How to Make Money on Upwork 2025
Upwork is a marketplace for freelancers in various fields, such as writing, graphic design, and web development. The platform helps professionals find projects, connect with clients, and earn money.
If you’re a new freelancer in the world of remote work or just starting a side hustle online with some expertise in a particular field, this platform could be a goldmine for you. However, keep in mind that the site is filled with freelancers willing to work for lower rates, which might impact your ability to earn the income you desire.
Overall, Upwork makes it easier to find jobs and increase your earnings, but carefully consider the types of jobs you apply for.
How to Make Money on Upwork
1. Create a strong profile
Your profile serves the same purpose as a traditional resume for potential employers. Without it, landing a job is nearly impossible.
Fill out details about the type of work you want to do, the specific fields you excel in, and your level of expertise. This acts as a self-assessment, so be honest. If you apply for or accept jobs beyond your capabilities, your account may be suspended or even closed.
Next, upload a clear profile picture and provide a detailed description of your background. You can include links to a portfolio or specific work samples displayed on another platform.
Additionally, fill in details about your education, the number of hours you can work per week, your location, and your preferred rate. If you’re unsure about pricing, check the rates of other freelancers on Upwork with similar experience or services.
Upwork typically approves profiles within 24 hours, provided the information is accurate and verifiable. Once approved, you can start working.
2. Choose a membership plan
Upwork offers two membership plans for freelancers: Basic and Plus.
Basic Membership
This plan is free, but you must pay to connect with potential clients. Freelancers on the basic plan receive 10 free “Connects” each month. Upwork’s internal tokens are used to submit proposals to clients.
Additional Connects can be purchased, and Upwork occasionally offers free Connects during promotions. A limited number of unused Connects can roll over to the next month but expire if not used within one year.
If a client reaches out to you first, you don’t need to use any Connects. The stronger your profile, the more likely you are to receive job invitations from potential clients. Showcasing your best work or highlighting relevant experience can help you stand out. If you’re new to the field, volunteer experience can also be valuable.
The basic plan also includes payment protection for both hourly and fixed-price contracts.
Plus Membership
The Plus plan costs $14.99 per month and includes everything in the basic plan, plus:
- 80 connects per month
- Access to competitor bid prices
- The option to keep your earnings private
- A customizable profile URL
- Your profile will never be hidden due to inactivity.
This membership offers greater flexibility and visibility, making it ideal for serious freelancers looking to increase their chances of securing projects.
3. Connect with employers
Leverage your connections to submit job proposals within your wheelhouse. Proposals should include a cover letter, the required fees, and responses to any questions the client has included in their job post. You may also send examples of previous work that you believe are relevant.
Before applying for a job, research the potential employer’s reputation. Platforms like the Better Business Bureau, Glassdoor, and Google searches for employer-related news and information are good starting points.
Just like Uber or Lyft, both parties rate each other upon contract completion. Employers are rated on a five-star scale, and their ratings appear on their profiles. These ratings contribute to your success score, a percentage displayed on your profile that reflects the number of completed jobs that satisfied clients.
Related: What Do You Need to Start Making Money Online.
4. Set your price and start working
Upwork takes a portion of your earnings. The fee structure operates on a sliding scale based on the total amount paid by a client over time. The more you work with a client, the lower the fee. Upwork charges the following:
- 20% fee on transactions below $500
- 10% fee on transactions between $500.01 and $10,000
- 5% fee on transactions exceeding $10,000.01
You can receive payments through two methods: hourly rate or fixed price. Upwork’s fees apply to both.
Your hourly rate on Upwork is the rate before service fees are deducted. For example, if you set your rate at $20 per hour, you will earn $16 per hour after the 20% fee. Once you have billed $500 with a client, the fee decreases to 10%, allowing you to earn $18 per hour.
For fixed-price jobs, the same principle applies. If you charge $400 for a project, you will receive $320 after the 20% deduction. Once you have billed $500 with a client, the fee drops to 10%.
Hourly Projects
All hourly projects are tracked through your Work Diary, integrated into Upwork’s desktop app. When enabled, the app maintains a detailed record of your progress. It tracks time in 10-minute billing cycles, recording keystrokes, scrolling, and clicks. It also takes periodic screenshots.
You can start and stop the work diary at any time and manually log work instead. However, using the tool qualifies you for Upwork’s “Hourly Protection” service, which ensures you get paid for the work you can prove you have completed even if the client disputes the payment.
Fixed-Price Projects
Payment for fixed-price projects is more straightforward. The client must fund an agreed-upon amount when initiating the contract. The employer must also set milestones, which are progress checkpoints and deliverables along the way.
You receive partial or full payments from the deposit when you reach these milestones. The remaining balance is paid once the entire project is completed.
5. Get paid
Freelancers on Upwork can receive guaranteed payments via PayPal, direct deposit, or wire transfer.
All hourly projects are billed weekly. You will be paid 10 days after the billing period ends, once you and the client have reviewed the work. If a project is canceled before completion, Hourly Protection and milestone payments can help secure your earnings. If you believe you were not compensated fairly, Upwork offers a dispute process to resolve payment issues.
For fixed-price projects, payments are released when you reach the agreed-upon milestones. If a client fails to pay for a completed milestone or refuses to compensate you for what you believe is finished work, you have the option to start a dispute.
Conclusion:
We have provided you with essential information to help you start selling your services and earning on Upwork.
Of course, this is just the beginning. We always recommend thoroughly researching any platform or industry before getting started. Gather as much information as possible and continuously work on improving your skills.
Master your craft, maintain professionalism with clients, and best of luck!
