Understanding Payment on Upwork

1. Job-Based Payments

Freelancers can earn different amounts on Upwork depending on the job. Each job posting on Upwork includes a budget set by the client. You, as the freelancer, should assess these budgets and apply for jobs that meet your desired earnings. You can also offer your bid for a job which should represent what you feel your work is worth.

2. Hourly Payments

For hourly jobs, freelancers set an hourly rate. It is crucial that this rate accurately reflects your skill level, industry standards, and the complexity of the job.

Hour Protection

With hourly contracts, you’re protected by Upwork’s ‘Hourly Protection’. This means if you log your hours with the Upwork Desktop App and meet the Hourly Protection criteria, you’re guaranteed payment for your work.

3. Service Fee

Upwork charges a service fee on your earnings. This is tiered and ranges from 5% to 20% of your earnings depending on your lifetime billings with a particular client.

• 20% for the first $500 billed with the client
• 10% for lifetime billings with the client between $500.01 and $10,000
• 5% for lifetime billings with the client that exceed $10,000

In conclusion, Upwork earnings vary greatly depending on the budget for each job, your skill set, and the client’s willingness to pay for quality work. It’s important to understand that the platform’s service fees will deduct a specific percentage from your earnings.