Freelancers on Upwork pay a service fee between 0% and 15% on all earnings, including hourly, fixed-price, and Project Catalog work. The specific rate is contract-dependent and visible in billing reports. While fees remain fixed per contract, rounding during transactions may result in slight variances from estimated earnings. Certain contract types like Upwork Payroll, Any Hire, Direct Contracts, and Enterprise may be exempt or charged differently.
As a freelancer, you’ll pay a Freelancer Service Fee on the earnings you make on Upwork. This fee is charged on hourly, fixed-price, and Project Catalog projects (including consultations). The fee can range between 0% and 15%, based on factors like supply and demand.
Where can I see the percentage I'll pay?
- Before you get hired: You’ll see the service fee when you submit a proposal. It’s listed clearly so you know exactly how much you’ll earn if the client accepts.
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After you're hired:
You can find the exact fee for each contract in a few places:
- Billings & Earnings report – gives a clear breakdown of what you earned and the fees deducted
- Transaction History and Invoices report – shows the fee alongside each payment
These reports live in your Reports tab and are easy to filter by client, contract, or date.
Using the rate calculator to determine take-home pay (after fee)
The rate calculator estimates your net pay after the fee to help you bid accurately. We charge the client the exact billing rate you enter, but at times rounding may occur.
Example: You want to take home $20 USD per hour after the Freelancer Service Fee. If your fee is 10%, you’ll want to charge the client $22.22 USD per hour.
Now, Let’s say you bill 12 hours. Here's how it will work:
- Your client is charged $266.64 USD (12 hours x $22.22)
- The 10% fee is $26.664 USD or $26.66 USD when rounded down to nearest cent
- Your net earnings are $239.98 USD ($0.02 less than estimated, 12 x $20 = $240 USD)
Now, Let’s say you bill 12 hours. Here's how it will work:
- Your client is charged $333.36 USD (12 hours x $27.78 USD)
- The 10% fee is $33.336 USD or $33.34 USD when rounded up to nearest cent
- Your net earnings are $300.02 USD ($0.02 more than estimated, 12 x $25 USD = $300 USD)
Should I expect the fee on my contracts to change?
No. Once a contract is signed, the Freelancer Service Fee is locked in and won’t change. The fee can vary for different contracts though.
Agency Service Fee
Agencies working with non-Enterprise clients are subject to the same Freelancer Service Fee as other freelancers.
Exceptions
- Upwork Payroll: Freelancers participating in the Upwork Payroll service are paid through a third-party staffing firm and are therefore excluded from paying an Upwork Freelancer Service Fee.
- Any Hire: If you work for a client on an Any Hire contract, you will not pay a Freelancer Service Fee. These contracts are negotiated with the individual client who either met the freelancer off Upwork or paid the conversion fee to work with a freelancer found on Upwork's Marketplace.
- Direct Contracts: If you have created a Direct Contracts contract with a client you brought to Upwork, you’ll pay a reduced Freelancer Service Fee. Learn more about how Direct Contracts fees work here.
- Enterprise: If you're working with an Enterprise client, your service fee might look a little different. Typically, freelancers partnered with Enterprise clients pay a 10% service fee. But since Enterprise relationships are customized, your exact rate depends on the specific terms agreed to when the client joined the program. If you’re unsure what applies to your contract, your Enterprise point of contact is the best person to check with—they’ll have the details specific to your setup.