Upwork fees: what you actually take home
The service fee now varies from contract to contract, Connects cost money, and getting paid can cost a little more. A plain guide to what comes out of each dollar.
When you quote a price on Upwork, you do not keep all of it. Knowing what comes out, and when, helps you set a rate that leaves you the income you actually want.
1. The Freelancer Service Fee
Upwork no longer charges every freelancer the same flat percentage. According to its help article on the Freelancer Service Fee, the fee ranges from 0% to 15% and depends on things like the type of contract and supply and demand in the marketplace.
- You see it before you commit. The fee is shown when you submit a proposal or receive an offer.
- It is locked in. Once the proposal, offer or contract is sent, that contract's rate does not change, though your next contract may have a different one.
- Clients you bring yourself cost less. Direct Contracts with clients you invite to Upwork carry a reduced fee.
Older videos and guides often quote a flat 10% or a sliding 20/10/5% scale. Those describe earlier rules.
2. Connects
Sending a proposal costs Connects. At the time of writing, Upwork sells them at $0.15 each (in packs of at least 10), and the free Basic plan includes 10 a month. A job's Connects cost is shown before you apply, so check it against how likely you are to win. See spending Connects wisely.
3. Getting paid
Withdrawing your earnings can carry a fee depending on the method and your country, and currency conversion may cost a little more. Check the withdrawal options in your settings: some are free, others are not, and the difference adds up over a year.
A worked example
Say you win a $1,000 fixed-price job and the contract shows a 10% fee. You receive $900, less any withdrawal cost, and you spent some Connects to win it (and on the proposals that did not win). Your real hourly rate is that take-home divided by all the hours: the work, the calls and the time spent writing proposals.
Price with the fee in mind
- Decide what you need to take home, then work backwards to the rate you quote.
- Look at the fee on each proposal before you send it, and let it inform your bid.
- Revisit your rate as your reviews grow. See when and how to raise your rate.
Further watching
Freelancers explain the newer fee rules in these videos. We have not reviewed their advice, and details may have changed since: