Meridial vs micro1 for AI trainers
Meridial has 489 open AI trainer jobs with a median pay of $37 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 experts as contractors to train AI. At Meridial, the expert marketplace of Invisible Technologies, experts write and rank AI answers, red-team models, and build training environments. micro1 uses a spoken AI interview with Zara, 20 to 40 minutes. Meridial uses skills tests, some of which watch your camera, microphone, and screen. It then contacts you when a project fits. micro1 pays twice a month through Deel. Meridial pays every two weeks, at a rate set in a Statement of Work. On Trustpilot, micro1 has 4.7 and Meridial 1.5. micro1 fits experts who prefer a spoken interview. Meridial fits experts who want the rate before they sign.
Side by side
| Detail | Meridial | micro1 |
|---|---|---|
| Open jobs | 489 | 264 |
| Median pay | $37/hr | $73/hr |
| Middle half | $36–37/hr | $48–115/hr |
| Jobs at $50/hr or more | 17 | 190 |
| Entry level jobs | 9 | 15 |
| Founded | 2015 (Invisible Technologies) | 2022 |
| Founders | Francis Pedraza (CEO: Matt Fitzpatrick) | Ali Ansari (CEO) |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Funding | $100M at a valuation over $2B (2025) | Over $100M at a $4B valuation (2026) |
| Workers | Independent contractors | Contractors, through Deel |
| Payment | Payment provider | Deel |
| Paid | Every two weeks | Twice a month |
| Reviews | 1.532 on Trustpilot | 4.710,686 on Trustpilot |
Which one is for you
- micro1 pays more per hour overall: a median of $73, against $37 at Meridial.
- Meridial has more open jobs right now: 489, against 264 at micro1.
- Meridial pays more for languages and voice & video work.
- micro1 pays more for legal, medical, finance, STEM, coding, creative, and generalist work.
- Only micro1 has robotics jobs open now.
- For a first AI training job, micro1 has more entry level openings: 15, against 9 at Meridial.
Median pay by category
| Category | Meridial | micro1 |
|---|---|---|
| Legal | $63/hr3 jobs | $110/hr39 jobs |
| Medical | $37/hr19 jobs | $103/hr36 jobs |
| Finance | $36/hr11 jobs | $100/hr22 jobs |
| STEM | $37/hr85 jobs | $85/hr37 jobs |
| Coding | $37/hr57 jobs | $75/hr42 jobs |
| Creative | $37/hr10 jobs | $60/hr15 jobs |
| Generalist | $36/hr31 jobs | $45/hr36 jobs |
| Languages | $36/hr221 jobs | $25/hr22 jobs |
| Voice & Video | $36/hr52 jobs | $18/hr5 jobs |
| Robotics | Fewer than 3 | $14/hr3 jobs |
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.
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 489 Meridial jobsMedian $37/hrSee 264 micro1 jobsMedian $73/hrFrequently asked questions
Which pays more, Meridial or micro1?
micro1 pays more right now: a median of $73 an hour, against $37 at Meridial. Pay depends on the field, so compare the category you work in.
Which is better for beginners, Meridial or micro1?
micro1 has more entry level jobs open now: 15, against 9 at Meridial. Entry level jobs ask for no degree, but often for strong writing or a second language.
How do Meridial and micro1 pay?
Meridial pays through Payment provider, every two weeks. 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.
