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:

1. Delivered enough completed work to have a real track record
2. Kept clients happy consistently, not just once
3. 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.