Ask John: Is Anime Voice Acting a Good Job?

Question:
I have seen many anime fans claim they want to become a voice actor/actress in the future. But I believe the job does not pay much, the anime idustry is shaky, and the job is not as great as it appears. What do you think?

Answer:
Even during the height of success for the American anime industry, earning a consistent living wage from voice acting for anime dubs alone was difficult. Since voice acting is a legitimate form of acting, the pay rate for voice acting is good, although pay rates vary depending on one’s affiliation with an actors union. However, a good pay rate is of little consolation to a voice actor that only gets a few hours of work every week. Because voice acting may offer only a few hours of work at a time, it’s not uncommon for voice actors to hold multiple jobs, or seek acting jobs outside of the anime field in order to secure consistent, sustained employment.

American anime voice actors are typically actors that enjoy acting and want a career in acting and performing. I’m not a voice actor, so my perspective may be skewed, but I think that’s a proper attitude. I suspect that the people best suited to succeed at a career in voice acting are those who do it not for fame or because it looks fun, but because they have an intense desire to act. I don’t want to discourage young people with aspirations. Voice acting, like many types of acting jobs, is basically a freelance career. So being a professional voice actor requires both the talent and ability to perform the job, and the determination to make acting a career. I can’t say that voice acting is either a good or bad career, or an advisable or inadvisable career path. I can only suggest that it’s a career best suited to people with a passion for acting; people who are driven to become professional actors regardless of obstacles or setbacks. Voice acting is probably not an ideal job for people seeking career stability and steady pay. But for some people, a fulfilling and enjoyable career is more important than unsatisfying but consistent work.