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:
| Deduction | Description | Typical Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Service Fee | OnLocum platform fee | Varies by shift |
| Withholding Tax | Government requirement | 5% (where applicable) |
| Insurance | If applicable | Varies |
Your earnings breakdown shows all deductions clearly before you accept a shift.
Payment Schedule
When You Get Paid
Payments are processed after shift completion:
- Shift Ends - You complete the shift and check out
- Facility Review - Facility confirms your hours (1-3 business days)
- Processing - Payment is processed to your wallet
- Available - Funds appear in your OnLocum wallet
Typical Timeline
| Scenario | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Standard shifts | 1-3 business days after confirmation |
| Same-day withdrawal | Available once funds are in wallet |
| Bank transfer | Additional 1-2 business days |
| Weekend shifts | Processed 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
- Open the OnLocum app
- Tap the Wallet icon (or go to Profile > Wallet)
- 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
M-Pesa (Recommended)
The fastest way to get your money:
- Go to Wallet > Withdraw
- Select M-Pesa
- Confirm your phone number (or enter a different one)
- Enter the amount
- Tap Withdraw
- 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:
- Go to Wallet > Withdraw
- Select Bank Transfer
- Enter or select your bank details:
- Bank name
- Account number
- Account name
- Enter the amount
- Confirm withdrawal
- Receive funds in 1-2 business days
Adding Bank Details
To set up bank withdrawal:
- Go to Profile > Payment Methods
- Tap Add Bank Account
- Enter your details
- Verify with a small test deposit (if required)
- Your account is now saved for future withdrawals
Minimum Withdrawal Amounts
| Method | Minimum | Maximum per Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| M-Pesa | KSh 100 | KSh 150,000 |
| Bank Transfer | KSh 500 | KSh 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
- Go to Wallet > History
- Filter by:
- Date range
- Transaction type (earnings, withdrawals)
- Status (completed, pending, failed)
Downloading Receipts
For each completed shift or withdrawal:
- Find the transaction in your history
- Tap to open details
- Tap Download Receipt or Share
- Save as PDF or share via email/WhatsApp
Monthly Statements
Get a summary of all your earnings:
- Go to Wallet > Statements
- Select the month
- 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:
- Check Wallet > Pending for status
- Verify the facility has confirmed your hours
- Allow 1-3 business days for processing
- Contact support if still not received after 5 days
Incorrect Amount
If your payment seems wrong:
- Review the shift details in your history
- Check the rate and hours worked
- Review deductions applied
- Use the Dispute option to report discrepancies
Failed Withdrawal
If a withdrawal fails:
- Check your payment method details
- Ensure sufficient balance
- Try a smaller amount
- Contact support with the transaction ID
Common Withdrawal Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| "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
- Withdraw regularly - Don't let large balances sit
- Keep records - Download monthly statements
- Track deductions - Understand what's taken out
- Budget for taxes - Set aside a portion for tax obligations
Maximizing Earnings
- Complete your profile - Get access to higher-paying shifts
- Maintain high ratings - Premium shifts prefer top workers
- Be flexible - Evening/weekend shifts often pay more
- Watch for surge pricing - Take advantage of high-demand periods
Contact Support
For payment issues:
- In-app: Wallet > Help
- Email: payments@onlocum.com
- Phone: +254 XXX XXX XXX (business hours)
Include your:
- Account email/phone
- Transaction ID (if applicable)
- Description of the issue
- Screenshots if helpful
Next Steps
- Finding Shifts - Discover more opportunities
- Your Trust Score - Improve for better shifts
- Managing Documents - Keep credentials current