Answer: Commission Fee on Upwork

Hello there,

I’m glad you reached out with this question. Upwork’s fee structure can at first, seem a little complex, but I’ll do my best to clarify it for you.

For Freelancers

Upwork uses a sliding scale to calculate commissions. Your fee will vary depending on your ongoing relationship with each client.

• For the first $500 you earn from a client, Upwork takes a 20% commission.
• For total billings with the same client that range from $500.01 to $10,000, the fee is 10%.
• For lifetime billings with the same client that exceed $10,000, the fee reduces further to 5%.

How to Calculate Final Take-home Pay

As a quick example, if you charge $100 for a job from a new client:

• The first $100 is subject to a 20% fee so you would take home $80.
• Once your earnings with this client exceed $500, the fee drops to 10%. So if you charge $100 for another job, you will receive $90.
• Once your earnings with this client go beyond $10000, you will pay only a 5% commission, so you would receive $95 for a $100 job.

Remember

Please note that it’s crucial to factor Upwork’s commission into your pricing structure, to ensure that you take home a fair wage for your work. Also, remember that this is a lifetime billing per client so it encourages a long-term relationship with a client.

I hope this helps you understand the commission structure at Upwork!

Best Regards,