SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
What is Upwork?
Upwork is a marketplace for freelancers in fields like writing, graphic design, web development, marketing and many other categories of online work. The site helps professionals find projects, communicate with clients and get paid.
Is Upwork a legit way to make money?
If you’re a new freelancer, or just beginning an online side hustle, you can rack up valuable experience without always having to pitch clients cold on Upwork. That makes it legit. But the site is full of new workers who are willing to take work for a lower rate, which can impact your earning potential. That means, as it does with any online business or side hustle, it’ll likely take time, dedication and skill to earn big.
Overall, Upwork makes it easier to look for jobs and make money, but think carefully about which gigs you want to apply for.
What skills are in-demand on Upwork?
Specialized technology skills are popular on Upwork. According to Upwork’s website, the most in-demand skills for 2026 include:
- Accounting.
- Virtual assistance.
- Full stack development.
- Data analytics.
- Graphic design.
- Social media marketing.
Learning one of those could be a way to stand out. Other more mainstream skills like web design, email marketing and bookkeeping are in-demand and fast-growing too, according to Upwork.
» MORE: Game apps that pay real money
How do you get a gig on Upwork?
Joining Upwork is a straightforward process, but once you’re in, you’ll need to sell yourself.
1. Set up a robust profile
Your profile serves the same purpose as a general résumé for prospective employers. You can’t get work without one, and that’s where you’ll start when you sign up.
Profile essentials include:
- A title that spotlights your skills.
- Your headshot.
- A profile write-up about yourself.
- Your hourly rate.
- Relevant skills.
- Service categories.
Standing out is important in such a vast marketplace of freelancers. Put some thought into your profile title and overview to give prospective clients a good sense of what you can offer. Enhance your profile with examples of your work in the portfolio section.
Upwork will typically approve your profile within 48 hours, assuming the information is verifiable and accurate. Then you can get working.
2. Contact potential clients with “Connects”
Upwork offers two membership plans for freelancers: Basic and Plus.
Freelancer Basic is the default free plan. Each month, the basic plan comes with 10 free "Connects," which are the platform’s internal token used to contact clients. You can also pay $0.15 for additional Connects, which are sold in bundles or custom amounts.
Search for jobs on the site, and use your Connects to submit proposals. Proposals include an introductory letter, your desired fee and answers to questions the client included in the posting. You can also send examples of any work you think would be relevant.
Freelancer Plus is the paid plan for those who want to fully commit to Upwork freelancing. This plan is $19.99 a month and gets you 100 Connects per month.
The plan provides a few other perks that might appeal to more dedicated freelancers, like instant job alerts, expanded insights and full access to Upwork’s AI tool.
If someone reaches out to you, you don’t have to use any Connects. The more robust your profile looks, the more likely you are to receive job offers from potential clients.
3. Win a gig and get to work
To get hired, clients will send you a contract to initiate the project. You’ll work with your client, keeping them informed through the platform as you complete the work. Once the work delivered is approved, you’ll be paid by direct deposit, PayPal or one of the other available payment methods.
How much of your fee goes to Upwork?
Upwork takes between 0% and 15% from your earnings, so factor that into your pricing strategy. The service fee applies to both hourly rate and fixed-price earnings.
- If you charge a $100 hourly rate and pay a 10% service fee, you’ll earn $90 per hour after the Upwork fee.
- If you charge $500 for a fixed-rate project and incur a 10% service fee, you’ll earn $450 after the fee.
Hourly projects
All hourly projects are logged in your Work Diary, which is built into Upwork’s desktop app. With this function on, the app tracks your time in 10-minute billing cycles and records keystrokes, scrolling and clicks and takes screenshots.
You can turn the Work Diary’s time tracker on and off at any time, and add work time manually if you have permission from the client.
Upwork bills your client for hours worked on a weekly billing cycle.
Fixed-price projects
Payment for fixed-price projects is more straightforward. The person or company contracting you has to set aside a certain amount of money when you make the agreement. The employer must also set milestones, which are concrete deliverables on the way to the finished job.
You’re paid with some or all of the deposit once you hit these checkpoints, and the remainder is paid once everything is complete.
» See our guidance if you need money fast
How to do well on Upwork
Like with any client-service business, communicate effectively, deliver work products on time and meet or exceed client standards.
Upwork measures your overall performance using a Job Success Score, which is a percentage that ranges from 0-100% displayed on your profile. The score takes into account a variety of factors, such as public and private feedback, contract delivery and customer relationships.
In other words, do great work, deliver it on time and be pleasant to work with.
Is Upwork the right freelance marketplace for you?
If you’re a freelancer and want access to an open market of clients, it’s probably worth giving Upwork a look. It’s also worth checking similar freelance websites like Freelancer and Fiverr while you’re at it.
That said, the competition and utter vastness of a site like Upwork could discourage some. It’s an interesting option, but not the only way to become a freelancer. If you’re motivated and resourceful enough to find and contact potential clients on your own outside of Upwork, you may be able to secure steady opportunities that don’t require up to a 15% cut.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.
