Mercor vs Meridial for AI trainers
Mercor has 287 open AI trainer jobs with a median pay of $80 an hour. Meridial has 489 open jobs with a median of $37 an hour. Both numbers come from live job boards and change every 5 minutes.
Both hire experts as contractors for AI labs. At Meridial, the expert marketplace of Invisible Technologies, experts write and rank AI answers, red-team models, and build training environments. Mercor asks for a resume, a short assessment, and a 20-minute AI video interview. Meridial uses skills tests, some of which watch your camera, microphone, and screen. It then contacts you when a project fits. Mercor pays every week through Stripe or Wise. Meridial pays every two weeks, at a rate set in a Statement of Work. On Trustpilot, Mercor has 4.5 and Meridial 1.5. Mercor fits experts who want weekly pay. Meridial fits experts who want the rate before they sign.
Side by side
| Detail | Mercor | Meridial |
|---|---|---|
| Open jobs | 287 | 489 |
| Median pay | $80/hr | $37/hr |
| Middle half | $60–100/hr | $36–37/hr |
| Jobs at $50/hr or more | 225 | 17 |
| Entry level jobs | 23 | 9 |
| Founded | 2023 | 2015 (Invisible Technologies) |
| Founders | Brendan Foody, Adarsh Hiremath, Surya Midha | Francis Pedraza (CEO: Matt Fitzpatrick) |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Funding | $350M at a $10B valuation (2025) | $100M at a valuation over $2B (2025) |
| Workers | Independent contractors | Independent contractors |
| Payment | Stripe or Wise | Payment provider |
| Paid | Weekly | Every two weeks |
| Reviews | 4.51,058 on Trustpilot | 1.532 on Trustpilot |
Which one is for you
- Mercor pays more per hour overall: a median of $80, against $37 at Meridial.
- Meridial has more open jobs right now: 489, against 287 at Mercor.
- Mercor pays more for medical, legal, finance, STEM, coding, voice & video, and generalist work.
- Meridial pays more for languages work.
- For a first AI training job, Mercor has more entry level openings: 23, against 9 at Meridial.
Median pay by category
| Category | Mercor | Meridial |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | $134/hr26 jobs | $37/hr19 jobs |
| Legal | $90/hr11 jobs | $63/hr3 jobs |
| Finance | $90/hr25 jobs | $36/hr11 jobs |
| STEM | $84/hr63 jobs | $37/hr85 jobs |
| Coding | $80/hr52 jobs | $37/hr57 jobs |
| Voice & Video | $75/hr15 jobs | $36/hr52 jobs |
| Generalist | $65/hr35 jobs | $36/hr31 jobs |
| Creative | $35/hr14 jobs | $37/hr10 jobs |
| Languages | $18/hr11 jobs | $36/hr221 jobs |
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.
How hiring works at Meridial
- Create a profile on meridial.ai, list your skills, and confirm your identity with your camera. You need clear written English and a computer with 8GB of RAM.
- Apply to open projects and take the skills tests. Reviewers say some tests watch your camera, microphone, and screen.
- Meridial compares your profile with its projects and contacts you when one fits. Joining does not guarantee work.
- Sign a Statement of Work that shows the rate and the expected length. Some projects also need a background check.
See 287 Mercor jobsMedian $80/hrSee 489 Meridial jobsMedian $37/hrFrequently asked questions
Which pays more, Mercor or Meridial?
Mercor pays more right now: a median of $80 an hour, against $37 at Meridial. Pay depends on the field, so compare the category you work in.
Which is better for beginners, Mercor or Meridial?
Mercor has more entry level jobs open now: 23, against 9 at Meridial. Entry level jobs ask for no degree, but often for strong writing or a second language.
How do Mercor and Meridial pay?
Mercor pays through Stripe or Wise, weekly. Meridial pays through Payment provider, every two weeks. 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.
