How to Make Money on Upwork: A Beginner-Friendly Review

Updated April 22, 2025.

If you’ve been dreaming of working from home, setting your own schedule, and using your skills to earn money online, chances are you’ve heard of Upwork. Maybe you’ve even scrolled through their site a few times, wondering if it's the real deal or just another too-good-to-be-true platform.

I’ve done the homework for you, and here’s what I can say with confidence. Upwork is one of the most legitimate freelancing platforms out there, and yes, real people make real money here.

But like any opportunity, it helps to know exactly what you’re signing up for. Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Upwork?

Upwork is an online marketplace where businesses and individuals hire freelancers from all over the world to help with a wide range of tasks.

These can include writing, graphic design, customer service, virtual assistance, software development, video editing, and so much more.

It’s basically a go-to hub for companies that need help but don’t want to hire someone full-time. That creates a huge opportunity for freelancers like you who want flexible, remote work on your terms!

How Do You Find Jobs on Upwork?

Once you create your free account and complete your freelancer profile, you’ll have access to the job feed. This is where clients post projects and tasks they need help with.

You can filter jobs by category, budget, experience level, or even client location if you want to work with specific regions.

To apply for a job, you submit a proposal. This includes a short cover letter, a rate quote, and sometimes answers to a few custom questions the client includes.

You’ll also spend a few “Connects” each time you apply, which is Upwork’s internal currency. You get some free Connects each month, and you can purchase more if needed.

The key to getting hired is creating a professional, clear profile and taking time to tailor each proposal. You won’t land every job you apply for, but if you stay persistent, you’ll get responses.

If you're looking for really easy stuff to do on there, check out this list of 15 mindless tasks you can get paid to do on Upwork.

What Can You Earn?

Earnings on Upwork vary widely. Some freelancers make a few hundred dollars a month for extra spending money, while others bring in six figures a year and treat it like a full-time career.

Here are some average hourly rates on Upwork by category:

• Entry-level writing or admin support: $10 to $25 per hour
• Intermediate graphic design or marketing: $25 to $50 per hour
• Experienced web development or consulting: $50 to $100+ per hour

You can also set fixed project prices instead of hourly rates if that fits your work style better.

Upwork does take a service fee, which starts at 20 percent for the first $500 you bill a client and goes down as your earnings with that client increase.

So if you build long-term client relationships, you’ll keep more of your income over time.

How Qualified Do You Need to Be?

One of the best parts about Upwork is that you don’t need a fancy degree or years of experience to start! What you do need is confidence in your abilities and the willingness to learn how to present yourself well.

Even beginners can find success here. Many clients are looking for affordable help and are willing to give new freelancers a chance. If you can communicate clearly, follow directions, and meet deadlines, you can do well.

That said, certain fields are more competitive than others. If you’re a beginner, start by applying for smaller jobs to build up your reviews.

Once you’ve got some positive feedback and a few completed projects under your belt, you’ll be much more attractive to bigger clients.

Do You Have to Live in a Certain Country?

Nope. Upwork is available to freelancers all over the world. Whether you live in the United States, the Philippines, the UK, India, or anywhere else, you can apply for work on Upwork as long as your country is supported by their payment system.

When you sign up, you’ll select your country and currency. Just make sure your profile reflects your actual location, since transparency builds trust with clients.

Also, keep in mind that time zone differences may come into play if you’re working with clients overseas.

Real Success Stories from Upwork Freelancers

Need a little inspiration? These freelancers turned Upwork into something more than a side gig:

• Morgan Overholt was a graphic designer who turned her freelance side hustle into a full-time business on Upwork. She made over $300,000 in her first few years and now teaches others how to do the same.
• Alex Fasulo, a freelance writer, earned her first six figures on Upwork in just one year. She’s been featured in CNBC and now runs her own business. Her success story

These stories prove it can be done. They also show that success usually comes from consistency, communication, and going the extra mile for your clients.

Where to Sign Up

If you’re ready to get started, you can sign up and create your freelancer profile.

It’s free to join, and you can start browsing jobs right away. Just be sure to take your time filling out your profile, adding samples, and highlighting what makes you unique.

Final Thoughts

Upwork is not a magic button that guarantees instant success, but it is a legitimate platform that gives freelancers real opportunities.

If you’re willing to put in the effort, market your skills, and build your reputation, you absolutely can make money here. For some, it’s a little extra on the side. For others, it becomes the foundation of a full-time, location-independent career.

Looking For Even More Legit Remote Jobs?

FlexJobs is one of my favorite sites to use for finding remote jobs and learning about new companies that hire remotely.

Most of what I see there when I check the listings pays well above minimum wage and are known companies.

The great thing about FlexJobs is that they guarantee ALL listings are scam-free. They list hundreds of jobs — all of which are either remote or flexible in nature — five days per week.

There are also no ads on the site!