DataAnnotation vs Prolific for AI trainers
DataAnnotation has 113 open AI trainer jobs with a median pay of $83 an hour. Prolific has 88 open jobs with a median of $30 an hour. Both numbers come from live job boards and change every 5 minutes.
Both let you choose when you work. DataAnnotation offers only AI work, such as rating chatbot answers. Prolific mixes AI training studies with regular research studies, each paying at least £6 or $8 an hour. DataAnnotation starts with a Starter Assessment of about 1 hour, which you can take only once. Prolific starts with a skills test, often 10 to 15 minutes. Both pay through PayPal: DataAnnotation about 7 days after the work, Prolific when a researcher approves it. On Trustpilot, Prolific has 4.5 and DataAnnotation 3.9. DataAnnotation fits people who want only AI work. Prolific also fits people who like research studies.
Side by side
| Detail | DataAnnotation | Prolific |
|---|---|---|
| Open jobs | 113 | 88 |
| Median pay | $83/hr | $30/hr |
| Middle half | $33–83/hr | $23–50/hr |
| Jobs at $50/hr or more | 70 | 26 |
| Entry level jobs | 1 | 0 |
| Founded | 2020 (Surge AI) | 2014 |
| Founders | Edwin Chen (CEO of Surge AI) | Phelim Bradley (CEO), Ekaterina Damer |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | London, UK |
| Funding | Self-funded ($1.2B revenue in 2024) | $32M Series A (2023, Partech and Oxford Science Enterprises) |
| Workers | Independent contractors | Self-employed participants |
| Payment | PayPal | PayPal |
| Paid | 7 days after the work | Cash out once a day |
| Reviews | 3.91,973 on Trustpilot | 4.515,387 on Trustpilot |
Which one is for you
- DataAnnotation pays more per hour overall: a median of $83, against $30 at Prolific.
- DataAnnotation has more open jobs right now: 113, against 88 at Prolific.
- DataAnnotation pays more for coding, STEM, and languages work.
- Prolific pays more for medical work.
- Only DataAnnotation has legal and finance jobs open now.
- Only Prolific has generalist, creative, and voice & video jobs open now.
- For a first AI training job, DataAnnotation has more entry level openings: 1, against 0 at Prolific.
Median pay by category
| Category | DataAnnotation | Prolific |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | $83/hr13 jobs | $165/hr7 jobs |
| Coding | $95/hr11 jobs | $50/hr7 jobs |
| STEM | $83/hr16 jobs | $64/hr12 jobs |
| Legal | $83/hr8 jobs | Fewer than 3 |
| Finance | $83/hr20 jobs | Fewer than 3 |
| Languages | $33/hr42 jobs | $24/hr42 jobs |
| Generalist | Fewer than 3 | $25/hr9 jobs |
| Creative | Fewer than 3 | $23/hr4 jobs |
| Voice & Video | Fewer than 3 | $18/hr4 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 Prolific
- Apply to an AI training job on Prolific's job board. Each role is posted once per city, and the text is the same in each post.
- Take a short skills test, often 10 to 15 minutes. Some expert roles also check your LinkedIn profile or your professional license.
- If you pass, Prolific invites you to make a participant account. Verify your email, phone, and ID, and add a PayPal account with the same name.
- AI training studies then show in your study list. Be ready for tasks that need up to one hour of work with no breaks.
See 113 DataAnnotation jobsMedian $83/hrSee 88 Prolific jobsMedian $30/hrFrequently asked questions
Which pays more, DataAnnotation or Prolific?
DataAnnotation pays more right now: a median of $83 an hour, against $30 at Prolific. Pay depends on the field, so compare the category you work in.
Which is better for beginners, DataAnnotation or Prolific?
DataAnnotation has more entry level jobs open now: 1, against 0 at Prolific. Entry level jobs ask for no degree, but often for strong writing or a second language.
How do DataAnnotation and Prolific pay?
DataAnnotation pays through PayPal, 7 days after the work. Prolific pays through PayPal, cash out once a day. 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.
