OnLocum Docs

Earnings & Payments

Understand how you earn money on OnLocum and withdraw your funds.

Earnings & Payments

This guide explains how you earn money on OnLocum, when you get paid, and how to withdraw your funds.

How Earnings Are Calculated

Hourly Rate Shifts

Most shifts pay an hourly rate:

  • Base Rate - The facility's posted hourly rate (e.g., KSh 800/hour)
  • Hours Worked - Confirmed by GPS check-in/check-out
  • Total Earnings = Base Rate x Hours Worked

Example:

  • Shift: 8 hours at KSh 800/hour
  • Gross Earnings: KSh 6,400
  • Service Fee (varies): KSh 640
  • Net Earnings: KSh 5,760

Flat Rate Shifts

Some shifts pay a fixed amount regardless of hours:

  • Posted Amount - The total shift payment (e.g., KSh 5,000)
  • No overtime - Flat rate covers the entire shift
  • Early completion - You still receive full amount

Note

Flat rate shifts clearly display "Flat Rate" on the listing. The posted amount is what you'll receive (minus service fee).

Understanding Deductions

Your gross earnings may have these deductions:

DeductionDescriptionTypical Amount
Service FeeOnLocum platform feeVaries by shift
Withholding TaxGovernment requirement5% (where applicable)
InsuranceIf applicableVaries

Your earnings breakdown shows all deductions clearly before you accept a shift.

Payment Schedule

When You Get Paid

Payments are processed after shift completion:

  1. Shift Ends - You complete the shift and check out
  2. Facility Review - Facility confirms your hours (1-3 business days)
  3. Processing - Payment is processed to your wallet
  4. Available - Funds appear in your OnLocum wallet

Typical Timeline

ScenarioTimeline
Standard shifts1-3 business days after confirmation
Same-day withdrawalAvailable once funds are in wallet
Bank transferAdditional 1-2 business days
Weekend shiftsProcessed Monday if completed over weekend

Instant Pay (Where Available)

Some shifts offer instant payment:

  • Funds available within hours of shift completion
  • May have a small convenience fee
  • Look for the "Instant Pay" badge on shift listings

Your OnLocum Wallet

Viewing Your Balance

  1. Open the OnLocum app
  2. Tap the Wallet icon (or go to Profile > Wallet)
  3. See your:
    • Available Balance (ready to withdraw)
    • Pending Earnings (awaiting facility confirmation)
    • Total Earnings (all-time)

Transaction History

View all your financial activity:

  • Earnings from completed shifts
  • Withdrawals
  • Bonuses and incentives
  • Any adjustments

Tap any transaction to see full details including:

  • Shift information
  • Hours worked
  • Rate breakdown
  • Deductions applied

Withdrawal Methods

The fastest way to get your money:

  1. Go to Wallet > Withdraw
  2. Select M-Pesa
  3. Confirm your phone number (or enter a different one)
  4. Enter the amount
  5. Tap Withdraw
  6. Receive funds within minutes

Tip

Ensure your M-Pesa registered phone number is correct in your profile. Withdrawals to unregistered numbers will fail.

Bank Transfer

Transfer directly to your bank account:

  1. Go to Wallet > Withdraw
  2. Select Bank Transfer
  3. Enter or select your bank details:
    • Bank name
    • Account number
    • Account name
  4. Enter the amount
  5. Confirm withdrawal
  6. Receive funds in 1-2 business days

Adding Bank Details

To set up bank withdrawal:

  1. Go to Profile > Payment Methods
  2. Tap Add Bank Account
  3. Enter your details
  4. Verify with a small test deposit (if required)
  5. Your account is now saved for future withdrawals

Minimum Withdrawal Amounts

MethodMinimumMaximum per Transaction
M-PesaKSh 100KSh 150,000
Bank TransferKSh 500KSh 500,000

Warning

Daily and weekly limits may apply based on your account status and verification level. Contact support to increase limits.

Payment History and Receipts

Viewing Payment History

  1. Go to Wallet > History
  2. Filter by:
    • Date range
    • Transaction type (earnings, withdrawals)
    • Status (completed, pending, failed)

Downloading Receipts

For each completed shift or withdrawal:

  1. Find the transaction in your history
  2. Tap to open details
  3. Tap Download Receipt or Share
  4. Save as PDF or share via email/WhatsApp

Monthly Statements

Get a summary of all your earnings:

  1. Go to Wallet > Statements
  2. Select the month
  3. Download PDF statement

Statements include:

  • Total earnings
  • All completed shifts
  • Deductions and fees
  • Withdrawals
  • Running balance

Tax Considerations

Income Reporting

Your OnLocum earnings are taxable income. Keep records of:

  • All earnings received
  • Expenses related to your work
  • Monthly statements from OnLocum

Tax Documents

OnLocum provides:

  • Annual earnings summary (available in January)
  • Withholding tax certificates (where applicable)
  • Transaction records for your accountant

Note

OnLocum does not provide tax advice. Consult a tax professional about your obligations based on your total income and circumstances.

Deductible Expenses

You may be able to deduct work-related expenses:

  • Transportation to shifts
  • Professional certifications
  • Uniform costs
  • Mobile data for the app

Keep receipts for all work-related expenses.

Bonuses and Incentives

Referral Bonuses

Earn extra by inviting colleagues:

  • Share your referral code
  • Bonus paid when they complete their first shift
  • Check Profile > Referrals for current offers

Performance Bonuses

High performers may receive:

  • Shift completion bonuses
  • Rating milestone rewards
  • Loyalty bonuses for consistent work

Surge Pay

During high-demand periods:

  • Some shifts offer increased rates
  • Look for "Surge" or "Premium Rate" badges
  • Great opportunity for extra earnings

Troubleshooting Payments

Payment Not Received

If your payment is delayed:

  1. Check Wallet > Pending for status
  2. Verify the facility has confirmed your hours
  3. Allow 1-3 business days for processing
  4. Contact support if still not received after 5 days

Incorrect Amount

If your payment seems wrong:

  1. Review the shift details in your history
  2. Check the rate and hours worked
  3. Review deductions applied
  4. Use the Dispute option to report discrepancies

Failed Withdrawal

If a withdrawal fails:

  1. Check your payment method details
  2. Ensure sufficient balance
  3. Try a smaller amount
  4. Contact support with the transaction ID

Common Withdrawal Issues

IssueSolution
"Invalid phone number"Verify M-Pesa registration
"Insufficient funds"Check available balance (not pending)
"Bank details incorrect"Re-enter account information
"Daily limit exceeded"Wait 24 hours or contact support

Best Practices

Managing Your Earnings

  1. Withdraw regularly - Don't let large balances sit
  2. Keep records - Download monthly statements
  3. Track deductions - Understand what's taken out
  4. Budget for taxes - Set aside a portion for tax obligations

Maximizing Earnings

  1. Complete your profile - Get access to higher-paying shifts
  2. Maintain high ratings - Premium shifts prefer top workers
  3. Be flexible - Evening/weekend shifts often pay more
  4. Watch for surge pricing - Take advantage of high-demand periods

Contact Support

For payment issues:

Include your:

  • Account email/phone
  • Transaction ID (if applicable)
  • Description of the issue
  • Screenshots if helpful

Next Steps

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