What Does Top Rated Plus Mean on Upwork? A Client's Guide
If you've spent any time browsing Upwork, you've probably seen the green Top Rated Plus badge next to some freelancer names and wondered what it actually means — and whether it's worth paying attention to when you're hiring.
I hold the Top Rated Plus badge myself, so I can walk you through exactly what it takes to earn and keep it.
What Top Rated Plus Actually Requires
Upwork doesn't hand this badge out for signing up. To qualify, a freelancer generally needs:
- A Job Success Score of 90% or higher, sustained over time
- At least $10,000 in earnings on the platform
- A strong recent history of on-time delivery and client satisfaction
- Consistent, active work across a rolling 90-day and 12-month window
Upwork recalculates eligibility regularly, so it's not a one-time achievement — it has to be maintained. Miss the bar for too long and the badge disappears.
Why This Matters When You're Hiring
Anyone can write 'expert' in their profile title. A badge that's algorithmically earned from real client outcomes is a different signal entirely. When you filter for Top Rated Plus on Upwork, you're filtering for freelancers who have:
- Delivered enough completed work to have a real track record
- Kept clients happy consistently, not just once
- Earned enough on the platform that reputation is worth protecting
My Own Numbers
As of today, my Upwork profile shows 100% Job Success, Top Rated Plus status, 84 completed jobs, and over 7,795 hours logged — most of it WordPress development, Elementor, WooCommerce, and custom plugin work. You can see the full history on my Upwork profile.
Badge vs. Fit
One caveat: Top Rated Plus tells you a freelancer is reliable, not that they're the right specialist for your exact project. Pair the badge with a look at relevant past work — I've broken down real projects in detail in my WordPress case studies.
If you're evaluating WordPress developers for a project, my guide on how to hire a WordPress developer on Upwork without getting burned covers the practical side of vetting, beyond just badges.
Work With Me
I'm a Top Rated Plus WordPress developer and AI automation specialist on Upwork, with 100% Job Success and 7,795+ hours delivered across 84 completed projects. View my Upwork profile, browse my portfolio, or get in touch.