This article explains the different ways to get paid, with timelines varying based on contract type (hourly, fixed-price, Project Catalog, or bonus). Payments can be withdrawn via direct bank transfers, PayPal, Payoneer, and more, with options depending on your location. You can set up an automatic payment schedule or withdraw funds manually at any time. For security, you’ll need to add a new payment method if your account details change.
We understand that knowing when you’ll get paid is important for planning and peace of mind.
The time when your earnings become available depends on the type of payment — hourly, fixed-price, for a Project Catalog project, or a bonus:
- Hourly contracts are based on a weekly billing cycle. The weekly billing period ends on Sunday. Your funds will be available 10 days later (the following Wednesday). Some contracts are eligible for faster payments. Learn more here.
- Fixed-price contracts are based on milestones. Once the client approves a milestone, you'll be able to withdraw your earnings after a five-day security period.
- Project Catalog contracts are based on project approval. Once the client approves your project, your funds are available after a five-day security period.
- Bonus payments are available to you after your client's payment has been successfully processed and the five-day security period has passed.
To access your earnings, you'll need to add a payment method and set your tax status.
To make it easy for you to access your money, we offer a number of choices for withdrawing your funds. You can withdraw directly to your bank account with the following payment methods:
- Direct to U.S. Bank (ACH) — Free
- Direct to Local Bank (outside of U.S.) — $0.99 USD per transfer
- U.S. Dollar Wire Transfer — $50.00 USD per transfer
- Instant Pay for U.S. Freelancers — $2.00 USD per transfer
We also work with the following third-party payment vendors:
The availability of payment methods varies by country, and some banks may charge incoming fees additional to those listed above. Your available options will be displayed when you add a payment method. Consider comparing costs and access options in your country before selecting a method.
Note:
If you are withdrawing directly to your bank account, the beneficiary name on your bank account must match your verified name on Upwork. This includes the addition of middle names, family names or unique characters. Exceptions may be made for transgender users and common name changes, i.e., Robert to Bob.
If your payment method was flagged for a name mismatch, you may add a new payment method that reflects your Upwork verified name, or reply to the email sent from Upwork to start the process of verifying that you are an authorized user on the payment method.
- Go to Account settings › Get Paid
- Choose Add Method
- Choose the Set Up button for your chosen method and enter the information
- Choose a payment schedule and choose Next
We take the security of your account very seriously. For security reasons, your new payment method will become active in three calendar days.
Be sure to double check your account number(s) and details carefully. You must enter these details accurately to withdraw your money.
Consider setting up a second payment method as a backup. Then, if your first payment method isn't available for some reason, you will still be able to access your funds. You can add as many methods as you want and make changes as needed.
When you set up a withdrawal method, we’ll ask how often you’d like us to automatically send the funds you earn through your preferred withdrawal method. You can set minimum withdrawal amounts so we only take action if your balance is larger than the amount you set, (which can help reduce transfer fees and keep earnings in your account to purchase Connects or membership
First, set up a payment method. Next, choose your payment schedule. Then, we’ll disburse your available balance to your preferred payment method automatically according to your chosen schedule. Learn more about setting up and changing your payment withdrawal schedule.
Even after you set up an automatic payment schedule, you can still withdraw your available funds manually at any time.
If you want to keep earnings in your account to purchase Connects or a monthly membership plan, you can set a reserve balance of up to $250 USD that won’t be disbursed with your scheduled withdrawals.
For example, you may want to keep $150 USD in a reserve balance to easily buy Connects. When you purchase Connects and your balance drops below $150 USD, we’ll automatically use any earnings you collect to keep the reserve balance at $150 USD.
Important:
We will always replenish your reserve balance so it has the amount you want in it before releasing any automatic payments. You can withdraw your reserve balance by making a manual withdrawal at any time.
To set up, edit, or remove a reserve balance:
- Go to Account Settings > Get Paid
- Choose the pencil icon 🖉 in the Withdrawal schedule section
- Toggle the Reserve balance option on or off, then make the changes you need
You can withdraw your available balance at any time using the "Get paid now" option.
- Go to Account settings > Get Paid
- Choose the Get paid now button
- Choose the amount to withdraw
- Choose Get paid
- Go to Account settings > Get Paid
- Under Withdrawal methods, find the one you want to change
- Choose Edit or Remove
- Follow the prompts based on your choice
To protect the security of your account, we don’t allow you to edit certain information within a payment method. You cannot edit email addresses, bank account numbers, and bank codes. You must add a new payment method if these change. These new payment methods will be subject to the same three-day waiting period that we applied to your first payment selection. Don't forget to remove the old payment method at that time, too.
- Go to Account settings > Get Paid
- Under Payment Methods, find the one you want to remove
- Select Remove from the (...) options menu
Troubleshooting
Your earnings will show as in review or pending on your financial overview while payments are in the review and security periods.
For security reasons, when you set up a new payment method, it will become available for use three calendar days after it has been added.
All freelancers must enter their tax status.
If your account is temporarily limited, your ability to withdraw may be turned off until the issue is resolved. Check your emails and notifications for instructions to resolve any restrictions.
For additional troubleshooting tips for non-received or returned withdrawals, go here.
