DataAnnotation vs Mercor for AI trainers
DataAnnotation has 113 open AI trainer jobs with a median pay of $83 an hour. Mercor has 287 open jobs with a median of $80 an hour. Both numbers come from live job boards and change every 5 minutes.
DataAnnotation, the worker platform of Surge AI, offers tasks such as rating chatbot answers, checking AI code, and writing hard prompts. You pick your own projects and hours. Mercor places experts on AI lab projects that can end or pause with no notice. DataAnnotation starts with a Starter Assessment of about 1 hour, which you can take only once. Mercor adds a 20-minute AI video interview after a short assessment. DataAnnotation pays through PayPal, about 7 days after the work. Mercor pays every week through Stripe or Wise. On Trustpilot, Mercor has 4.5 and DataAnnotation 3.9. DataAnnotation fits people who want flexible hours. Mercor fits experts who want weekly pay.
Side by side
| Detail | DataAnnotation | Mercor |
|---|---|---|
| Open jobs | 113 | 287 |
| Median pay | $83/hr | $80/hr |
| Middle half | $33–83/hr | $60–100/hr |
| Jobs at $50/hr or more | 70 | 225 |
| Entry level jobs | 1 | 23 |
| Founded | 2020 (Surge AI) | 2023 |
| Founders | Edwin Chen (CEO of Surge AI) | Brendan Foody, Adarsh Hiremath, Surya Midha |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Funding | Self-funded ($1.2B revenue in 2024) | $350M at a $10B valuation (2025) |
| Workers | Independent contractors | Independent contractors |
| Payment | PayPal | Stripe or Wise |
| Paid | 7 days after the work | Weekly |
| Reviews | 3.91,973 on Trustpilot | 4.51,058 on Trustpilot |
Which one is for you
- DataAnnotation pays more per hour overall: a median of $83, against $80 at Mercor.
- Mercor has more open jobs right now: 287, against 113 at DataAnnotation.
- DataAnnotation pays more for coding and languages work.
- Mercor pays more for medical work.
- Only Mercor has voice & video, generalist, and creative jobs open now.
- For a first AI training job, Mercor has more entry level openings: 23, against 1 at DataAnnotation.
Median pay by category
| Category | DataAnnotation | Mercor |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | $83/hr13 jobs | $134/hr26 jobs |
| Coding | $95/hr11 jobs | $80/hr52 jobs |
| Legal | $83/hr8 jobs | $90/hr11 jobs |
| Finance | $83/hr20 jobs | $90/hr25 jobs |
| STEM | $83/hr16 jobs | $84/hr63 jobs |
| Voice & Video | Fewer than 3 | $75/hr15 jobs |
| Generalist | Fewer than 3 | $65/hr35 jobs |
| Creative | Fewer than 3 | $35/hr14 jobs |
| Languages | $33/hr42 jobs | $18/hr11 jobs |
How hiring works at DataAnnotation
- Sign up on dataannotation.tech and take the Starter Assessment for your track, such as general, coding, math, or a language. It takes about 1 hour, and you can take it only once.
- Wait for the result. DataAnnotation says it replies in a few days, but many workers say they waited weeks or months, and some never hear back.
- If you pass, take the longer Core assessment or a specialist test, then verify your identity with a government ID and a selfie.
- Projects then show on your dashboard. Pick the ones you want. More specialist tests unlock better-paid projects.
How hiring works at Mercor
- Create an account and upload your resume.
- Answer a short written or multiple-choice assessment.
- Do a 20-minute AI video interview on a desktop computer. You can retake it up to 3 times.
- After an offer, verify your ID and pass a background check, which takes 1 to 2 weeks.
See 113 DataAnnotation jobsMedian $83/hrSee 287 Mercor jobsMedian $80/hrFrequently asked questions
Which pays more, DataAnnotation or Mercor?
DataAnnotation pays more right now: a median of $83 an hour, against $80 at Mercor. Pay depends on the field, so compare the category you work in.
Which is better for beginners, DataAnnotation or Mercor?
Mercor has more entry level jobs open now: 23, against 1 at DataAnnotation. Entry level jobs ask for no degree, but often for strong writing or a second language.
How do DataAnnotation and Mercor pay?
DataAnnotation pays through PayPal, 7 days after the work. Mercor pays through Stripe or Wise, weekly. See each company page for the details.
What is an AI trainer job?
AI trainers help companies improve AI models. You review and rate model answers, write example answers, find mistakes, or record voice and video data. Experts in law, medicine, coding, languages, and other fields teach models how a professional thinks. Most of this work is remote, flexible, and paid by the hour.
Are AI trainer jobs remote?
Yes. Every job on this site is remote, and most have flexible hours. Some jobs accept people from certain countries only, so check the 🌍 location on each job before you apply.
What skills or degrees do I need?
It depends on the job. Generalist jobs need clear writing and attention to detail. Expert jobs usually ask for a degree or work experience in the field, such as a law license or medical training. Language jobs need native or fluent skill in that language. Coding jobs need real programming experience.
