Mercor vs micro1 for AI trainers
Mercor has 287 open AI trainer jobs with a median pay of $80 an hour. micro1 has 264 open jobs with a median of $73 an hour. Both numbers come from live job boards and change every 5 minutes.
Both hire doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other experts as contractors to train AI models. Mercor places them with AI labs such as OpenAI and Anthropic. micro1 works with AI labs and with companies such as Microsoft and Amazon. Mercor asks for a resume, a short written or multiple-choice assessment, and a 20-minute AI video interview. micro1 uses a spoken AI interview with Zara, 20 to 40 minutes. Mercor pays every week through Stripe or Wise. micro1 pays twice a month through Deel. On Trustpilot, micro1 has 4.7 and Mercor 4.5. Mercor fits experts who want weekly pay. micro1 fits experts who prefer a spoken interview.
Side by side
| Detail | Mercor | micro1 |
|---|---|---|
| Open jobs | 287 | 264 |
| Median pay | $80/hr | $73/hr |
| Middle half | $60–100/hr | $48–115/hr |
| Jobs at $50/hr or more | 225 | 190 |
| Entry level jobs | 23 | 15 |
| Founded | 2023 | 2022 |
| Founders | Brendan Foody, Adarsh Hiremath, Surya Midha | Ali Ansari (CEO) |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Funding | $350M at a $10B valuation (2025) | Over $100M at a $4B valuation (2026) |
| Workers | Independent contractors | Contractors, through Deel |
| Payment | Stripe or Wise | Deel |
| Paid | Weekly | Twice a month |
| Reviews | 4.51,058 on Trustpilot | 4.710,686 on Trustpilot |
Which one is for you
- Mercor pays more per hour overall: a median of $80, against $73 at micro1.
- Mercor has more open jobs right now: 287, against 264 at micro1.
- Mercor pays more for medical, voice & video, and generalist work.
- micro1 pays more for legal, finance, creative, and languages work.
- Only micro1 has robotics jobs open now.
- For a first AI training job, Mercor has more entry level openings: 23, against 15 at micro1.
Median pay by category
| Category | Mercor | micro1 |
|---|---|---|
| Medical | $134/hr26 jobs | $103/hr36 jobs |
| Legal | $90/hr11 jobs | $110/hr39 jobs |
| Finance | $90/hr25 jobs | $100/hr22 jobs |
| STEM | $84/hr63 jobs | $85/hr37 jobs |
| Coding | $80/hr52 jobs | $75/hr42 jobs |
| Voice & Video | $75/hr15 jobs | $18/hr5 jobs |
| Generalist | $65/hr35 jobs | $45/hr36 jobs |
| Creative | $35/hr14 jobs | $60/hr15 jobs |
| Languages | $18/hr11 jobs | $25/hr22 jobs |
| Robotics | Fewer than 3 | $14/hr3 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 micro1
- Apply to a job on the micro1 job board.
- Do a spoken AI interview with Zara, 20 to 40 minutes. Human recruiters review it.
- When a project picks you, sign the contract and verify your identity in Deel, then pass a background check.
- Most projects ask for about 15 to 20 hours a week. Hourly projects track time with Hubstaff.
See 287 Mercor jobsMedian $80/hrSee 264 micro1 jobsMedian $73/hrFrequently asked questions
Which pays more, Mercor or micro1?
Mercor pays more right now: a median of $80 an hour, against $73 at micro1. Pay depends on the field, so compare the category you work in.
Which is better for beginners, Mercor or micro1?
Mercor has more entry level jobs open now: 23, against 15 at micro1. Entry level jobs ask for no degree, but often for strong writing or a second language.
How do Mercor and micro1 pay?
Mercor pays through Stripe or Wise, weekly. micro1 pays through Deel, twice a month. 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.
