s voiced beloved characters like Timmy Turner (The Fairly OddParents), Bubbles (Powerpuff Girls), and Twilight Sparkle (My Little Pony).

With a net worth of over $10 million, Frank Welker is one of the most prolific and respected names in voice acting. His career spans over 50 years, voicing iconic characters like Fred Jones in Scooby-Doo and Megatron in Transformers.

So, how much do voice actors make on average? The answer depends heavily on experience, location, and industry.

Union rates: SAG-AFTRA sets baseline rates for TV and radio spots that range from $250 to $500 per session.

Animated series: Top-tier performers like the Simpsons voice actors earn up to $400,000 per episode.

Video games: Voice actors can make $800–1,000 per recording session, though blockbuster titles sometimes pay bonuses.

For most professionals, the average voice actor salary hovers around $35,000–$90,000 annually, but only the top tier breaks into the million-dollar range. The richest voice actors are the ones who work on video games, animated films, or long-running TV shows, like anime. But how much do voice actors get paid for anime?

Anime has a passionate fan base, but how much do anime voice actors make?

Anime voice actors earn about $100 an hour, thanks to a modified dubbing agreement initiated by SAG-AFTRA. The voice over rates per episode often depend on the market and project type. Some of the highest-paid Japanese anime voice actors, like Masako Nozawa and Ryo Horikawa have a net worth of almost $20 million.

The Simpsons voice actors are often cited as examples of how lucrative voice acting can be. Stars like Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Julie Kavner (Marge), and Nancy Cartwright (Bart) have been with the show since 1989. Their salaries, once just a few thousand dollars per episode, grew to $400,000 per episode by 2010.

This demonstrates how longevity and popularity can elevate a voice actor salary into the millions over the course of a few years. So if you’re starting out in voice over, here’s what you can learn from the Simpsons voice actors on how to make a career in voice over:

Longevity matters: Sticking with projects long-term can multiply your earnings far beyond quick, one-off gigs.

Character diversity pays off: Many Simpsons actors voice multiple characters, making themselves indispensable to the show.

Negotiate smartly: The cast banded together to secure better contracts, proving that understanding your worth (and negotiating it) is vital.

Consistency builds reputation: Reliability and delivering top-quality work over decades build trust with producers and audiences.

Leverage iconic roles: Once you land a signature role, it can open doors to convention appearances, merchandise deals, and cross-industry opportunities.

So, invest in your craft, stay consistent, and build strong relationships. Success in voice acting may not happen overnight, but with persistence, the right opportunities can grow into a successful voice acting career. 

Voice acting is a craft filled with passion, creativity, and artistry. The highest-paid voice actors, like Trey Parker, Seth MacFarlane, and the Simpsons voice actors, have made millions. That said, perseverance and versatile voice over skills can lead to long-lasting success. Whether you’re inspired by the famous voice actors on this list or simply curious about how much do voice actors make, one thing is clear: with the right role, at the right time, you can transform your voice into a successful career!