Upwork simplifies payments for hourly contracts by automatically invoicing clients for time you log via the Time Tracker app or add manually. Payments follow a set billing cycle: hours are logged in Week 1, invoiced to clients in Week 2, and earnings become available for withdrawal in Week 3 after a five-day security period. If logged hours exceed the weekly limit, they won't be invoiced and will only be paid if the client agrees to issue a bonus to cover that amount. Additionally, some contracts may include a recurring weekly payment. You can track your earnings and withdraw funds using your preferred payment method. - AI summary
We understand timely payments are important, and invoicing takes time away from your work. That’s why we make getting paid for hourly contracts as simple and hassle-free as possible.
Your clients are automatically invoiced and billed for hours you log, whether tracked with our Time Tracker or added as manual time, according to the weekly billing cycle. Hourly contracts may also be covered by Upwork Hourly Protection.
However, if you log time over the weekly limit that you and your client set, it won't be invoiced. Your client can see it in your Work Diary, and you can discuss the possibility of a bonus payment for that time.
All applicable time is invoiced to your client according to the schedule below, using the UTC time zone:
- Week 1 — Log time using Upwork’s Time Tracker or manually enter hours
- Week 2 — Hours are invoiced on Monday (UTC), and clients have until Friday to review your work
- Week 3 — Earnings become available the following Wednesday (UTC)
Bonus payments do not go through the review process but are subject to a five-day security hold.
Some contracts are eligible for faster payments! Learn more here.
Weekly payment
A weekly payment is an automatic, recurring payment for a specific amount. Clients are invoiced for this amount each week in addition to your billable hours. Unlike billed hours, weekly payments do not have a review period and become available after the standard five-day security period.