An Upwork API key is a secure access credential that allows external applications to connect to your Upwork account through the Upwork API.
It’s used to exchange data automatically - for example, to read job listings, manage proposals, or analyze activity - without needing to log in manually each time.
How it works
When you create an API key, Upwork gives you two pieces of information:
Client ID (Key) - identifies your integration or app.
Client Secret - a private code used to verify your app’s identity.
These two values let your system communicate with Upwork through secure API requests.
What you can do with it
You can use the Upwork API key to:
Retrieve job, contract, and proposal data programmatically.
Automate reporting, analytics, or workflow tasks.
Integrate Upwork data into custom dashboards or CRMs.
Manage team activity, contracts, and payments via the API.
Developers often use it to build internal tools or connect Upwork with other platforms.
Security and permissions
The Upwork API key is safe as long as you keep it private.
Access is protected through OAuth 2.0 and HTTPS encryption.
You can define which permissions your app has - for example:
Payments - Read and write access
Activity Entities - Read-only access
Never share your Client Secret publicly or store it in unsecured files.
Approval and limits
Upwork reviews every API key request manually.
To get approval, your Upwork account must:
Be verified with an active payment method.
Include a clear description of how the API will be used.
Follow Upwork’s API Terms of Use.
Once approved, the key appears in your Developer Settings → Active Keys section.