Learn how Upwork’s automatic withdrawals work, from schedules and reserve balances to minimums and manual withdrawals, so you can manage earnings smoothly.
In this article
- How does Upwork’s automatic withdrawal schedule work?
- What automatic withdrawal schedules can I choose?
- How do I set up or update automatic withdrawals?
- What’s a reserve balance, and how do I set it up?
- Can I still withdraw money manually if I set up an automatic withdrawal schedule?
- How do I access my reserve balance?
- What happens if I don’t reach my automatic withdrawal minimum?
How does Upwork’s automatic withdrawal schedule work?
- You choose a schedule for withdrawals: weekly, twice per month, monthly, or quarterly
- You set a minimum withdrawal amount (like $100). If your balance hasn’t reached that amount by your scheduled date, the funds stay put
- You can keep a reserve balance (up to $250) in your account — handy for buying Connects or covering membership fees
Upwork will automatically send your withdrawal on the schedule you choose if your balance has reached your minimum, minus your reserve balance (optional).
Note: If any funds have been in your account for 180 days, they’ll be withdrawn automatically, no matter your schedule or balance settings. This is a built-in safeguard so your earnings don’t sit idle too long.
What automatic withdrawal schedules can I choose?
You can choose how often Upwork sends your money:
- Weekly – Every Wednesday
- Twice per month – 1st and 3rd Wednesday
- Monthly – Last Wednesday of the month
-
Quarterly – Last Monday of each quarter
Heads up: For weekly, twice-per-month, and monthly schedules, if your full balance becomes available on your scheduled withdrawal day and you had $0 USD available beforehand, the payout will wait until the next cycle. If there’s any prior balance, you’ll still be paid out that day.
How do I set up or update automatic withdrawals?
To set up or edit your automatic withdraw information:
- Go to Account settings (desktop) or Settings (mobile app) > Withdrawals
- In the Withdrawal schedule section, click or tap the pencil icon
- Update your schedule, minimum amount, or reserve balance
- Click Save changes
What’s a reserve balance, and how do I set it up?
Want to keep a little cash in your account for Connects or subscriptions? You can set up an optional reserve balance up to $250 USD.
- Upwork will hold back this amount before sending an automatic withdrawal
- If you spend from it (say on Connects), your next earnings will go toward replenishing it
- You can access your reserve funds anytime with a manual withdrawal
To set or update your reserve balance:
- Go to Account settings (desktop) or Settings (mobile) > Withdrawals
- In the Withdrawal schedule section, click the pencil icon
- Toggle Reserve balance on
- Enter the amount you want to reserve
- Click Save changes
Can I still withdraw money manually if I set up an automatic withdrawal schedule?
Yes! You can withdraw available funds anytime using the Withdraw now button — regardless of your withdrawal schedule.
How do I access my reserve balance?
Just withdraw funds manually, and your reserve balance will be included. You can also lower your reserve amount or set it to zero and turn off the feature in your withdrawal settings.
What happens if I don’t reach my automatic withdrawal minimum?
No worries — your funds won’t be lost. If your balance never hits the limit you set, it’ll stay put until:
- You manually withdraw it, OR
- 180 days pass, and Upwork automatically sends it to your withdrawal method