How to Get Top Rated on Upwork (Secret Tips from a $100K Freelancer)

Have you ever wondered why some Upwork freelancers seem to land the best clients while others struggle to get noticed?

The answer often comes down to one thing: that little Top Rated badge next to their name.

I’ve been watching this pattern for years. Upwork freelancers with the Top Rated status consistently outperform those without it. They get more job invitations, better rates, and clients who actually respect their expertise. Therefore, many freelancers are curious about how to get that badge. 

But here’s the thing — earning that badge isn’t as mysterious as it seems. You need to maintain a Job Success Score of at least 90%, which basically means your clients are happy with your work.

In this guide, I’ll share the strategies I use in my own journey to 6-figures on the platform. 

TLDR : Quick Takeaways

Use these strategies to achieve and maintain Top Rated status on Upwork:

• Meet the core requirements: Maintain 90%+ Job Success Score, earn $1,000+ annually, complete 100% profile, and stay active within 90 days.
• Exceed client expectations consistently: Set clear upfront expectations, deliver ahead of deadlines, add small extras, and communicate progress regularly.
• Maintain status through ongoing effort: Stay platform-active, update availability status, handle difficult clients professionally, and monitor JSS.

What You Need to Become Top Rated

A Top Rated badge tells potential clients you belong to an elite group of freelancers who deliver exceptional work. Top Rated freelancers get exclusive benefits like Talent Specialist Matching, Job Digest subscriptions, and quicker payments.

Getting that Top Rated badge puts you in the top 10% of all Upwork users. But don’t expect Upwork to hand it out easily. The platform has specific requirements, and they’re not negotiable. Miss one, and you’re out of the running.

Here’s exactly what you need:

• Maintain a Job Success Score (JSS) of 90% or higher
• Have completed your first project on Upwork more than 90 days ago
• Sustained a JSS of at least 90% for 13 out of the last 16 weeks (or maintained Rising Talent status)
• Complete your profile 100% (90% for former Elance users)
• Earn a minimum of $1,000 USD within the past 12 months
• Keep your availability status current
• Maintain an account in good standing without recent holds
• Remain active on the platform within the past 90 days (through proposals, accepted invitations, or earnings)

Now, about that profile completion requirement. Half of your profile needs the basics: 

• professional photo, 
• service overview, 
• employment history,
•  relevant skills. 

The other half? Fill it with 

• portfolio pieces, 
• certifications, 
• education details, 
• a profile video. (optional)

How to get Top Rated as an Agency

Running an agency? The rules change slightly. You’ll need at least two team members (including yourself), maintain an agency JSS of 90% or higher, and hit $10,000 in earnings within the past 12 months.

But here’s what catches many freelancers off guard — the Top Rated badge isn’t permanent. Upwork reviews eligibility every two weeks. Let your JSS drop below 90% or slack off on any other requirement, and you’ll watch that badge disappear.

This is why understanding these requirements matters. Once you earn Top Rated status, you’ll see more job invitations, higher client trust, and access to better-paying opportunities. But you have to earn it first.

Getting the Top Rated Badge

Your journey to Top Rated starts the moment you sign up for Upwork. From your first job, every deliverable is accounted for. In simple words, meeting requirements isn’t enough anymore.

If you want that Top Rated badge, you need clients who are more than just satisfied. You need them raving about you. And your Job Success Score (JSS) is a reflection of that. 

Here’s what I did in my own freelancing journey on Upwork. 

1. Set clear expectations from the start

Most project disasters start before you even begin working.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen freelancers get terrible reviews because they thought they understood the project but completely missed the mark. The client wanted A, the freelancer delivered B, and nobody’s happy.

Before accepting any contract, I walk through these details with every client:

• What exactly gets delivered, and what doesn’t
• My working hours and when they can expect responses
• How often I’ll check in with updates
• Timeline with specific deadlines
• What happens if they want changes

For example, if the client wants a blog written, I’ll ask for a content brief. Otherwise, I’ll communicate the expectations that I’m given autonomy in my job. 

Yes, this takes extra time upfront. But it prevents those nightmare scenarios where you’re three weeks into a project and the client says, “This isn’t what I wanted at all.”

Document everything in writing. Trust me on this one.

2. Stick to deadlines and communicate progress

Missing a deadline is the fastest way to tank your Job Success Score.

But many freelancers don’t realize that how you communicate during the project matters just as much as hitting your deadline.

Some clients want daily updates. Others prefer radio silence until you deliver. Ask which they prefer during your initial conversation.

When problems come up (and they will), don’t wait until the last minute to mention them. I learned the lesson when I assumed the client would want to start a web copywriting job after they got the design ready. Turned out, they wanted the copy done first. Thankfully, I managed to hit the deadline, but barely. 

Now, if something threatens a deadline, I reach out immediately with the problem and a proposed solution.

3. Add small extras to surprise clients

Want to turn a one-time gig into a long-term relationship?

Give them something they didn’t expect.

I’m not talking about major additions that eat into your profit. Small gestures that take 10-15 minutes but leave a lasting impression:

• Deliver a day early when possible
• Include a quick explainer of your process or decisions
• Add a relevant tip sheet or resource
• Suggest improvements they hadn’t considered

These little extras cost you almost nothing but create memorable experiences. And memorable experiences lead to repeat clients.

4. Ask for feedback at the right time

Client’s feedback or reviews play a huge role in getting that Top Rated badge. I spent my early years on Upwork strengthening my profile with positive feedback.

Back then, you could only request feedback after closing the contract. But by then, some clients have moved on. They’re thinking about their next project, not writing glowing reviews.

Instead, ask for feedback before submitting your final deliverables. Give them a chance to request any tweaks. Make sure they’re completely satisfied.

You can also request mid-contract feedback on Upwork if the contract is over 30 days old and has recent payments. This feedback shows up in your work history but doesn’t affect your Job Success Score.

When you do ask, keep it simple: “I hope you’re pleased with how this turned out. Would you mind sharing your feedback on Upwork? It really helps other clients understand the quality of work I deliver.“

Remember, great work speaks louder than any review. Focus on exceeding expectations, and the positive feedback will follow. 

Keeping Your Top Rated Badge (The Real Challenge)

I’ve seen plenty of freelancers celebrate getting their badge, only to lose it within a few months. Why? Because they think the hard work is over. But Upwork constantly reviews factors that contribute to your Top Rated badge. For example, it calculates JSS daily, which influences your badge.  

So, be mindful of these practices to keep your Top Rated badge .

1. Don’t disappear from the platform

This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many freelancers disappear once they land a few good clients. After 90 days, they’ll lose the badge. 

Even when I’m swamped with client work, I make sure to submit at least one proposal every few weeks. It keeps you visible in the algorithm and reminds Upwork that you’re still an active freelancer.

Trust me, the last thing you want is to lose your badge because you got too comfortable.

2. Handle problem clients like a pro

Let’s be honest — you’ll encounter difficult clients. It’s not a matter of if, but when.

The key is staying professional even when they’re not. I learned this the hard way early in my Upwork career. When a client gets hostile or unreasonable, take a step back. Cool off before responding.

In fact, being diplomatic is how I got a 4.6 stars review from a project bogged by miscommunication. 

So, document everything. Every conversation, every scope change, every agreement. This protects you and shows Upwork that you’re handling conflicts professionally.

3. Watch your JSS like a hawk

Upwork calculates your JSS daily based on your 6, 12, and 24-month performance. Since you need that 90% to keep your Top Rated status, checking your JSS insights page should be part of your routine.

When you’ve yet to establish yourself on the platform, your JSS might fluctuate. Also, negative private reviews can drag the JSS down. So, you’ll want to stay alert for any problems that affect your JSS.

That said, if your JSS drops, don’t panic. Continue to pitch, secure clients, and deliver great jobs. Eventually, you’ll recover. 

What Comes After Top Rated

Getting the Top Rated badge is just the beginning. Once you’ve crossed that threshold, the game shifts, which calls for advanced strategies.

1. Push for Top Rated Plus and Expert-Vetted

Top Rated Plus represents the top 3% who excel with large contracts. You need $10,000 in earnings over 12 months and at least one large contract without negative outcomes.

But Expert-Vetted status is the holy grail. We’re talking about the top 1% of talent with benefits that change everything:

• Priority access to Enterprise and Business Plus clients
• A dedicated Talent Manager for profile optimization
• Visibility in expert-level talent searches
• Professional development opportunities

Personally, I’ll say that Expert Vetted is the most valuable badge simply because you don’t automatically get it after meeting some ‘criteria’. 

2. Specialize to command a higher rate

Generic freelancers are a dime a dozen. I see them every day. Talented people who try to be everything to everyone and end up being nothing to no one.

Meanwhile, niche specialists command higher rates because they solve specific problems that general freelancers can’t.

Think about this. Would you rather compete with 1,000 general writers for a $20/hour job, or compete with 50 specialized writers for a $100/hour project?

When you position yourself as the go-to expert for market research in fintech or content creation for SaaS companies, clients stop comparing you to the lowest bidder.

Learn how much can you actually make on Upwork here.

3. Turn clients into partnerships

You won’t make serious money if you are bouncing from project to project. Instead, long-term partnerships are where you find stability and better earnings.. 

Most of my clients spent 3-4 years with me. The logic is simple. 

You start with a small project, deliver exceptional value, and suddenly you’re their go-to person for everything in your area. These clients stop shopping around because they trust you to handle their needs.

The secret isn’t just doing good work. It’s understanding their business well enough to spot opportunities they haven’t even considered yet.

Stay sharp or get left behind

Upwork keeps raising the bar. What got you to Top Rated won’t necessarily keep you there as competition heats up. In fact, Upwork is no longer a beginner-friendly platform. So, you need to be at the top of your game to survive the competition. 

I make it a point to update my skills regularly and watch how successful freelancers adapt to platform changes. The ones who coast on past success eventually find themselves struggling to compete with hungrier talent.

Final thoughts

You’ve seen the requirements, the strategies, and what it takes to get  that Top Rated badge. The truth is, most freelancers never make it to Top Rated. Not because they lack skills, but because they underestimate what it takes to consistently exceed client expectations.

But Top Rated is just the beginning. Once you’re there, opportunities like Top Rated Plus and Expert-Vetted open up. I’ve seen freelancers specialize in specific niches and command rates that seemed impossible when they started as generalists.

Your Upwork journey starts with that first 90% Job Success Score, but where it goes from there is entirely up to you.

FAQs

What are the key requirements to become Top Rated on Upwork? 

To become Top Rated, you need to maintain a Job Success Score of at least 90%, earn a minimum of $1,000 in the past 12 months, complete your profile 100%, and remain active on the platform within the last 90 days.

How can I consistently exceed client expectations on Upwork?

 Exceed expectations by setting clear project scopes upfront, delivering work ahead of deadlines, providing regular progress updates, and offering small extras beyond the original requirements to surprise and delight clients.

What strategies help maintain Top Rated status once achieved? 

To maintain Top Rated status, stay active on the platform, keep your profile and availability updated, handle difficult clients professionally, and regularly monitor your Job Success Score to identify areas for improvement.

How can I increase my rates on Upwork as a Top Rated freelancer? 

Gradually increase your rates as you gain more experience and positive feedback. Consider raising your rate when you’re consistently booked or receiving more job invitations than you can handle. Specializing in a niche can also justify higher rates.

What are the benefits of progressing to Top Rated Plus status? 

Top Rated Plus represents the top 3% of talent on Upwork. Benefits include increased visibility to high-value clients, access to exclusive contracts, and the ability to command premium rates for your services.