Understanding How the Upwork Hourly Rate Works

Welcome to the Upwork community! I’m delighted to assist you in understanding how the hourly rate system operates on Upwork.

What is an Hourly Contract?

On Upwork, there are two types of contracts: fixed-price and hourly. An hourly contract indicates that you are paid by the hour for the time you spend working on a project. You come to an agreement with your client on your hourly rate before starting work. Your workweek runs from midnight UTC on Monday to midnight UTC on the following Monday.

How to Track Time?

The Upwork Desktop App is used to track hours worked. The application takes screenshots at random moments (approximately six times per hour), logs the time, and automatically uploads it to the Work Diary. This means that both you and your client can review the work process.

Billing Process

Every Monday, the previous week’s hours are billed to the client. They then have five days—or until the following Friday—to review the hours. The payment is processed on the following Wednesday, following a security period.
To ensure you qualify for Upwork Hourly Protection, you should meet certain criteria such as having an hourly contract, using the Upwork Desktop App, and classifying your work correctly in the work diary.

The Payment Schedule

• Monday: The previous week’s hours are invoiced.
• Friday: Review period for the client to dispute any hours ends.
• Wednesday: Hourly payments become available on your account, assuming no disputes.

I hope this helps! I am here for further explanation if needed. Remember, work efficiently and make sure to use the Upwork Desktop App to ensure your hours are logged appropriately. Happy freelancing!