Why Does Upwork Pay So Little? (What You Need To Know)

Have you signed up to Upwork, excitedly awaiting your first project? While looking for your first projects to apply to, you may realize that the pay is much lower than you expected. You’re not alone in this feeling – many people are confused about why Upwork pays so little for certain jobs.

This blog post will aim to clarify why this is the case, and how you can make more money on Upwork.

Answer To The Question Why Does Upwork Pay So Little:

Technically it’s not Upwork that’s paying so low, it’s the clients that are posting the jobs. Here’s a little more context to help explain why this is:

Many clients who post on Upwork are looking for cheap labor. They want to pay as little as possible for a job, and will often go with the lowest bidder.
The client may not be knowledgeable about what the job they’re posting is worth. They may not realize that they’re underpaying, or they may not care.
Some clients are only willing to pay a certain amount for the job, no matter what.
These clients know that there are new freelancers on the platform looking to land their first work, so they offer lower rates to get those first-time freelancers to work for them.
Last but not least Upwork also takes a commission, so the freelancer isn’t getting 100% of what the client is paying.

This doesn’t mean that all clients on Upwork are looking to lowball freelancers – there are plenty of well-paying jobs to be found on the platform. However, it’s important to be aware that these job postings do exist, and that you may have to sift through a lot of them before finding something that pays well.

How To Make More Money On Upwork

There are a few things you can do to make more money on Upwork:

Look for long-term projects or recurring work from the same client. These often pay more because the client is looking for stability and wants to avoid the hassle of finding a new freelancer every time they need something done.
Specify your rates in your profile. This will let clients know that you’re not willing to work for cheap, and may scare off some of the lowballers.
Apply to jobs that you’re qualified for. If you have the skills and experience that the client is looking for, you’re more likely to get hired at a higher rate.
Negotiate with the client. If you think you’re worth more than what they’re offering, don’t be afraid to ask. Keep in mind, though, that not all clients are willing to negotiate.
Get good reviews to build up your profile. This will show clients that you’re a freelancer who is worth hiring and may help you land higher-paying jobs.

Is There a Way To Get Rid Of The Fees So You Can Earn Even More?

The best way to cut down the fees on Upwork is to work with a specific client for a longer period. The more you earn from one client, the fewer fees get taken out of your pay. The following fees apply. 20% of the first $500 you bill your customer, 10% of all charges between $500.01 and $10,000, and 5% of all charges over $10,000.

Connects

Another way to cut the amount of money you spend on fees is to use your connect’s wisely. Connects are what you use to send proposals for different projects. If you don’t use them wisely, you will have to pay $0.15 per connect if you want more. Take a look at this blog post explaining connect’s more in depth.

Get Higher Paying Skills

One of the best ways to offset the low rates you may be seeing is to get better-paying skills. If you can offer skills that are in high demand, you’re more likely to be hired at a higher rate. Below is a list of different higher-paying freelance skills and what they consist of.

Web Developer:

A web developer is responsible for the design and layout of a website, as well as the coding that makes it work. Depending on what the job is for, Web Developers can earn anywhere from $40 to $150 per hour (according to Upwork).

Proofreader:

Proofreaders are in high demand, as they are responsible for editing and proofreading written content. Proofreaders can earn anywhere from $18-$35 per hour (according to Upwork).

Graphic Designer:

A graphic designer is responsible for creating visual designs that represent a company or product. Graphic designers can earn anywhere from $15 to $150 with an average pay of $25 per hour (according to Upwork).

As you can see, there are several ways to make more money on Upwork. While the platform may have its downsides, it’s still a great way to find work as a freelancer. By being aware of the potential pitfalls and taking steps to avoid them, you can be successful on Upwork and make the most of the platform.

Can You Make 6 Figures On Upwork?

This is a difficult question to answer, as there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on a variety of factors, such as what skills you have to offer, how in-demand those skills are, and how much experience you have. That being said, it is possible to make six figures on Upwork if you have the right skills and are able to market yourself effectively.

Upwork is a great platform for finding freelance work, but it does have its downsides. By being aware of the potential pitfalls and taking steps to avoid them, you can be successful on Upwork and make the most of the platform.

Conclusion

Upwork is a great platform for finding freelance work, but it’s important to be aware of the fact that not all clients are willing to pay a fair wage. There are a few things you can do to make more money on Upwork, such as looking for long-term projects, applying to jobs you’re qualified for, and negotiating with clients. You can also use your connect’s wisely to save on fees. If you’re looking for a platform that doesn’t have these fees, consider using a different platform altogether.

If you found this blog post helpful, please share it with your friends and on social media.

We have plenty of different blog posts on how to make money online, so be sure to check them out! Take a look at the most recent ones below:

Why Does Upwork Pay So Little? (What You Need To Know)